What’s there to do Memorial Day Weekend in Charlotte? A lot! Memorial Day in Charlotte will feature events celebrating the beginning of summer, as well as events to honor our fallen military personnel. You can jump right to the list of Memorial Day ceremonies.
Memorial Day is Monday, May 25, 2026, and Memorial Day Weekend starts Friday, May 22.
We are also sharing information on Memorial Day freebies and discounts when they’re announced. And we also have a schedule below of everything on our event calendar for Memorial Day Weekend, 2026.
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Memorial Day Weekend 2026 Events
Memorial Day Celebration at U.S. National Whitewater Center
The Whitewater Center’s Memorial Day Celebration is back! It will take place Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, 2026, with the main celebration being Sunday. The festival includes a trail race, yoga and live music. Admission is free, and parking is $13. Regular prices apply to the activities at the Whitewater Center like rafting, climbing and zip-lining, and competitions require fees as well.
Outdoor concerts
Check out a very big list of outdoor concerts taking place all over the Charlotte region! Most on the list are free to attend.
Swim and Splash
Many area pools and spraygrounds open this weekend! Check out the details of the places to swim in the Charlotte area, including lakes and a quarry!
Free Block Party at Keith Clinic
Keith Clinic Estramonte Chiropractic is hosting a free block party on Memorial Day. Stop by its location at 4016 Triangle Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina, on Monday, May 25, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for free burgers, snow cones, a bounce house and more.
Drive-In Movie
Two drive-in theaters in our region are operating this spring: Badin Road Drive-In in Albemarle and Belmont Drive-In in Belmont.
Hiking
Please check out our huge list of 50+ hikes and walks in and near Charlotte. You’ll find plenty of interesting hikes on greenways and nature preserves right in Charlotte, as well as hikes to spectacular waterfalls, mountain views and more, just a short drive away.
Memorial Day Weekend Freebies and Discounts
7-Eleven
Through Aug. 25, 2026, Slurpee fans can sip on a large Slurpee for just $1 every Monday to Friday (including on Memorial Day, May 25) at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes locations — from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The deal is only available for 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards members.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Through June 10, 2026, Buffalo Wild Wings is offering its Bottomless Appetizers for just $9.99. That price is for up to four diners.
Choose from five fan-favorite appetizers — served two at a time.
Bonefish Grill
Vets are honored every day at Bonefish Grill. The restaurant’s Heroes Discount is offered all year long — 10% off for all service members, veterans and first responders.
KFC
For a limited time, KFC is offering a new Value Feast line-up with the introduction of three KFC Box Feasts — priced at $7, $9 and $11.
Each box includes fries and a medium drink.
KFC also just introduced its new $10 “Bucket of the Day” deal, available each weekday — Monday to Friday.
Olive Garden
If you take the whole family to Olive Garden, enjoy an extra take-home entrée for just $6. Pick up enough extra meals to enjoy over the holiday weekend. Choose from Fettuccine Alfredo, Five Cheese Ziti al Forno and Spaghetti with Meat Sauce.
Outback Steakhouse
Vets are honored every day at Outback Steakhouse. The restaurant’s Heroes Discount is offered all year long — 10% off for all service members, veterans and first responders.
Popeyes
Through Aug. 31, 2026, Popeyes is offering its $5 Faves Menu with three pieces of signature chicken, three chicken strips, two sides or a chicken sandwich as affordable options.
A family of four could dine for $25.
Red Lobster
For a limited time, Red Lobster is offering its popular Endless Shrimp special — price and participation varies by location.
Choose from Marry Me Shrimp, Shrimp Linguini Alfredo, Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, Garlic Shrimp Scampi and Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp.
Shake Shack
May is National Burger Month. To celebrate, Shake Shack is offering a different burger for FREE every week with a minimum $10 purchase.
Over the Memorial Day weekend, depending on when you go, you could enjoy a FREE Bacon Cheeseburger on May 23 and 24 or FREE ShackBurger on May 25, 2026.
Memorial Day Ceremonies
Huntersville Memorial Day Ceremony
The Town of Huntersville is holding its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 11 a.m., at Veterans Park, 201 Huntersville-Concord Road, Huntersville, NC. The event includes speeches and special music.
Cedar Grove Cemetery Memorial Day Program
Cedar Grove Cemetery, 2400 Hildebrand Street, Charlotte, North Carolina, was once a 67 acres tract of land. Planned as a large African American cemetery, the land was apportioned to developers and the city of Charlotte over the last 100 years. All that remains of the once beautiful cemetery is around 1.8 acres of land with an unknown number of graves.
Attend a Memorial Day Program at Cedar Grove Cemetery on May 25, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Indian Trail Memorial Day Ceremony
The Town of Indian Trail is holding a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 11 a.m., at VFW Post 2423, 100 VFW Lane, Indian Trail, North Carolina.
Kings Mountain Memorial Day Ceremony
The City of Kings Mountain is holding a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 10 a.m., at Patriots Park, 220 S Railroad Avenue, Kings Mountain, NC.
Waxhaw Memorial Day Ceremony
The Town of Waxhaw is holding a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 10 a.m., at Military Wall of Honor, 109 E North Main Street, Waxhaw, NC.
Memorial Day service at Sharon Memorial Park
McEwen Funeral Service is hosting a Memorial Day service at Sharon Memorial Park. Sharon Memorial Park is at 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC, on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 10 a.m. After the service, refreshments will be provided.
Memorial Day program in Cornelius
The Town of Cornelius and Legion Post 86’s Memorial Day program will take place Monday, May 25, 2026, at 10 a.m., at Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius, NC.
Kannapolis Memorial Day Ceremony
The City of Kannapolis’ Memorial Day Ceremony takes place Monday, May 25, 2026, at 12 p.m., at Kannapolis City Hall, 401 Laureate Way, Kannapolis, NC. It was moved inside because of the forecasted rain.
Fort Mill Memorial Day Ceremony
The Town of Fort Mill, South Carolina, is holding a Memorial Day Ceremony at Unity Cemetery, 303 Tom Hall Street, Fort Mill, South Carolina, on Monday, May 27, 2024, at 10 a.m.
Memorial Day Ceremony at Gethsemane Cemetery
A Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at Gethsemane Cemetery and Memorial Gardens, 1504 W Sugar Creek Road, Charlotte, NC, on Monday, May 25, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. It includes a speaker, Caisson procession, CMDP Honor Guard presentation, musical tributes and lunch.
