Memorial Day 2023 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.
We will be adding freebies and discounts for military personnel as soon as they’re announced. Also, please scroll down for our full calendar for Memorial Day Weekend 2023 in the Triangle.
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Memorial Day Weekend Freebies and Discounts
Check back soon! There will be lots of freebies and discounts for military service members, and some for everyone.
- Auntie Anne’s: $2 off orders $12 on May 29, 2023, for rewards members. Also, receive a free Original or Cinnamon sugar pretzel reward with any online gift purchase now through June 25, 2023.
- Cinnabon: From May 26 to 29, 2023, Cinnabon rewards loyalty members receive a buy one, get one free baked good when they unlock the code BONSOUT in the app.
- Jamba: Purchase a $25 gift card now through June 18, 2023, and get a $5 Reward Card.
- Hooters’ dine-in patrons Saturday, May 27 through Monday, May 29, 2023, can enjoy a $9.99 build your own burger deal, including fries. Pair it with $3 Blue Moon drafts or a $9.99 Michelob Ultra pitcher. Also, kids eat free through 5/28/2023 with the purchase of an adult entrée.
Memorial Day Weekend Ideas
Annual Memorial Day Remembrance at Bennett Place
Bennett Place Historic Site, at 4409 Bennett Memorial Road, Durham, holds its annual Memorial Day event on Saturday, May 27, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, May 28, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Following the American Civil War, a “Decoration Day” began in communities across America remembering soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Senator John A. Logan, a former Union officer on staff with Major General William T. Sherman, was instrumental in making this a formal national day honoring our fallen soldiers, which became Memorial Day. Join military historians representing the American soldier of all time periods throughout our nation’s history. $3 for adults and $2 for children.
Spring Vegan Potluck
Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge, 7236 NC Highway 87 N, Pittsboro, is hosting a Spring Vegan Potluck on May 27, 2023, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. It’s free to attend, but registration is required. Follow above link.
Hillsborough Last Friday Art Walk
Kick off the weekend with the Last Fridays Art Walk in Downtown Hillsborough. Explore art in various galleries, listen to live music, watch circus performers, and much more. Friday, May 26, 2023.
Town of Cary
The Town of Cary is holding a Memorial Day Remembrance on Monday, May 29, 2023. It will take place at 2:30 p.m. at Veterans Freedom Park, 1517 N. Harrison Avenue, Cary.
Town of Garner
The Town of Garner’s Memorial Day Observance will take place Monday, May 29, 2023, at 9:30 a.m., at the Garner Veterans Memorial in Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Road, Garner. Tours of the Garner Veterans Memorial will be available before and after the ceremony.
Free Flags
Ace Hardware is giving gives away American Flags for Memorial Day. These are 8×12-inch stick flags, suitable for placing on a grave, field or garden as a tribute.
No purchase is required. The first 240 customers at each participating store will receive a flag, while supplies last. Ace Hardware is also giving away flags to VFW posts, to be used for marking and honoring veterans’ graves this Memorial Day.
Bynum Front Porch Friday Night Music Series
Bynum Front Porch has repurposed the old Bynum General Store, at 950 Bynum Road, in Pittsboro, into a community gathering spot. Every Friday night this summer they’re hosting live music outside the stores. Bring your chair, bring a little cash donation for the band (admission is free), and some money for the food truck, and enjoy a relaxing night of live music. The band on May 26, 2023, is John Howie Jr. & Rosewood Bluff.
Triangle Wind Ensemble–An American Celebration: The Music of John Williams
Triangle Wind Ensemble is celebrating America with a concert at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary on Sunday, May 28, 2023, at 7 p.m. The concert features favorite music from Disney films through the years. Lawn tickets are $13.
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 28, 2023, is The Magnolia Klezmer Band.
Taste of Soul
On Saturday, May 27, 2023, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., head to Durham Central Park for Taste of Soul NC Variety Edition. There will be tons of great food trucks, as well as a bounce house and games for the kids, tables with playing cards, a DJ, and more. Free event. (Just pay for food.)
Hiking
Please check out our list of some of the best hikes in the Triangle, our photo guide to hiking eight N.C. State parks, and our photo guide to North Carolina waterfalls.
NC Sugar Rush Dessert Market
On Sunday, May 28, 2023, from 12 p.m. to 5 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.
Goats
Enjoy the grounds of Historic Oak View County Park, and visit the resident goats if they are out and about.
Mudcat Baseball
The Carolina Mudcats are playing the Down East Wood Ducks at home in Zebulon on Sunday, May 29th, at 1 p.m. Tickets are $11 to $15, but if you live in one of these five counties — Wake, Franklin, Nash, Johnston, or Wilson — you get into home games on Sundays for just $7. After the game all fans are welcome to come onto the field to play catch.
Richard Wozniak Kusiolek III says
I only wish that more events were on Memorial DAY and not days before. It seems that would make sense. Memorial day events on MEMORIAL DAY. Am I missing something. Thanks… USAF Vietnam VET
Jody Mace says
Yeah, you know, to be honest, there are more Memorial Day ceremonies that I just wasn’t able to get listed in time. I do have the Garner and Cary ones listed, because they did come across my desk, but I know that there are more. Next year!