FL Memorial Day Weekend 2023: Parades, Concerts, Wreath-Laying Events

FLORIDA — Solemn and celebratory events to observe Memorial Day 2023 are scheduled for this weekend across Florida communities, from parades to flag ceremonies to live music.

Check out some of the events throughout the state below and share any events you know of in the comments.

The three-day Memorial Day weekend — May 27-29 this year — is part of a nearly 160-year tradition that pays tribute to military personnel who lost their lives in service to their country.

No matter where you are, you can participate in the National Moment Of Remembrance. Every year, a national moment of remembrance is held at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day. The midday time was chosen "because it is the time when many Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday," according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Ceremonies, Things To Do

American Legion U.S.S. Tampa Memorial Day Event: The American Legion "U.S.S. Tampa" Post 5 invites the community to its Memorial Day event. The two-day event begins with luminarias at 8 p.m., Sunday, May 28, and concludes Monday, May 29, with a memorial service from 11 a.m. to noon at the American Legion, "U.S.S. Tampa" Post 5, 3810 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.

National Memorial Day Concert 2023 Broadcast Live From Washington, DC: PBS will broadcast the National Memorial Day Concert live from the west front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., at 8 p.m. ET Sunday, and repeat the program at 9:30 p.m. ET. Check here to find showtimes for your local PBS station.

Sarasota Memorial Day Parade: Taking place Monday, 10 a.m. to noon, the Memorial Day Parade marches through downtown Sarasota. The parade starts at Main Street and Osprey Avenue and travels westward to lower Main Street, where it will end at Gulfstream Avenue. Around 11 a.m. a ceremony takes place at Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park.

Bay Pines VA Memorial Day Ceremony: The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System will host a Memorial Day ceremony Monday, 11 a.m. to noon, at Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg. The event draws more than 3,000 people and will take place rain or shine. This year’s keynote speaker is Thomas Bowman, former deputy secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Tampa Bay-Area Memorial Day Events

• Memorial Day Weekend 2023: 11 Things To Do In Bradenton
• Memorial Day Parade In Sarasota Highlight Of Weekend Events
• Bay Pines VA Ceremony Highlight Of Memorial Day Events In St. Pete
• Memorial Day Weekend 2023: 8 Things To Do Around Lakeland
• Memorial Day Weekend 2023: 9 Things To Do Around New Port Richey
• Memorial Day Weekend 2023: 8 Things To Do Around Dunedin
• Memorial Day Weekend 2023: 8 Things To Do Around Clearwater
• Memorial Day Weekend 2023: 6 Things To Do In Tampa To Honor The Fallen
• Memorial Day Weekend 2023: 8 Things To Do Around New Port Richey

Happy Memorial Day!