Memorial Day 2026 in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and surrounding areas, will feature many events, both to commemorate our fallen military personnel, and to just celebrate the beginning of the summer.
Memorial Day is Monday, May 25, 2026, and Memorial Day Weekend starts Friday, May 22.
We are listing freebies and discounts for military personnel as soon as they’re announced. Also, please scroll down for our full calendar for Memorial Day Weekend 2026 in the Triangle.
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Memorial Day Weekend Highlights
JAWSFest
Head to the Midway of Chapel Hill to kick off the summer with JAWSFest on Sunday, May 24, 2026. You can expect a flea market, watching Jaws movies, live music, a mechanical shark, a dunk tank and more. Some of the participating businesses are typically Local 506, The Baxter, and Lapin Bleu.
Taste of Soul
Enjoy a wide variety of food, plus music and vendors, at Taste of Soul. It takes place at Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, North Carolina, on Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 3 to 8 p.m. Admission is free. Just pay for your food and drink.
Sundays at Sundown Concert
On Sunday evenings, Sundays at Sundown Music Series takes place on the Green at Southern Village, 600 Market Street, Chapel Hill. There’s no cover charge. The band on Sunday, May 24, 2026, is ZamBamBooGee.
Six Sundays in Spring
Wake Forest’s Six Sundays in Spring features Blackwater Band on Sunday, May 24, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest, North Carolina. Free to attend.
NC Sugar Rush Dessert Market
On Sunday, May 24, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., head to City Plaza in Downtown Raleigh to satisfy your sweet tooth. NC Sugar Rush is a dessert-only food market. Look for ice cream, Italian Ice, cupcakes, funnel cakes, candy apples and more.
Memorial Day Ceremonies
Historic Oakwood Cemetery
Honor fallen service men and women at a Memorial Day Service at Historic Oakwood Cemetery, 701 Oakwood Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina. It takes place Monday, May 25, 2026, from 4 to 5 p.m.
Follow the event signs to Field of Honor and park along the road. Chairs will be provided.
In addition, there will be free tours at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. the same day. Meet at the cemetery office.
Durham County
Durham County Veteran Services is presenting a Memorial Day Remembrance event on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 9 a.m., at William V. Bell Building (formerly Administration II Building), 201 E Main Street, Durham, North Carolina. It will take place in Conference Room 126.
It’s free and open to everyone.
Orange County (Chapel Hill)
Orange County will honor the sacrifices of America’s servicemen and women during the annual Orange County Veterans Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 25, 2026, from 8:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Site, 2501 Homestead Drive, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Town of Cary
The Town of Cary is holding a Memorial Day Remembrance on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 2:30 p.m., at Veterans Freedom Park, 1517 N. Harrison Avenue, Cary, North Carolina.
Limited seating will be available, but you’re encouraged to bring your own lawn chair.
Town of Garner
The Town of Garner’s Memorial Day Observance will take place Monday, May 25, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., at the Garner Veterans Memorial in Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Road, Garner.
Town of Apex
Apex’s Memorial Day Ceremony takes place Monday, May 25, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., at the Fire Station 1, 210 N Salem Street, Apex, North Carolina.
Montlawn Memorial Park
Montlawn Memorial Park, 2911 S Wilmington Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, is hosting a Memorial Day tribute on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 11 a.m.
Gather with family and friends to honor and remember those who gave their lives for our country.
Knightdale
The Town of Knightdale will hold a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 11 a.m., at the Knightdale Veterans Memorial at Knightdale Station Park, 810 N First Avenue, Knightdale, North Carolina.
Free Flags
Ace Hardware is giving away American Flags for Memorial Day on Saturday, May 23, 2026. No purchase required. While supplies last. These are 8″x12″ stick flags, suitable for placing on a grave, field, or garden as a tribute to a fallen serviceman or servicewomen.
Memorial Day Weekend Freebies and Discounts
7-Eleven
Through Aug. 25, 2026, Slurpee fans can sip on a large Slurpee for just $1 every Monday to Friday (including on Memorial Day, May 25) at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes locations — from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The deal is only available for 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards members.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Through June 10, 2026, Buffalo Wild Wings is offering its Bottomless Appetizers for just $9.99. That price is for up to four diners.
Choose from five fan-favorite appetizers — served two at a time.
Bonefish Grill
Vets are honored every day at Bonefish Grill. The restaurant’s Heroes Discount is offered all year long — 10% off for all service members, veterans and first responders.
KFC
For a limited time, KFC is offering a new Value Feast line-up with the introduction of three KFC Box Feasts — priced at $7, $9 and $11.
Each box includes fries and a medium drink.
KFC also just introduced its new $10 “Bucket of the Day” deal, available each weekday — Monday to Friday.
Olive Garden
If you take the whole family to Olive Garden, enjoy an extra take-home entrée for just $6. Pick up enough extra meals to enjoy over the holiday weekend. Choose from Fettuccine Alfredo, Five Cheese Ziti al Forno and Spaghetti with Meat Sauce.
Outback Steakhouse
Vets are honored every day at Outback Steakhouse. The restaurant’s Heroes Discount is offered all year long — 10% off for all service members, veterans and first responders.
Popeyes
Through Aug. 31, 2026, Popeyes is offering its $5 Faves Menu with three pieces of signature chicken, three chicken strips, two sides or a chicken sandwich as affordable options.
A family of four could dine for $25.
Red Lobster
For a limited time, Red Lobster is offering its popular Endless Shrimp special — price and participation varies by location.
Choose from Marry Me Shrimp, Shrimp Linguini Alfredo, Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, Garlic Shrimp Scampi and Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp.
Shake Shack
May is National Burger Month. To celebrate, Shake Shack is offering a different burger for FREE every week with a minimum $10 purchase.
Over the Memorial Day weekend, depending on when you go, you could enjoy a FREE Bacon Cheeseburger on May 23 and 24 or FREE ShackBurger on May 25, 2026.
