Memorial Day Weekend in Waukesha County & Milwaukee County

Memorial Day weekend in Southeastern Wisconsin is one of those weekends that feels like the unofficial start of summer, but it also comes with a much deeper purpose. Between the parades, ceremonies, festivals, pancake breakfasts, and lakefront tributes, there are plenty of ways to get out in the community while still honoring the reason for the holiday.

Whether you are looking for a meaningful Memorial Day ceremony, a family-friendly parade, or something festive to kick off the weekend, Waukesha County and Milwaukee County have plenty going on. Just remember, if there is a parade involved, arrive early. Wisconsin families do not mess around when it comes to curb space, lawn chairs, and finding the perfect spot.

Waukesha County Memorial Day Events

Waukesha Memorial Day Commemoration

📍 Location: Downtown Waukesha (places varry)
🕘 Date & Time: Monday, May 25, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
💲 Cost: FREE

Event Lineup

Avenue of Flags

📍 Location: Prairie Home Cemetery (605 S. Prairie Avenue, Waukesha, WI)

🕘 Time: Flags will be flying from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

👐 What’s Happening: Prairie Home Cemetery will be placing flags along the main road through the cemetery to commemorate those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The cemetery grounds are open to visitors at this time.

Riverside Ceremony 

📍 Location: Barstow Plaza (near Lee Sherman Dreyfus Building) (141 NW Barstow Street, Waukesha, WI)

🕘 Time: 9:00 AM

👐 What’s Happening: A river ceremony will take place at Lee Sherman Dreyfus State Office Building. We invite everyone to assemble and toss flowers into the river as a mark of respect for those who gave their lives.

📝 Note: If you would like to partake in casting flowers into the river, you will need to bring your own live flowers (no plastic flowers). 

Memorial Day March

📍 Location: From 141 NW Barstow Street to Wisconsin Avenue
🕘 Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

👐 What’s Happening: The march will begin on Barstow Street at the Lee Sherman Dreyfus State Office Building, proceed down Main Street, turn onto Maple Avenue and end at Wisconsin Avenue. 

📝 Note: You have the opportunity to participate in the march. Follow the link, scroll down to the Memorial Day March section, click the application form, and email it to the designated email!

Memorial Day Service at Cutler Park

📍 Location: Les Paul Performance Center at Cutler Park (321 Wisconsin Avenue, Waukesha, WI)

🕘 Time: 11:00 AM

👐 What’s Happening: A program honoring all who have died and served our country.

The Waukesha Memorial Day Commemoration includes a parade through downtown followed by a service at Cutler Park honoring fallen service members. This is a strong local option for families who want a traditional Memorial Day morning with community, reflection, and a little downtown Waukesha charm. The parade route begins on Barstow Street, continues down Main Street, turns onto Maple Avenue, and ends near Wisconsin Avenue. 

Menomonee Falls Memorial Fest & Parade

📍 Location: Downtown Menomonee Falls
🕘 Date & Time: Saturday 8:00 AM - Monday 11:00 AM
💲 Cost: FREE admission, but food, beverages, and some activities may have separate costs

Saturday, May 23

At Mill Pond Park:

• 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM → 5K Run/Walk

• 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM → Lucky Ducky Derby Ticket Sale

• 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM → AGMF Art Fair at the Mill Pond Park Plaza

• 3:00 PM → Lucky Ducky Derby “Duck Drop” at Mill Pond

Village Park

• 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM → Memorial Tribute Ceremony

• 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM → Car Show on Garfield Drive & Park

• 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM → Live Performances at MKE Tool Amphitheater

• 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM → Kids Zone Activities & Games

• 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM → Beer & Wine Garden with Food Trucks

• 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM → Shopping at Village Park Marketplace

Main Street

• 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM → Memorial Tribute Ceremony at Water Street Stage

• 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM →  Shopping at Main Street Marketplace

• 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM → Beer & Wine Gardens with Food Trucks

• 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM → Live Music at Water Street Stage

• 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM → Live Music at Appleton Avenue Stage

Sunday, May 24

Village Park

• 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM → Memorial Day Concert for Our Vets at MKE Amphitheater

Monday, May 25

Downtown

• 10:00 AM → Memorial Day Parade on Main Street

Falls Memorial Fest brings live music, a car show, art show, vendors, food, beverages, and the Lucky Ducky Derby to downtown Menomonee Falls. The Menomonee Falls Memorial Day Parade begins at 10:00 AM and travels through downtown, starting on Main Street at Harrison Avenue. Together, the festival and parade make Menomonee Falls a great family-friendly stop in northern Waukesha County. Bring a chair, coffee, and patience for parking, because Main Street gets busy fast.

