Memorial Day is a public holiday celebrated every year on the last Monday in May in honor of the men and women who have died while serving our country.
On this day, ceremonies to honor the men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces who gave their lives to protect the nation's freedoms will be held throughout South Florida.
This year it will be on Monday May 28, 2018.
Federal government offices are closed on Memorial Day.
Closed
Government Offices
Schools
Post Offices
Banks
Public Libraries
Open
Shopping centers and malls
Grocery Stores
Restaurants
Federal, State, Regional Parks
Public Transportation
Memorial Day vs. Veteran's Day? Memorial Day honors those who have died while serving our country while Veteran's Day, celebrated on November 11, honors all those men and women who have served in the armed forces.
The 2018 Memorial Day weekend will bring back once again the National Salute to America's Heroes initiative, and some fantastic events are in store at this two-day extravaganza, including an exciting Air & Sea Show, live entertainment and stages at the Music Explosion, and stunning fireworks displays.
But that's not all, Memorial Day ceremonies are held throughout Dade and Broward Counties, and with Memorial Day signaling the "unofficial" start of the summer vacation season, many of our local attractions will also be paying tribute to our heroes.
Here's what's happening this Memorial Day Weekend in Miami:
- Miami Beach Air & Sea Show, Music Explosion and Fireworks Extravaganza - May 26 - 27, 2018
- PAMM Memorial Day BBQ - TBA
- Flamingo Gardens Memorial Day KidzFest - May 26 - 28, 2018
- Urban Beach Week 2018 - May 25 - 28, 2018
- Memorial Day Weekend Concerts and Sports
- George Lopez - Saturday May 26, 2018 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
- Miami Marlins meet the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park - May 26 - 27, 2018
- Things to Do on Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial Day Weekend: Miami Beach Air & Sea Show, Music Explosion and Fireworks Extravaganza
There is no better time to pay tribute to our military, first responders and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country than Memorial Day Weekend.
In this spirit, a fantastic event as part of the National Salute to America's Heroes initiative will take place on our sandy shores with all five branches of the military represented: The Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marines and the Coast Guard as well as our police, firefighters and first responder agencies.
This is the highlight event of the weekend and one you should not miss right on the sands of Miami Beach...
When? Saturday and Sunday May 26 - 27, 2018
Where? Along the shores of Miami Beach, main event site and best viewing for the Air and Sea Show is between 11th and 15th Street.
Public viewing areas are from 1st to 10th streets and 15th to 23rd Streets. See event site map here.
There will be many designated Park and Ride locations in and around the City of Miami where you can leave your car and ride a free shuttle to the event. Do not try to park in Miami Beach this weekend!
How Much? FREE from the public viewing areas on the beach on the North and South ends of the main event site. Tickets available for hospitality chalets, family seating area, VIP clubs and hotels packages, see below.
The Air & Sea Show:
Jets will be flying overhead as powerboats zip along the shore. This two-day spectacular event will feature civilian aerobatic acts, offshore powerboat racing demonstrations, extreme water sports and more, all on the beautiful shores of Miami Beach.
- Sea Events including Waterski, wakeboard, jetski, stunt kite, hang gliders, hover boards and jet surf board demonstrations, offshore powerboat racing...
- U.S. Marine Corps Beach Invasion
- Air Events including fly byes, precision exercises and demos including rescue demos, special ops, the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs Parachute Team, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds Squadron and many, many, MANY more.
When? Sea Events: 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Air Events: 11:30 am - 3:30 pm
Where? Along the beach, best viewing for the Air and Sea Show is between 11th and 15th Street.
The Air Show landing zone is between 13th and 15th Streets.
Watching from a boat: Allowed but observe the safety zone where No vessel or person will be permitted to enter without obtaining permission from the Captain of the Port Miami or a designated representative. The zone is to be enforced from 8:30 a.m. on Friday through 5:00 p.m. on Sunday and consists of the 0.5 mile stretch of waters of the Atlantic Ocean from Collins Park to South Pointe.
Display Village:
This is where you can see our military technology up close and personal along with a variety of interactive displays, high tech demonstrations, plus merchandise and food vendors. There will be meet-and-greets with servicemen and women and many family-fun activities including kids yoga, themed arts and crafts, face painting, relay races, a dance-a-thon, themed bingo, team scavenger hunts and a letter writing station to servicemen and women.
This year's Action Zone will feature a Stihl Timberworks Lumberjack Show, a Firefighters Combat Challenge and a Monster Motocross Demonstration.
When? 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where? Along Ocean Drive Between 10th and 14th Streets
K.I.D.S. Fun Zone will be located between 12th and 13th Streets.
How Much? FREE
The Music Explosion:
This year's program features a fantastic line up with musical artists Kent Jones, MAX, Shaggy and hosted by DJ Irie. In addition, there will be performances by the U.S. Air Force "Max Impact" band, and the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team. To cap off the first day of celebrations, the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team will descend and kick off the fireworks extravaganza on Saturday.
When? Saturday May 26, 2018 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where? Inside the Display Village. Stage is set up at the southern end of the event site between 11th and 12th Streets
How Much? FREE
The Fireworks:
From the deck of a U.S. Army LSV Landing Craft, a few hundred yards offshore, a spectacular fireworks show will be launched over Miami Beach following the Music Explosion on Saturday May 26, 2018.
Latest news and updates on the Fireworks Extravaganza
More Info
- Official Site: http://usasalute.com
- Download the App: AppStore | Android |
- Live broadcast on NewsRadio 610 WIOD
- Livestream via the iHeartRadio App
- USA Salute FB Page
Practical Tips
- Plan ahead, get there early, have an exit plan
- Ocean Drive will be closed to traffic, and a traffic loop will be in effect throughout the weekend Details to follow, check their FB page for updates.
