​2015 Memorial Day Weekend Events

Though three days at home sounds quite relaxing, you won’t want to spend this long weekend cooped up at home. Whether you’re looking to honor those who served our country, jam out to some tunes at an outdoor festival, or take the kids out to a ballgame, we have you covered this Memorial Day.

TRADITIONAL:

MAY 23, 25: NAVY MEMORIAL EVENTS
United States Navy Memorial, Naval Heritage Center, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. Sat. 11 a.m., Mon. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. 202-737-2300. The U.S. Navy Memorial hosts wreath-laying ceremonies with Rolling Thunder, the Fleet Reserve Association, and the Navy Band and Ceremonial Guard. Veterans will also share personal stories and writings as part of the Veterans Writing Project.

MAY 23-25: CHESAPEAKE BEACH STARS & STRIPES FESTIVAL
Chesapeake Beach Veterans’ Memorial Park, 8200 Bayside Rd., Chesapeake Beach. Times vary. Free. 410-257-2230. This weekend-long celebration begins with an opening ceremony featuring keynote speaker Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan, followed by music from The Hubcaps, an oldies nostalgia band, and a family fun day on Sunday.

MAY 25: MEMORIAL DAY
Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens, 200 E. Padonia Rd., Timonium. 10 a.m. Free. 410-666-0490. Commemorate America’s fallen heroes with keynote speaker Col. Tom Manion, music by the 229th Maryland Army National Guard Band, and a 21-gun salute.

MAY 25: ANNAPOLIS MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
Amos Garrett Blvd., Annapolis. 10 a.m. Free. 410-263-7996. Historic Annapolis’ annual patriotic parade marches around Church Circle and down Main Street, with a memorial ceremony in Susan Campbell Park.

FAMILY:

MAY 22-24: CHESTERTOWN TEA PARTY FESTIVAL
Downtown Chestertown, locations, times, and prices vary. 410-778-0416. Explore the history of this 1774 Eastern Shore tea ban with a weekend block party, colonial re-enactments, races, a parade, and walking tours in this tiny, waterfront town. Don’t miss classic Chesapeake Bay street food, with crab cakes, clam strips, and funnel cakes, as well as a beer stand near the town dock.

MAY 23: GUARDING THE RAILROAD
B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt St. 12 p.m. Free-$18. 410-752-2490. Head to the B&O and learn about the importance of railroads during the Civil War. Kids can also try on uniforms and equipment that soldiers would have worn, including leather gear, haversack, and canteens.

MAY 23: PARTY ON THE POINT
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, 213 N. Talbot St., St. Michaels. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free-$15. 410-745-2916. Join the maritime museum in celebrating 50 years on the bay, with a new exhibition, boat rides, live music, and family activities for all ages.

May 24: EDGAR ALLEN POE HOUSE & MUSEUM REOPENING
203 N. Amity St.. Sat. & Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free-$5. 410-396-7932. This macabre museum reopens for the season and pays homage to Baltimore’s iconic author and poet. Located where Poe wrote some of his early works, like “MS. Found in a Bottle,” “Morella,” and “Serenade,” the house will be closed nevermore—or at least not until December.

MAY 25: ORIOLES MEMORIAL DAY GAME
Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 333 W. Camden St. 1:35 p.m. $10-56. 888-848-2473. Support the O’s as they take on the Houston Astros, but be sure to get there early, as the first 20,000 fans snag a star-spangled Orioles barbeque apron. We can’t think of a better way to spend a Monday off than a game at Camden Yards and then some home grilling in your new apron. Perhaps you can be the next Boog Powell.

FUN:

May 21-31: BALTIMORE ROCK OPERA SOCIETY
Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. Times vary. $15, 410-276-1651. Baltimore Rock Opera Society (BROS) and Creative Alliance join forces for two epic weekends of rock music and great performances. The Rock Opera 6-Pack will showcase six original shows over the course of two weeks, but there are two shows we’re looking forward to in particular: Revival, a show filled with faith and gospel music and RATS!, dedicated to our beloved rodents.

MAY 23-24: BREW AT THE ZOO
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, 1876 Mansion House Dr. 1-7 p.m. $25-65. 410-396-7102. Spend your weekend at the zoo and indulge in unlimited beer samplings from a number of local breweries, including classics like The Brewer’s Art and newcomers like Monument City Brewing, with live music, food, craft vendors, and wine for the beer-averse. Tickets also include a commemorative glass and all day admission to the zoo.

MAY 23-24: GOOD LIFE FEASTIVAL
Boordy Vineyards, 12820 Long Green Pike, Hydes. 12-5 p.m. Free-$10. 410-592-5015. Tucked away in the countryside of Hydes, Boordy Vineyards is throwing festival full of wine tastings, local food, and bluegrass music. Escape the heat with an ice cream scoop from Keyes Creamery and enjoy the beautiful landscape.

MAY 24: SOWEBO ARTS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
1100 Hollins St. 12-8 p.m. Free. 410-566-8368. The annual Hollins Market neighborhood is celebrating Southwest Baltimore with its annual festival of music, art, and eats. Hear local bands, like Alexander Peters and the Roosters, Bumpin Uglies, Tim Kaye, and Sister Ex. Admire or purchase art, like pottery and photography. And don’t miss out on the food, with BBQ, Thai, and dessert, to name a few.

MAY 21-24: DELFEST
Allegany County Fairgrounds, 11400 Moss Ave., Cumberland. Thurs. 4:30 p.m.-Mon. 12 p.m. $25-195.50. Want to branch out from the city this Memorial Day Weekend, but hate beach traffic? Head the other way to Cumberland for DelFest, the four-day bluegrass festival in the woods of Western Maryland that features big-name headliners like Old Crow Medicine Show and The Del McCoury Band, as well as other awesome acts like Jason Isbell and Trampled By Turtles. Take advantage of the arts and craft fair, food and drink vendors, and kids play area, too.

May 21-24: MARYLAND DEATHFEST
Locations and times vary. $25-175. Maryland’s premiere metal festival boasts more than 80 bands performing at three different venues including Rams Head Live, Soundstage, and the Edison Lot. This intense music fest fuses metal, thrash, doom, grindcore, hardcore, and black metal bands from around the world (like Primordial from Dublin), as well as just down the street (like Iron Man).

ATHLETIC:

MAY 23: THE COLOR RUN SHINE TOUR 5K
Camden Yards, 333 W. Camden St. 9 a.m. & 12 p.m. $50-55. 855-662-6567. The Color Run steps it up a notch with this year’s all-new “Shine Tour,” where you’ll not only be paint-bombed, but doused in glitter while running the streets of Baltimore. They’re also partnering with The Cool Kids Campaign, which works to help pediatric oncology patients and their families in any way they can, academically, socially, and emotionally.

MAY 23: MEMORIAL DAY MURPH CHALLNEGE
The Maryland Athletic Club and Wellness Center Harbor East, 655 S. President St. 12 p.m. Free. 410-625-5000. This national military-inspired challenge is an annual fundraiser for the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation, which awards scholarships to students who uphold the fallen Navy SEAL’s legacy. Starting with a one-mile run, participants must complete 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 200 squats, and another one-mile run, all in less than 50 minutes.

MAY 24: 20th ANNUAL MCVET 5K AND 10K
War Memorial Plaza, 101 N. Gay St. 7:30 a.m. $25-35. 410-576-9626. Participate in a 5K or 10K, which begins at the War Memorial Building and winds through the city with a spectacular view of the downtown skyline. The race benefits the Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training, which supports homeless and in-need veterans, and will be followed by an awards ceremony with medals, trophies, cash prizes, and music.