Memorial Day Celebrations in Cincinnati, 2026

Enjoy these Cincinnati Memorial Day activities and military freebies for Memorial Day 2026.

Parades (listed alphabetically):

Blue Ash:  Join the City of Blue Ash for the 74th annual City of Blue Ash Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony on Monday, May 25, 2026. The parade kicks off at 10:15 a.m. from Reed Hartman Highway and Cooper Road, with entries from dozens of military and non-profit organizations, local businesses, and community groups. A special ceremony will take place at Towne Square after the parade at approximately 11:30 a.m. with keynote speaker David Foster, U.S. Marine Corps Retired.

Cheviot Memorial Day Parade will begin at 11am on May 25, 2026. It is organized by the Green Township VFW Post 10380. The parade will start at Bridgetown Cemetery and proceed north on Bridgetown to Cheviot School and then onto Harrison Ave. Parade continues to its termination at Harrison and Glenmore Ave. at the Westwood Baptist Cemetery. A rifle volley and TAPS will be performed at both cemeteries.

Evanston: Happening on May 25, 2026 , a parade will be held at 10am and will go from the Evanston Recreation Center, left on Woodburn Avenue, left on Fairfax Avenue, left on Evanston Avenue, left on Hewitt Ave., ending at the Rec Center.

Fairfield: Happening on May 25, 2026, the parade will feature veterans groups, military units, the Fairfield High School Marching Band, community groups and organizations, the Fairfield Police Department, and Fairfield Fire and Paramedic units. A band will be performing patriotic music and other favorites at Veterans Memorial Park prior to the ceremony. Guest speakers include representatives from local veterans groups and City of Fairfield Mayor Parade starts at 10am. It begins at Express Scripts and proceeds down Hicks Blvd. It then goes right on Nilles, left on Bibury, right on Wessel, and ends at Veterans Memorial Park.

Florence, Ky: The day’s events will honor the brave men and women who gave their lives while serving in the United States military and provide an opportunity for the community to gather in remembrance and gratitude. The parade will begin at Boone County High School at 10:00 a.m. and will end at the Florence Government Center.  Following the parade, the Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at the Boone County Veterans Memorial located at the Florence Government Center.

Glendale: Parade details for 2026 have not been released.

Loveland: Parade begins at 9:00 a.m. and will travel from Loveland Elementary School to the Veterans Memorial. Immediately following the parade, a ceremony will be held at the Veterans Memorial. A military flyover is scheduled for approximately 9:45 a.m.

Madeira’s Memorial Day March: The Memorial Day March will be begin at 10am. Participants will assemble at St. Gertrude Church at 9:15am. The silent March will travel down Miami Avenue and then west on Dawson Road, ending with a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial located at McDonald Commons Park. A shuttle bus will be available after the Ceremony to return participants to St Gertrude Church. This will be a silent March for the purpose of expressing heartfelt gratitude to the men and women who have died protecting freedom throughout the world.

Mason: The parade takes place on Monday, May 25, 2026 beginning at 10:00 a.m. The parade begins in Downtown Mason traveling along State Route 42 and then turns and heads south on Mason Montgomery Road concluding at the Mason Municipal Center parking lot. At the conclusion of the parade, the community is encouraged to attend a special Memorial Day Ceremony and Community Picnic beginning at 11:00 a.m. in front of the Veterans Memorial at the Mason Municipal Center.

Newtown: Line-up begins at 9am at MVCA on School Street with step-off taking place at 10am. Parade ends at Moundview Park. This parade is May 25, 2026.

North College Hill: On SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2026, The City of North College Hill will hold their annual parade and Memorial Day services. Parade starts at the NCH Baarendse Stadium at 11am and ends at the NCH Middle School at noon. Following the parade, there will be a Memorial Ceremony from 12-1pm at the cemetery (1602 West Galbraith Rd.).

Park Hills: The Park Hills Memorial Day Parade and Flag Raising Ceremony will begin at 11:30 and happens rain or shine. The parade will following route: Dixie Highway at Notre Dame Academy to Arlington to Old State Road to Terrace Drive to Amsterdam Road to Park Drive. Under the leadership of Ryan Patterson, Jr, seven WWII era aircraft will fly in formation over Park Hills during the flag raising ceremony, around 12:30pm, weather permitted. At the conclusion of the parade, a flag ceremony will be conducted. They’ll also have a Memorial Day Food Court at Trolley Park after the parade.

Reading/Arlington Heights: The VYO’s Memorial Day festivities include a parade on May 25, 2026 in Arlington Heights starting at 9am. The parade route enters Reading at the bridge on Benson Street, continues on Benson and turns left at Reading Rd. It then turns left at West Vine St., right on Jefferson Ave., and ends at the cemetery on Columbia. Immediately following with be a Memorial Day Ceremony in the cemetery honoring all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

West Chester: Memorial Day ceremonies in West Chester are organized each year by local veterans groups VFW Post 7696 and American Legion Post 681. On Monday, May 25, starting at 10 a.m., the Memorial Day Parade makes its way through the historic Olde West Chester business district. Starting at the Boys and Girls Club, the parade travels to Brookside Cemetery on West Chester Road for a remembrance ceremony. Members of the West Chester ~ Union Township Historical Society will read aloud the names of all veterans interred at the Brookside Cemetery, where more than 700 are laid to rest, including 100 Civil War veterans and one Revolutionary War veteran. 

Free Admission (for military):

The Cincinnati Zoo is offering free Zoo admission to members of the military — active and retired — on Memorial Day (May 25, 2026). The offer also allows military personnel to purchase discounted admission tickets for guests of military/veterans. Thank you for your service! See their site for full details.

Events and Ceremonies:

Field of Memories at Arlington Memorial Gardens: The “Field of Memories” faces Ronald Reagan Highway and provides a stunning display of patriotism. While this display is especially poignant for veterans, it’s a tribute that is open to non-veterans also. The flags are atop 6’ poles and will wave 24 hours a day with the field lit at night. Each flag bears the name of the individual to whom the flag is dedicated.
In addition, the 911 Steel Display will be on-site (May 22-25) courtesy of The Goodtimers.
Check the site (link above) for daily events.

Green Township will host a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 25, 2026, 2-3pm. The event will take place at Green Township Veterans Park, 6231 Harrison Ave.