Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer in Northeast Ohio, and this year the calendar is packed. Whether you live on a quiet street in South Euclid or in a walk-up off Cedar-Fairmount, there's a parade, a festival, or a plate of ribs within fifteen minutes of your front door. Here's how to make the most of it.
Parades close to home
Most of our neighborhoods host their own Memorial Day observance on Monday, May 25. A few worth circling:
- Cleveland Heights — 10:30 a.m. ceremony at the Cumberland Park Veterans Memorial, 1740 Cumberland Road.
- Euclid — Parade steps off at 10 a.m. on East 222nd Street, running from the Shore Cultural Centre to the Euclid Public Library. This year's theme is "Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future."
- Shaker Heights — 9 a.m. start at Lee Road and Van Aken Boulevard, marching east into the Van Aken District.
- University Heights — 11 a.m. on Silsby Road, ending at Gearity School. Locally billed as the longest-running Memorial Day parade on the East Side, held every year since 1966 (save 2020).
- Cleveland — A 10:30 a.m. ceremony at the James A. Garfield Memorial inside Lakeview Cemetery, 12316 Euclid Ave. Bring a lawn chair; rain location is inside the mausoleum.
If you're up early on Saturday, the Joint Veterans Council of Lakewood and Rocky River places more than 4,000 flags on veterans' graves at Lakewood Park Cemetery at 8:30 a.m. — a quiet, powerful way to start the weekend. Full list of parades is at Signal Cleveland.
Festivals worth the drive
Two giant ones run from today through Monday:
The 53rd annual Tremont Greek Festival at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church (2187 W. 14th St.) runs noon to midnight Friday through Sunday and noon to 8 p.m. on Monday. Expect pastitsio, moussaka, lamb shanks, gyros, and live Greek dancing. It's been a Memorial Day tradition for over half a century and it earns the hype.
Berea's National Rib Cook-Off and Beerfest is back at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in Middleburg Heights, with more than ten ribbers competing for Best Ribs, Best Sauce, and People's Choice. Live music spans country, rock, disco, and Motown. Wear something you don't mind splattering (Cleveland Magazine).
Down on the lakefront, Reggae Fest Cleveland takes over Voinovich Park at the East 9th Street Pier on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's lineup includes Luciano, Mighty Mystic, and local favorites Yard Squad and Lake Erie; Sunday brings Kabaka Pyramid and Carlos Jones & the P.L.U.S. Band. Food trucks all weekend.
Concerts, ball games, and a little culture
- Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band play Rocket Arena on Friday night as part of the Land of Hopes & Dreams tour. If you didn't get a ticket, the cheap seats are still moving on resale.
- The Cleveland Orchestra closes out its Mandel Opera & Humanities Festival ("Courage") at Severance with Beethoven's Fidelio on Sunday, May 24.
- The Guardians host the Washington Nationals at Progressive Field on Memorial Day.
- Over at Playhouse Square, Freak the Mighty opens at the Allen Theatre and runs through June 21.
Free and almost-free family stuff
The Greater Cleveland Aquarium is offering free general admission to military members and first responders on Memorial Day, and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo keeps its $12 military ticket year-round. Cedar Point is comping a one-day ticket for active and retired military, with half-off for family and friends (Destination Cleveland).
Saturday morning farmers markets are also running as usual — North Union at Shaker Square is the closest pick for our Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, and University Heights residents, and it's a good spot to load up on produce and BBQ fixings before guests show up.
A quick note before you head out
Trash and recycling pickup will shift a day in most Greater Cleveland municipalities because of the Monday holiday — check your city's website if you're not sure. And if you're firing up the grill on a balcony or shared patio, double-check your lease and your city's open-flame rules. Maple Heights, Garfield Heights, and Cleveland proper all have specific distance requirements that catch first-time grillers off guard every year.
However you spend it, take a beat on Monday morning to remember what the holiday is actually for. The parades aren't decoration — they're the point.
If you're new to the area and looking for a place to land before summer really kicks in, browse our current listings or get in touch. We'd love to help you find a home in the neighborhood that fits you best.
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