- Bring sun protection, beach chairs, water, cameras and phones
- DO NOT bring glass and styrofoam, straws, drones, lasers, helium balloons
- Know The Rules: www.respectthescene.com
PAMM Memorial Day BBQ
Perez Art Museum Miami honors our heroes with a special Memorial Day BarBQue and Celebration on the terrace overlooking Biscayne Bay.
There will be live music and barbecue specials on the terrace, and perhaps a special appearance by Coast Guard Air Station Miami as in prior years TBA Admission is free for all active duty military personnel, veterans and their families.
When? TBA Museum opens at 10:00 am, Memorial Day celebration from 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Where? Perez Art Museum at 1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
How Much? TBA, Last year Included with Museum Admission: Adults $16, Children and Youth (7-18) $12, Seniors +62 $12.
Free for PAMM members. BarBQ specials and beer and wine available for purchase and not included in admission.
More Info: Memorial Day BBQ at PAMM
Flamingo Gardens Memorial Day KidzFest
KidzFest is a great day for kids presented by Nicklaus Children's Hospital Broward Outpatient Centers. The annual festival features complimentary pony rides (10am to 4pm), butterfly encounter, animal presentations, kids games and activitities, arts and crafts, bounce house, music and live entertainment, plus a few surprises!
When? May 26 - 28, 2018 - 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Where? Flamingo Gardens at 3750 South Flamingo Road, Davie, FL 33330
How Much? Adults $19.95 Children (3 - 11) $12.95 Discounts for Seniors, Armed Services, College Students. Narrated Tram Tour is included with admission.
More Info and tickets: Memorial Day KidzFest at Flamingo Gardens
Urban Beach Week
Urban Beach Week which is also known as Black Beach Week started back in the 1990's as a small urban fashion show. It was actually called Urban Fashion Week in the beginning.
Since then, the event has gradually grown to this massive outdoor party event in South Beach over Memorial Day Weekend.
This is the ultimate beach party for the Hip Hop culture that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. Yes, that's right, hundreds of thousands over the long weekend.
What is it? This is not an officially sponsored event by the city, instead, it's a series of events... concerts, parties, pool parties, contests, fashion shows, celebrity pool parties... all organized by various private venues throughout South Beach, many just pop up and spread out on social media.
As you can expect, streets are overflowing and plenty of alcohol is consumed. Expect street closures and re-routed traffic patterns. Needless to say, this is NOT a family event. If you are heading over please act responsibly and observe the special regulations in effect as there will be zero tolerance for violations. This year certain items are banned on the beach including large flotation devices, coolers and tents and amplified music.
When? May 25 - 28, 2018
Where? Throughout South Beach
How Much? This is an outdoor event, no "admission" per se.
More Info: www.blackbeachweek.com
Memorial Day Weekend Entertainment and Sports
The Marlins and the Washington Nationals at Marlins Ballpark on Memorial Day Weekend!
Welcome Washington Nationals!
When? Friday - Sunday May 25 - 27, 2018
Where? Marlins Park, 501 Marlins Way (NW 16th Avenue), Miami, Florida 33125
How Much? Individual game tickets can be had for as low as $11.
Fun Things To Do This Memorial Day Weekend
Here's a handful of fun things to do in Miami and check the offers at the bottom for some great discounts and limited-time offers.
Snorkeling The Reefs
This is after all the "unofficial" start of the summer vacation season!
Waters should be beckoning, it's time to strap the mask and snorkel and head out to our colorful reefs!
The third largest coral reef in the world (after Australia's and Belize's) lays right
at our doorstep.
›› Miami Snorkeling Options, Tips, Boat Tours, FAQs
›› Best Spots to Snorkel from the Beach around Miami
Flyboarding
The newest craze in watersports, this is something you just HAVE to try!
With the right instruction, (which we had and we tell you all about it) you can be up and flying in no time and it's a feeling like no other...
There are a few places in Miami where flyboarding is available as well as many operators that will come to you, just agree on a time
and place, the ultimate in convenience, reservations are of course a must.
›› More about Flyboarding in Miami
Cruising Around On A Segway
This has to be one of the funnest ways to sightsee. There are many tours that take you through the heart of the Art Deco District in South Beach, along South Pointe, the Miami Riverwalk... or simply rent a segway at one of the many outlets throughout the city and explore on your own!
New to Segwaying? (is that a verb?) No worries, friendly guides provide all the instruction and equipment for you to
ramble through the popular spots safely and with confidence and make sure everyone has a good time.
›› Ride a Segway in Miami
Jetskiing in Miami: The rules have changed, if you were born after January 1, 1988, read this!
There are new rules for operating Personal Watercrafts such as Jet Skis and Wave Runners. Per Florida law, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 must take a boating test. Luckily, the courses can be taken online so anyone that needs to meet this requirement can do so before arriving in Miami.
Here's a list of approved Boating Safety Education courses. The online course offered at www.boatus.org is free, others charge a small fee between $14.99 and $29.95.
And make sure you know the rules, there are a lot of no wake zones for the manatees as well as in the busy areas.
Private Sailing Charter For Up To Six
Your Own Private Sail Boat For A Fantastic Tour On Biscayne Bay
Itineraries can be customized and you can choose to stop at an island or "No Name Harbor" where calm waters makes it a great smooth sail. The choice is yours!
Refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages are included. You can bring your own champagne and meals or request a catered lunch/dinner for an extra fee.
Included is services of a professional photographer who will capture memories for you to bring home.
How Much? from $425 for a 2-hour private sailing trip on the bay
When? Departures 10:00 am, 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm, 5:00 pm
Where? Cruises depart from Dinner Key Marina
›› More Info and Booking Private Sailing Trip in Miami.
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