Charlotte, NC, is celebrating Memorial Day weekend with a dynamic mix of solemn military remembrances, massive sporting events, and outdoor festivals. As the official home of NASCAR, the city anchors the weekend with its biggest racing tradition of the year alongside numerous community activities.
Honor \& Remembrance Ceremonies
- Gethsemane Cemetery Ceremony: Honors fallen service members on Monday, May 25, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM with the CMPD Honor Guard, musical tributes, a traditional horse-drawn caisson, and a guest speaker. It takes place at the\ Gethsemane Cemetery and Memorial Gardens.
- Huntersville Memorial Day Ceremony: Hosted on Monday, May 25, at 11:00 AM at\ Veterans Park. It features the North Mecklenburg Community Chorus and distinguished military speakers.
- Regional Ceremonies: Surrounding communities are also hosting free public services on Monday morning at 10:00 AM, including the Cornelius Town Hall program, a ceremony at the\ Waxhaw Military Wall of Honor, and a service at\ Sharon Memorial Park.
Motorsports Traditions
- The Coca-Cola 600: NASCAR\'s historic, grueling 600-mile race takes place on Sunday, May 24, at 6:00 PM at the\ Charlotte Motor Speedway. The massive weekend includes a pre-race military appreciation show and concerts by Old Dominion and Smash Mouth.
- NASCAR Hall of Fame Events: Located in Uptown Charlotte, the\ NASCAR Hall of Fame\ is hosting the \"Laps with Legends 5k\" on Saturday, May 23, alongside interactive racing simulator challenges all weekend.
Festivals \& Outdoor Entertainment\
- Whitewater Center Memorial Day Celebration: Running Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, this pet-friendly festival features a trail race, multiple outdoor yoga sessions, and live music along the river. Full event timelines are hosted directly on the\ Whitewater Center Event Page.
- Soul Food \& R\&B Picnic: Taking over\ Romare Bearden Park\ in Uptown on Sunday, May 24, starting at 3:00 PM, featuring regional food vendors and R\&B hits.
- Camden Commons: On Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM,\ Camden Road\ in South End completely closes down to vehicles to transform into an outdoor street market with local vendors, lawn games, and live music.\
Seasonal Openings
- Pools and Spraygrounds: Memorial Day weekend serves as the official opening for most public pools, spraygrounds, and lake swimming access points across Mecklenburg County.
