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.
May 21-26
OKC Baseball Club vs Reno Aces at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (2 Mickey Mantle Dr). $12-$38. Tuesday-Friday, 7:05 p.m.; Saturday, 6:05 p.m. and Sunday, 2:05 p.m. Fireworks will follow Fridays game and on Sunday kids can run the bases.
OKC Broadway presents Mamma Mia at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker Ave). Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, a tale of love, friendship, and identity is beautifully told through the timeless hits of ABBA. $30 & up. Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2 & 8 p.m.; Sunday, 1:30 & 7 p.m.
May 23-25
Laser Light Shows at Science Museum Oklahoma (2020 Remington Pl). Colorful lasers are set to hit music from various genres and iconic artists appealing to all ages. Benefits the new Love’s Planetarium. Concessions will be available nightly. $22.50. See website for schedule.
May 24
FAMily Day: Amazing Animals at First Americans Museum (659 First Americans Blvd) features activities and demonstrations that reveal the cultural significance of animals and promote wildlife conscientiousness and care. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Adults, $8; kids (grades 8-12), $6; kids (K-7), $4. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.FREE Fourth Friday Block Party in the West Village District (W Sheridan Ave) features a block party with market vendors, live music, art exhibits, open houses and giveaway from participating businesses. 6-10 p.m.
FREE Outdoor Movie Series at Lions Park (450 S Flood Ave, Norman) features an outdoor screening of Barbie. The movie will begin at sundown and art activities begin at 7 p.m.
FREE Concert at Scissortail Park (415 S Robinson Ave) features an outdoor concert by Jon Muq with special guest Casii Stephan. Guests are encouraged to bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs. 8 p.m.
May 24-26
GalaxyCon at Oklahoma City Convention Center (100 Mick Cornett Dr) features celebrities, artists, writers, voice actors, cosplayers, entertainers, creators, wrestlers, and fan groups, panelists, celebrating comic books, pop culture, sci-fi, fantasy, anime, gaming, cosplay and more. $40 & up. See website for schedule.
May 25
Breakfast with the Animals at the OKC Zoo (2000 Remington Pl) features a build-your-own breakfast taco bar, pancakes, potatoes and eggs. Guests also get to meet OKC Zoo caretakers and ambassador animals. $32-$55. 9-11 a.m.
Oklahoma Bicycle Society’s Donut Ride begins at Will Rogers Park Tennis Center Parking Lot (nw 36th & Portland). Enjoy a casual, 11-mile ride suitable for beginners and young riders. Free to attend. 9-11:30 a.m.
FREE Party in the Park at Central Park (700 S Broadway, Moore) features inflatables, yard games and free snow cones. 9 a.m.-noon.
FREE Memorial Day Celebration at Bickham-Rudkin Park (379 E 33rd St) features a 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 Explore A Shore at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial Rd) features several stations that explore how water shapes Oklahoma and impacts animals, big and small. 10 a.m.-1 p.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. 10 a.m. – 3 p.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.
Edmond History Victorian Garden Party at Rodkey House (410 S Littler Ave, Edmond) features a tea service and tales of life from the early 1900s. Preregister. Time-period costumes are welcome. $30. Two sessions available: 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.
FREE Guided Gallery Tours at Oklahoma Contemporary (11 NW 11th St) features a free guided tour of the museum’s exhibitions. Preregister. 1 p.m.
Beats Music Festival at Scissortail Park (1423 S Robinson Ave) features a live music festival in the heart of Oklahoma City. Music begins at 2:30 p.m.
Beats & Bites Festival at Riverwind Casino (1544 W State Hwy 9, Norman) features a concert by Chris Janson & Easton Corbin, plus food trucks and more. $10. 5-11 p.m.
May 25-26
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 and more. All ages welcome. $15 in advance; $20 at the door; kids (12 & under) & museum members, free. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
May 25-27
Paseo Arts Festival in the Paseo District (3022 Paseo St) features visual artists selling original artwork in a wide variety of mediums, 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 27
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 Oklahoma National Guard 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.
FREE Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony at Fort Sill National Cemetery (2648 NE Jake Dunn Rd, Elgin) features a solemn Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony, accompanied by speeches, a moment of silence, and the rendering of military honors. 10 a.m.
Nature Center Memorial Day Celebration at Lake Thunderbird State Park (13101 Alameda Dr, Norman) features activity stations, water games, arts & crafts and a movie. Free to attend. See website for schedule.
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 volunteer anywhere 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 Oklahoma National Guard 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.
- Take a virtual tour of a memorial. Visit the hallowed grounds of the nation’s most famous war memorials via Google Arts & Culture. 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 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!
