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.
Things to do over Memorial Day Weekend in the OKC metro:
May 20-25
Oklahoma City Comets vs Sacramento at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark
1 Mickey Mantle Dr, OKC
The Comets take the field against the River Cats. $13-$33. Tuesday-Friday, 7:05 p.m.; Saturday, 6:05 p.m.; Sunday, 2:05 p.m.
May 23
FREE Concert at Scissortail Park
415 S Robinson Ave, OKC
Enjoy an outdoor concert by Park Electric. Guests are encouraged to bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs. 8 p.m.
May 23-25
GalaxyCon at Oklahoma City Convention Center
100 Mick Cornett Dr, OKC
See celebrities, artists, writers, voice actors, cosplayers, entertainers, creators and panelists, celebrating comic books, pop culture, sci-fi, fantasy, anime, gaming, cosplay and more. $40 & up. See website for schedule.
May 24
Breakfast with the Animals at the OKC Zoo
2000 Remington Pl, OKC
Enjoy a pancake bar with all the fixings, eggs, bacon and more. Guests also get to meet OKC Zoo caretakers and ambassador animals. $30-$56. 9-11 a.m.
Oklahoma Bicycle Society’s Donut Ride begins at Will Rogers Park Tennis Center Parking Lot
NW 36th & Portland, OKC
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 Moore’s Central Park
700 S Broadway, Moore
Enjoy a day of play with inflatables, yard games and free snow cones. 9 a.m.-noon.
FREE Bethany 66 Festival in Bethany
38th Street north to 39th Expressway, between Peniel and Asbury, Bethany
Celebrate with live entertainment, arts & crafts booths, children’s activities and a car show. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
FREE Veterans Car Show at the Norman Veterans Center
1776 E Robinson St, Norman
See one-of-a-kind classic cars. Food vendors will also be on hand. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
FREE Guided Gallery Tours at Oklahoma Contemporary
11 NW 11th St, OKC
Go a free guided tour of the museum’s exhibitions. Preregister. 1 p.m.
Oklahoma Craft Beer Festival at State Fairgrounds Pavilion
3212 W Wichita Walk, OKC
Browse over 70 different breweries from all over the United States, including many local breweries. $50 & up. 1-9 p.m.
May 24-25
Chuck Wagon Festival at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
1700 NE 63rd St, OKC
The festival celebrates 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. $25 in advance; $30 at the door; kids (12 & under) & museum members, free. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
May 24-26
Paseo Arts Festival in the Paseo District
3022 Paseo St, OKC
Browse the works of visual artists selling original artwork in a wide variety of mediums, from painting and photography to wood and jewelry, plus enjoy 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 26
FREE Memorial Day Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park
1900 SE 4th St, Moore
The memorial service honors a veteran who has passed this year. 10 a.m.
FREE Memorial Day Ceremony at the Oklahoma National Guard Museum
2145 NE 36th St, OKC
This ceremony honors the men and women who have served in our nation’s Armed Forces and those who have paid the ultimate price in service to their country. 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 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 summertime 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!
