Memorial Day Spotlight:

Celebrate 56 hours of free admission to the new Barnes Foundation on the Parkway this Memorial Day Weekend. Celebrations span the 3-day holiday with a documentary screening, orchestra performances, craft sessions, meditative yoga, and horticulture walking tours. Longwood Gardens invites you to their Summer BBQ and Fireworks. Reservations recommended. Buy tickets online or by calling 610-388-1000. Additional fees apply for phone orders.

Fireworks:

New Hope kicks off their free Friday Night Fireworks just in time for Memorial Day. Admission is free and runs throughout the summer.  Show begins at 9:30 PM over the Delaware River. Viewing takes place on the New Hope – Lambertville Bridge or anywhere with a good view.

It’s a Memorial Day Picnic on Sunday at Sesame Place with fireworks. For the picnic, park admission ticket is required along with reservations. The BBQ includes buffet and character appearances and runs from 6 – 7 pm. Fireworks are for every attending family of the park and begin at 9 pm and run 15 minutes.

Parades on Memorial Day:

Media’s Memorial Day Parade takes place at 10 am on State Street.

Radnor Township’s Parade begins at the Radnor Financial Center to South Wayne Avenue and down Lancaster. Parade starts at 9: 45 am.

West Chester’s Memorial Day Celebrations kick off at 10 am at the Union Day School and continues to Brookside Cemetery on West Chester Road.

In Delaware County, Springfield starts their parade at 10 am near Veteran’s Memorial Park on Springfield Road; winding through Saxer Avenue to the WWII Memorial at St. Francis Church then stopping at the Township Building.

Doylestown’s Memorial Day also includes a Pancake Breakfast at the Masonic Hall.Parade begins at Central Bucks West and winds its way to State Street in downtown Doylestown. Arrive between 9 – 9:30 am.

Philadelphia honors veterans at Laurel Hill Cemetary. The traditional Decoration Day service of the Grand Army Meade Post #1 will be recreated at historic Laurel Hill Cemetery, the site of the first Memorial Day Observance in Philadelphia in 1868. A wreath-laying, speeches and honor guards will enhance the ceremony. Beer and full refreshments will be served after the service, and tours of Laurel Hill will be available. Ceremony begins at 12 pm, Sunday.

Lower Merion hosts their parade in Ardmore beginning at the Merion Fire Company. Parade begins at 10 am.

Hatboro honors veterans with a parade and picnic with their Summer Fun Festival and Carnival. The parade will start at 4:00 PM and will travel York Road to Byberry Rd and ending at the festival grounds.  The parade will feature participants from local VFWs, Scouting groups, dance groups, fire trucks, bands and decorative float competition.

Even More Festive Events:

3 Cheers for the Red, White, and Blue arrives at the Garden State Discovery Museum. Enjoy crafts, flowers and songs plus quiet fireworks in the theater with a colorful patriotic theme for a Memorial Day. Cost is $11 per person. Event runs Saturday – Monday; 11 am – 3 pm.

The Devon Horse Show is in full swing, and this year the show is offering family and children days. On Memorial Day, the Pooch Parade kicks off and is free to the first 300 children. Parade begins at 1 pm. Family Day is Tuesday, May 29^th and includes guided back-barn tours and specials at the Fair and Midway.

Breakfast with Ben begins this weekend at the Independence Visitors Center. This interactive breakfast with Dr. Franklin includes one-on-one time to ask questions, pose for pictures, and breakfast. Event runs every Saturday through the summer from 9:30 – 10: 30 am. Cost is $20 per adult, $10 for children 3 – 11.

The National Constitution Center hosts a weekend of celebrations including a daily flag ceremony, a birthday celebration for Pennsylvania’s Liberty Tree, Patriotic Karaoke, American flag and wreath craft tables and more. Events run 9:30 am – 5 pm throughout the weekend.

It’s Memorial Day Fun at Franklin Square. Hear the true stories of history right where they happened at the renowned Once Upon A Nation storytelling benches. Step back in time on an Adventure Tour. Explore the amusement oasis of Franklin Square with Philly-themed Mini Golf and the Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel. And for Memorial Day, they will have fun and games throughout the day. Carousel and mini golf are ticketed, crafts and play are free.  Event runs 12 – 3 pm.

The National Liberty Museums hosts free Crafts for Kids beginning this Sunday. The Museum, dedicated to preserving America’s heritage of freedom by fostering good character, civic responsibility and respect for all people, has 78 exhibits, 129 works of contemporary art and more that celebrate diversity. Craft Sundays run throughout the summer, admission is $2 - $7 with children under 5 free.

Camden Children’s Garden welcomes families to their Fit and Fun Family Festival. This festival will highlight easy and fun ideas for a healthy lifestyle, with a focus on simple physical activities and nutritious eating. Day includes crafts, a veggie make-n-take planting activity and other educational activities that support healthy living. Festival runs Saturday and Sunday, cost is $6. 

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