Kick off summer at the Jersey Shore with Memorial Day weekend events across 26 beach towns
Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer at the Jersey Shore, with beach towns opening for the season and hosting parades, festivals, and commemorative events. Honor fallen heroes while enjoying the first beach weekend of the year with warm sand, ocean breezes, and festive celebrations from Cape May to Sandy Hook.
Solemn memorial service at Veterans Memorial Park honoring fallen service members. Parade, wreath laying, and community gathering followed by informal harbor festivities.
Traditional Memorial Day observance honoring fallen service members. Community gathering with wreath laying at the beachfront memorial.
Bradley Beach Memorial Day Festival kicks off summer with a parade along Ocean Avenue, marching bands, food vendors, and live music. Family-friendly celebration honors veterans and launches beach season.
Deal honors fallen service members with a traditional Memorial Day ceremony and parade through the historic residential streets. Small-scale, dignified observance reflecting the community's character.
One of New Jersey's largest Memorial Day parades honors veterans with marching bands, military displays, and community floats through Long Branch. Easily accessible from Elberon beaches.
Manasquan Veterans Day parade honoring fallen service members. Organized by VFW Post 1838, the parade starts at 10:30am from the High School, proceeds down Main Street to Old Squan Plaza with wreath ceremony at 11am. Hundreds attend annually.
Monmouth Beach honors fallen service members with a traditional Memorial Day parade through town followed by beachfront ceremony. Community event features veterans organizations, local officials, and residents.
Neptune City Memorial Day Parade honors fallen heroes with a traditional procession through town featuring local veterans, first responders, and community groups.
Port Monmouth honors fallen veterans with community ceremony and wreath laying at local memorials, reflecting the bayshore's strong military and maritime heritage.
Sea Bright honors fallen veterans with an annual Memorial Day ceremony and parade. Traditional small-town commemoration followed by beach season opening festivities.
Solemn Memorial Day observance at the National Guard Memorial honoring military service members. Features wreath laying, military honors, and community remembrance at the historic Sea Girt National Guard Training Center site.
One of New Jersey's most scenic road races along Spring Lake's pristine 2-mile non-commercial boardwalk and through the town's elegant tree-lined residential neighborhoods.
Traditional yacht club opening with sailboat race on Barnegat Bay, ceremony, and member celebration. Marks the start of the summer sailing season for one of the Shore's most prestigious clubs.
Small-town patriotic parade featuring veterans, local organizations, fire department, and community groups along Bridge Avenue. Reflects Bay Head's traditional values and close-knit community spirit.
Brick Township honors fallen heroes with annual Memorial Day parade through downtown. Community ceremony, veterans groups, local organizations, and families gather to pay respects.
Mantoloking's private beaches open for the season. Extremely limited access for non-residents with daily badges ($15), but no public parking. Beach opening marks the start of the exclusive summer season.
Traditional parade from Borough Hall to Veterans Memorial at Jenkinson's Boardwalk honors fallen service members. Local veterans groups, marching bands, and dignitaries participate in solemn tribute ceremony.
Seaside Heights kicks off summer with beach and boardwalk opening celebrations. Live music, special events, and the unofficial start of the Jersey Shore season draw thousands of visitors.
Traditional beach season kickoff with memorial ceremonies honoring veterans, lifeguard stand openings, and first weekend of full beach operations. Marks the start of summer tourism season.
Tuckerton celebrates maritime heritage with wooden boat displays, traditional Barnegat Bay sneakbox demonstrations, boat building workshops, and live music at the 40-acre Seaport.
Atlantic City Airshow draws 500,000+ spectators for aerial performances over the beach and Boardwalk. Free viewing from beach featuring military aircraft and precision flying teams.
Annual Memorial Day parade honoring veterans, starting at borough hall and proceeding through town to the inlet. Small-town atmosphere with local marching bands, scouts, and veterans groups.
Official start of summer season with live music at Bay Avenue bars, waterfront dining specials, and extended hours across the strip.
Free family event featuring professional kite fliers from around the world showcasing giant show kites, stunt kites, and kite-making workshops on North Wildwood beach.
Official summer season kickoff with extended hours at Deauville Inn and Twisties. Beach volleyball and community cookouts mark the start of free beach access season.
Official start of summer on the boardwalk with all Morey's Piers rides open, live entertainment, fireworks, and classic car shows.