Memorial Day marks an important annual celebration, the day America honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. It’s also the unofficial start to summer! Here is a round-up of family-friendly things to do over Memorial Day Weekend to celebrate the end of school and ways to honor our fallen soldiers.
This list is generously sponsored by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. This Memorial Day, The Cowboy is hosting the 31st Annual Chuck Wagon Festival and your family is invited to experience a celebration of Western and Native American history, art and cuisine. This all-ages festival features Native American and chuck wagon food samples, artisan demonstrations, a petting zoo, archery, hands-on crafts, plus live entertainment! Find more details below.
All weekend
BRICKLIVE Animal Paradise at the OKC Zoo at the Oklahoma City Zoo (2000 Remington Pl) features endangered animal statues made with more than one million toy bricks. This one-of-a-kind exhibit will be located within the Zoo’s butterfly garden area and is designed to connect wildlife fans to many of the planet’s endangered species while “building” an appreciation for conservation and biodiversity. $5 plus zoo admission; kids under 2, free. 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
May 24-29
OKC Dodgers vs Reno River Cats at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (2 Mickey Mantle Dr). There will be post-game fireworks on Friday. $14 & up. Game times are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday at 7:05 p.m.; Saturday, 6:05 p.m.; Sunday, 2:05 p.m.
Disney’s The Lion King at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker Ave) features visual artistry, unforgettable music and uniquely theatrical storytelling. Best suited for ages 6 & up. $36 & up. Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2 & 8 p.m.; Sunday, 1 & 6:30 p.m.
May 26
FREE Summer Concert Series at Hafer Park (1034 S. Bryant Ave, Edmond) features a performance by local and regional artists. Please bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Snow cones will be sold during the event. 6:15-9 p.m. ‘
May 26-28
You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown at Pollard Theatre (120 W Harrison Ave, Guthrie) features a fresh approach to the 1967 classic based on the beloved comic strip. Sally Brown joins Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder and Snoopy in this charming revue of vignettes and songs. Two new songs, “Beethoven Day” and “My New Philosophy,” have been added alongside the original twelve numbers. Best suited for ages 7 & up. Adults, $35; kids (12 & under), $25. 8 p.m.
May 27
FREE 4th Friday Films at Charles J Johnson Central Park (Mid-America Blvd, Midwest City) features yard games, a bone dig with Skeletons Museum of Osteology, a screening of Jurassic Park and more. 7 p.m.
May 27 & 29
Sky Rink at Scissortail Park (801 S Robinson Ave) features an outdoor skating surface for both traditional quad skates as well as inline skates. Skates are available to rent, but personal skates are always welcome. $8, includes skates; Members skate free. Friday, noon-10 p.m.; Sunday, 1-7 p.m.
May 28
FREE Community Bike Ride at Yukon City Hall (500 W Main St, Yukon) features a fun ride. After the 2-mile ride, enjoy refreshments, snacks, door prizes, and other fun activities. 9-10 a.m.
FREE Bethany 66 Festival in Bethany (38th Street north to 39th Expressway, between Peniel and Asbury, Bethany) features live entertainment, arts & crafts booths, children’s activities including a Princess & Action Hero Parade and a car, motorcycle & truck show. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
FREE Memorial Day Celebration at Bickham-Rudkin Park (379 E. 33rd St, Edmond) features ceremony and commemorative ruck march as well as displays from veteran support groups and Scars & Stripes Coffee. Community leaders and VMAC members will take part in the recognition ceremony, which will include a presentation of colors by the Edmond North High School Junior ROTC color guard and conclude with a walk/march around the park trails. 10-11:30 a.m.
FREE Veterans Car Show at the Norman Veterans Center (1776 E Robinson St, Norman) features one-of-a-kind classic cars and includes two classes of cars from before 1950 and after. Food vendors will also be on hand. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Make Ready Market in Midtown (220 NW 13th St) features an outdoor market with an assortment of locally made goods including clothing, flowers, skincare products, vintage, jewelry, art, pottery, food. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Beats & Bites Festival at Riverwind Casino (1544 W State Hwy 9, Norman) features a concert by Night Ranger & Starship, opening act Time Machine, plus food trucks and more. $5. 5-11 p.m.
Rodeo Opry Live at the Stockyards Central Event Center (2312 Exchange Ave) features a concert with family-friendly live music. Concessions will be available for purchase during the show. All ages welcome. $20. 7-9 p.m.
May 28-29
Chuck Wagon Festival at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63rd St) features a celebration of Western and Native American history, art and cuisine for all ages. Visitors can also enjoy artisan demonstrations, Western reenactors, archery, craft stations, country and western dancing, live music performed by Rodeo Opry and more. All ages welcome. $15; kids (12 & under) & museum members, free. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
FREE United the People Powwow at Scissortail Park (415 S Robinson Ave) features an outdoor festival with singing and dance contests, food trucks and more. All ages welcome. Saturday, 3 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m.
May 28-30
Paseo Arts Festival in the Paseo District (3022 Paseo St) features visual artists selling original artwork in a wide variety of media, from painting and photography to wood and jewelry, plus live entertainment and a children’s area. Free to attend. Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., music till 10 p.m.; Monday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
May 29
Family Skate Night at SkateGalaxyOKC (5800 NW 36th St) features basic skate rental and family pizza packages. $6-$29. 6-9 p.m.
May 30
FREE Memorial Day Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park (1900 SE 4th St, Moore) features a memorial service honoring a veteran that has passed this year. 10 a.m.
FREE Memorial Day Ceremony at the 45th Infantry Division Museum (2145 NE 36th St) features a tribute to the men and women who have served in our Nations Armed Forces and honor those men and women who have paid the ultimate price in service to their country. Ceremony highlights include a helicopter flyover, massing of the colors, patriotic music and distinguished guest speakers. 10 a.m.
Here are six things to do with kids this Memorial Day:
Take a moment to remember
Observe the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day. Americans are asked to stop for one full minute to remember those who have died in service to their country.
Pay it forward.
Write letters to soldiers. Operation Gratitude connects families with a variety of ways to support deployed troops, first responders and emergency medical personnel. Check out their virtual volunteerism page and honor a fallen soldier by paying it forward to those serving our country today.
Explore Oklahoma’s impact on military history at the 45th Infantry Museum.
The museum houses an extensive collection of military artifacts recounting events from the Revolutionary War to Desert Storm as well as fascinating objects narrating Oklahoma’s own Thunderbirds, the 45th Infantry Division of the National Guard.
The museum is open with social distancing precautions and has artifacts both indoors and outdoors. Some of the larger pieces include tanks, aircraft and large guns.
Take a virtual tour of a memorial.
Even if you are able to visit the hallowed grounds of the nation’s most famous war memorials in person, Google Arts & Culture lets you take a 360-degree tour of the National Mall in Washington D.C. highlighting the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial.
Plan your own party at home!
Craft your own red, white and blue masterpiece using upcycled items you have around the house. And, host a backyard barbeque, complete with a festive berry dessert that kids can make.
Connect with family.
Meet up for a picnic at a local park and enjoy an afternoon playing yard games, tossing a Frisbee or a friendly game of bocce ball. Midtown has a community gathering space dedicated to the game and the lawn at Kerr Park is perfect for a bring-your-own round. Check out this article highlighting outdoor urban adventures.
Looking for even more summer-time things to do with kids? Check out our dozens of resources to help you plan your perfect summer including our 100 Days of Summer feature filled with at-home activities and safe adventures away from home!