Elm Grove Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast & Parade

Pancake Breakfast

📍 Location: Elm Grove Woman’s Club, 13885 Watertown Plank Road, Elm Grove, WI
🕘 Date & Time: Monday, May 25 at 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM
💲 Cost: Check with Elm Grove Woman’s Club for current pricing

The Elm Grove Woman’s Club hosts its Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast before the village parade. This is one of those classic community traditions that makes a holiday morning feel extra local. Pancakes before a parade is also a very Wisconsin way to start the day, and honestly, no complaints here.

Parade

📍 Location: Starts at the Village Park
🕘 Time: 10:30 AM
Memorial Day is fast approaching, and Elm Grove celebrates 250 years as a nation. The Memorial Parade is organized by the Elm Grove Junior Guild.

Hartland Memorial Day Events & Parade

📍 Location: Hartland, parade route from
🕘 Date & Time: Sunday, May 24 6:00 PM - Monday, May 25 3:00 PM
💲 Cost: FREE admission, but food, beverages, and some activities may have separate costs

Sunday, May 24

Hartland Cemetery

• 6:00 PM → Headstone Dedication

• 8:00 PM → Ceremony to Honor Loved Ones

Monday, May 25

Village Elementary

• 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM → Pancake Breakfast @ Village Elementary

• 1:30 PM → Car Show

Services

• 10:00 AM → Parshaville Cemetery

• 11:00 AM → Hartland Cemetery

• 11:30 AM → Flyover

• 11:45 AM → Hartland Mill Pond Bridge

• 12:00 PM → Moment of Silence

Parade & 5/3K

• 12:00 PM → Moving from Hartland Middle School to Village Elementary School

• 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM → 5K Run / 3K Walk starting from Hartland High School Field House

Epley Park

• 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM → Food, beverages, and games

• 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM → High School Band

Hartland’s 91st Annual Memorial Day Parade takes place at noon on Memorial Day. This Lake Country tradition is a strong option if your morning is already booked or if you want a later parade time that does not require getting everyone out the door quite so early. Hartland also typically includes remembrance activities as part of its Memorial Day observance.

Oconomowoc Memorial Day Remembrance

📍 Location: Rhodee Memorial Band Shell at City Beach, Oconomowoc
🕘 Date & Time: Monday, May 25 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
💲 Cost: FREE

Oconomowoc’s Memorial Day Remembrance begins at the Rhodee Memorial Band Shell at City Beach with music from the Oconomowoc Legion Band, speakers, and a meaningful remembrance program. The lakefront setting makes this one especially memorable, because Oconomowoc knows how to make even a solemn community gathering feel beautifully connected to the place.

Pewaukee Memorial Day Celebration & Parade

📍 Location: Pewaukee Cemeteries
🕘 Date & Time: Saturday, May 23 - Monday, May 25 3:00 PM
💲 Cost: FREE, but food and drink for purchase

Saturday, May 23

• Self-guided tour through Forest Hill Cemetery & St. Mary’s Cemetery

Monday, May 25

Parade

• 10:00 AM → Parade starts at Forest Hill Cemetery and ends at Bell Tower Memorial in Kiwanis Village Park

Car Show

• 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM → Car show at Kiwanis Village Park

• Food and drink for purchase

The Pewaukee Memorial Day Parade begins at 10:00 AM and is led by American Legion Post 71. This is a nice family-friendly option for those in the Pewaukee and Lake Country area who want a traditional Memorial Day parade close to home. Bonus points if you can work in a lake view afterward, because Pewaukee makes that pretty easy. (Lake Country Family Fun)

Mukwonago Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony

📍 Location: Various Places in Mukwonago
🕘 Date & Time: Monday May 25 from 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
💲 Cost: FREE

Parade

• Begins at 9:30 AM from Park View Middle School

Cemetery Ceremony

• 9:45 AM at Oak Knoll Cemetery

Ceremonial Address

• 10:30 AM at Washington Avenue Park at the Mukwonago Community Library

• Aerial Flyover during Ceremonial Address

Mukwonago’s Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony begins at 9:30 AM and honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. This is a traditional community event with local veteran participation and a strong focus on remembrance. It is a good choice for families in southern Waukesha County looking for a respectful and meaningful way to start Memorial Day.

