Remembrance ceremonies and other events honor Memorial Day in Orange County
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With the upcoming Memorial Day holiday and the warm weather we have been enjoying, you may have plans to grill and chill this weekend. Keep in mind though, there is more to Memorial Day than a three-day weekend. Orange County has several ways to pay respect to those who have given their lives while serving in the military.
Originally called “Decoration Day” meant to honor Union soldiers after the Civil War, the last Monday in May became a federal holiday known as “Memorial Day” in 1971.
You can honor the fallen and their sacrifice by attending one of these remembrance ceremonies and spending time with loved ones at these family-friendly events.
The Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
18001 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda
As a Blue Star Museum, the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum offers free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including the National Guard and Reserve. The partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and participating museums across America, runs through Labor Day, Sept. 1 2025 — and there is no better time to visit the campus that is home to Nixon’s birthplace. The museum also houses the Nixon presidential materials, Nixon White House tapes, Nixon pre- and post-presidential materials and helicopter. Current exhibitions include “The Ancient World: Unlocking the Middle East” as well as 70 new family-friendly exhibits with more than 300 original artifacts. To plan your visit, visit nixonlibrary.gov.
Field of Honor, Mission San Juan Capistrano
26801 Old Mission Rd, San Juan Capistrano
May 20-May 26
Mission San Juan Capistrano continues its partnership with Homefront America, hosting the 2025 Field of Honor during Memorial Day weekend. Beginning May 20, more than 400 American Flags are planted in the ground to honor military, veterans and first responders, including K-9 and equestrian heroes. Although the mission is typically closed on Monday, it will be open on Memorial Day, May 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as part of the program. Active duty, veterans, first responders and Mission Preservation Society members will receive free admission to the mission throughout the exhibit, too. People who wish to sponsor a flag can visit homefrontamerica.org. For information on Mission San Juan Capistrano’s Field of Honor go to missionsjc.com.
Newport Beach Wine Festival, Balboa Bay Club
1221 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach
May 23-25
Raise a glass in remembrance at the 20th Annual Newport Beach Wine Festival at Balboa Bay Resort. The 3-day ticketed event kicks off on the evening of May 23 with an exclusive 4-course dinner and reception hosted by Jean Charles Boisset and Balboa Bay Resort’s executive chef, Prabeen Prathapan. On May 24 from 1 to 5 p.m., guests can indulge in the famed Grand Tasting with wine and spirits poured by some of the resort’s favorite vendors such as Veuve Clicquot, WhistlePig and Empress Gin alongside bites from Cucina Enoteca, Gus’s Fried Chicken and more. The event concludes on May 25 with an extravagant Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brunch with a carving station, an omelet station, two complimentary glasses of Veuve Clicquot and live music while champagne flows. For tickets visit balboabayresort.com.
Memorial Day Weekend at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort
131 Back Bay Dr, Newport Beach
May 23-25
Newport Dunes Waterfront resort splashes into the start of summer this Memorial Day weekend with fun, family-friendly activities in Newport Beach. The the Inflatable Aquatic Park will be open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. with over 20 oversized floating inflatables, including slides, bouncers and monkey bars. Free live music concerts will take place at the bayfront Horseshoe event venue along with food trucks (2–7 p.m.) and a full bar (2–8 p.m.) nightly. For Aquatic Park reservations or to reserve Duffy boats, kayaks and any of the other available water sport equipment, visit newportdunes.com.
Garden Grove Strawberry Festival
12762 Main St, Garden Grove
May 23-May 26
Spend Memorial weekend enjoying all the strawberry shortcake you can eat at the 65th Annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival. The event begins on May 23 at 6 p.m. with the iconic strawberry shortcake cutting ceremony; a tradition at the festival since 1958. The festival also includes a parade on May 24 as well as live music, carnival rides, games and contests. Admission is free to this sweet family-friendly event. Visit strawberryfestival.org for a detailed schedule of events.
Hilton Irvine’s Memorial Weekend BBQ Party
18800 MacArthur Blvd, Irvine
May 24, 1p.m. to 4p.m.
In honor of Memorial Day weekend and National BBQ Month, Hilton Irvine is throwing a Memorial Weekend BBQ Party. Enjoy Angus burgers, herb-marinated chicken, sizzling hot dogs and garden burgers, plus a full toppings bar to customize your plate. Food will be served poolside with fire pits, DJ and games for the whole family. Tickets are available at resortpass.com.
Memorial Day Ceremony, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach
800 Seal Beach Boulevard, Seal Beach
May 26, 11:00 a.m.
This free, annual ceremony will take place on the United States National Submarine Memorial West, located at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach. The observance will include speeches from local leaders and the unique “tolling the boats” ceremony, which honors each of the 52 U.S. submarines lost during World War II with a bell tolled.
Field of Honor, Castaways Park
700 Dover Dr, Newport Beach
May 26, 12:00 p.m.
A display of 1,776 American flags will be placed in Castaways Park for the Exchange Club of Newport Harbor’s Field of Honor. Ribbons on the flags will also honor military service members, both living and deceased, active and inactive, as well as police, firefighters, and other first responders. Retired U.S. Army and U.S. Navy Captain Nick Saifa will serve as the ceremony’s keynote speaker, reflecting on his 24-year military career. While the ceremony takes place on May 26, the Field of Honor is on view throughout the weekend.
Memorial Day Flag Raising Ceremony
Veterans Park ,17635 Los Alamos St, Fountain Valley
May 26, 10 a.m.
This Memorial Day, the City of Fountain Valley and West Orange County Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post & Auxiliary 9557 present a flag-raising ceremony at Fountain Valley’s Veterans Park. A tradition used to show respect for the flag, the ceremony will honor all U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces.
Memorial Day Ceremony, Pier Plaza and Amphitheater
401 CA-1, Huntington Beach
May 26, 11 a.m.
The American Legion Post 133 and the City of Huntington Beach have partnered to present a Memorial Day ceremony at Pier Plaza. Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Dr. Jim Ghormley will serve as master of ceremonies for the free event, which will include a rifle salute, TAPS and more in remembrance of fallen heroes.
City of Mission Viejo Memorial Day
200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo
May 26, 8:30 a.m.
Visit Mission Viejo City Hall in the Kershaw Garden for a Memorial Day ceremony that will include guest speakers, a color guard, bagpiper, rifle salute, a live vocal performance and TAPS. Coffee and refreshments will also be served at the free event.
68th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony, Harbor Lawn-Mt. Olive Memorial park
625 Gisler Ave, Costa Mesa
May 30, 11 a.m.
The Freedom Committee of Orange County (FCOC) veterans present the 68th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony on May 30, complete with a military fly-over, military band, inspiring speeches and lunch for all who attend. Additionally, the free event will include a wreath-laying ceremony, recognizing the six-Armed Forces services, WW I, WWII, Pearl Harbor Survivors, “Never Again,” Korean War, Vietnam War, Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and POW.
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