Memorial Day weekend means sunshine (we hope!), BBQs, and an extra day off with your favorite people. Whether you're hunting for kid-friendly events, outdoor adventures, or just an excuse to get out of the house — we've got you covered.
And while you're enjoying the fun, it's also a perfect time to pause and reflect on why this day exists: To honor the brave men and women who gave their lives for our country.
Below, you'll find the best family events, activities, and meaningful ways to spend Memorial Day weekend in Greater Lowell and beyond.
Family-Friendly Memorial Day Weekend Events
Memorial Day weekend is typically a family-focused weekend, so there are very few big events in our area. Unfortunately, the Lowell Spring Carnival has been cancelled but there is a carnival in Lawrence. Here are some event ideas:
- Memorial Day parades:
- Westford: Sunday at noon
- Dunstable: Sunday at 1 pm
- Groton: Monday at 9 am (pancake breakfast at the Groton Grange from 7:30-10:30 am)
- Littleton: Monday at 9:30 am
- Chelmsford: Monday at 10 am
- Dracut: Monday at 11 am
- Tewksbury: Monday at 11 am
- Lawrence Spring Carnival, Thursday to Monday
- Visit the Boott Cotton Mills Museum in Lowell
- Check out Newburyport Spring Fest on Saturday and Sunday
- Visit the American Heritage Museum in Hudson MA. This weekend, they will be demonstrating WWII tanks outside.
- Canobie Lake Park is now open on weekends
- See over 50 amazing musical artists at the Boston Calling music festival in Allston
Click here to see our full calendar.
Have a Memorial Day event in Greater Lowell to add? Submit it to our calendar here!
A Moment to Remember: What Memorial Day Is All About
While this is a weekend that can be packed with fun, it’s also a time for families to reflect on why this holiday holds meaning.
Here are three simple ideas you can do as a family to mark the day that honors those who died serving in the U.S. military.
- Observe a moment of silence at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day — a tradition called the National Moment of Remembrance.
- Visit a veterans memorial or cemetery to pay respects.
- Display a flag at home or help your child make a red poppy craft — a symbol of remembrance after WWI.
- 👉🏽 Get more ideas here!
Just one small act of gratitude can leave a lasting impression on your kids.
Easy Weekend Fun Ideas for Families
Looking for at-home fun? Here are five ideas on how to mark the weekend at home:
- Backyard BBQ + sprinklers = Instant summer joy
- Family hike or nature walk with scavenger hunt
- Red, white, and blue bike parade around the block
- Chalk your sidewalk with patriotic messages
- Craft an American flag pin with safety pins and beads. Get directions here!
 JannHuizenga | Canva |
Quick Memorial Day Facts to Share with Kids
- The Grand Army of the Republic began decorating the graves of fallen service members with flowers in May 1868, which was then known as "Decoration Day".
- In 1971 Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday, to be observed on the last Monday in May, moving it from the static date of May 30, in order to create a 3-day weekend.
- On the Thursday before Memorial Day, small American flags are placed at each of the 400,000+ gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery and other cemeteries nation-wide.
- To encourage more people to observe Memorial Day, Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act in 2000, which asks people to stop what they are doing at 3:00pm local time and observe a minute of silence to honor those who lost their lives defending the country.
- On Memorial Day, the flag should first be raised to the top of the staff, then slowly lowered to half-staff, until noon when it should be raised to the top of the staff for the rest of the day.
- Red poppies are considered the Memorial Day flower. A poem called "In Flanders Fields" refers to the fields of poppies growing among soldiers' graves during the First World War.
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