Milwaukee County Memorial Day Events

West Allis Memorial Day Observation Ceremony

📍 Location: Veterans Memorial Park (6900 W. National Ave.)

🕘 Date & Time: Monday, May 25 at 11:00 AM

💲 Cost: FREE

📝 Note: Some benches and chairs will be provided, but it is also recommended to bring your own blanket/chair.

Programming includes:

• Presentation of Colors by West Allis Police Department Honor Guard

• The Star-Spangled Banner by West Allis Central High School Chamber Choir with Choir Director Angel Cortez

• Welcome by American Legion Tanner-Paull Post 120 Commander Jared Salbreiter

• City's Tribute by Mayor Dan Devine and Caden Schafer-Rose, a West Allis Central High School student

• Veterans' Tribute by David Wischer, American Legion State Commander 2019-2021

• Post Salute to Departed Comrades by Post Commanders, SAL Commanders, and Auxiliary Presidents

• Prayer by Chaplain Larry Elliot, Retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant

• Flag Ceremony by Scout Troop 595

• Rifle Salute by VFW Krejci-Braun-Meier Post 7485

• Taps Performance by Philip LaPisa, West Allis Police Department (retired)

• God Bless America by the West Allis Central High School Chamber Choir

West Allis will host a Memorial Day Observation Ceremony with patriotic music, tributes, a Presentation of Colors, flag ceremony, rifle salute, and Taps. 

Field of Flags at Veterans Park

📍 Location: Veterans Park, Milwaukee Lakefront
🕘 Date & Time: Open for viewing through Friday, May 22 to Wednesday, May 27
💲 Cost: FREE

Milwaukee’s Field of Flags is one of the most moving Memorial Day displays in the area, with 27,316 flags placed to represent Wisconsin service members killed in action from the Civil War through today. Volunteers will begin building the Field of Flags on Monday morning, May 18 and will start to take them down May 27. It is a quiet, visual reminder of the meaning behind the weekend and a worthwhile stop if you are near the lakefront.

Forest Home Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony

📍 Location: Forest Home Cemetery (2405 West Forest Home Avenue, Milwaukee, WI)

🕘 Date & Time: Monday, May 25 from 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM

💲 Cost: FREE

📝 Note: Guests are welcome to bring their own chairs and/or sit anywhere on the ground to rest or picnic 

Events:

• 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM → Memorial service in the Chapel led by St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Wreath-laying at the Garden of Honor, bugling by Bill Seaman.

• 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM → Visit with notable Milwaukeeans at their graves.

• 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM → Learn how Forest Home evolved along with Milwaukee on this original cemetery tour with historian, educator and author Paul Haubrich.

Forest Home Cemetery will host a Memorial Day ceremony that includes a wreath-laying ceremony, historical reenactments, and a free Milwaukee history tour. It is a thoughtful option for anyone who enjoys local history along with a meaningful Memorial Day observance. Milwaukee has layers, and events like this remind you just how much history is sitting right in our own backyard.

Dan Jansen Family Fest

📍 Location: Konkel Park (5151 W. Layton Avenue, Greenfield, WI)
🕘 Date & Time: Friday May 22 through Sunday, May 24

→ Look at their site for more specific times and events

💲 Cost: FREE, but admission, food, beverages, and some activities may have separate costs

Dan Jansen Family Fest is a Greenfield Memorial Day weekend tradition with live entertainment, food, beverages, and family-friendly activities at Konkel Park. It is a great option if your weekend needs a little music, festival food, and fresh air before Monday’s ceremonies and parades. It is also a good reminder that festival season is officially back, so yes, we are all about to start pretending cheese curds are a food group again.

Enjoy the Weekend, Honor the Meaning U.S.

Memorial Day weekend is a chance to enjoy the communities we call home, but more importantly, it is a time to remember the men and women who gave everything for our country. Whether you attend a parade in Waukesha, a ceremony in Milwaukee, a pancake breakfast in Elm Grove, or a festival in Greenfield, take a moment to pause and honor the meaning behind the long weekend.

The Hupke Team is proud to call Southeastern Wisconsin home and even prouder to support the people who live here. We are more than just agents, we are your neighbors, advocates, and trusted local experts.

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