News Summary
This Memorial Day, Florida will celebrate and honor the sacrifices of military service members with a variety of events across Central Florida. Families and individuals are invited to participate in memorial ceremonies, parades, and community gatherings that reflect on the courage and dedication of those who served in the U.S. military. Key events include the Cocoa Riverfront Park Memorial Day Tribute, the Clermont Memorial Vietnam Travelling Wall, and various ceremonies in cities like Windermere, Sanford, and Orlando. This weekend showcases not only remembrance but also community spirit and patriotism.
Florida will pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in military service with an array of ceremonies and events this Memorial Day, which falls on May 26, 2025. The holiday is an opportunity for individuals and families to honor the courageous men and women who have served in the U.S. military and lost their lives in the line of duty. Established as an official federal holiday in 1971 and originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day has become a significant observance in the United States.
Across Central Florida, numerous counties will host memorial ceremonies and community events throughout the holiday weekend. The events aim to provide a space for remembrance and reflection, as well as to celebrate the values and sacrifices that are central to this national observance. The following is a list of notable events planned for Memorial Day weekend in the area:
Cocoa Riverfront Park Memorial Day Tribute
Date: Monday, May 26, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Cocoa Riverfront Park, 401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa, FL 32922
Features: Parade, guest speakers, flag folding ceremony, playing of taps, moment of silence, entertainment.
Cost: Free
Clermont Memorial Vietnam Travelling Wall
Date: Saturday, May 24 – Monday, May 26, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Clermont Highlander Building & Pavilion Complex, 330 3rd Street, Clermont, FL
Cost: Free
Lake County 5th Annual Memorial Day Tribute Car Show
Date: Monday, May 26, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Blake Park, 437 S Lakeview Dr, Lake County, FL 32744
Cost: Free, open to all cars and trucks.
Windermere Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony
Date: Monday, May 26, 10 a.m. – noon
Location: Town Hall, 520 Main Street, Windermere, FL 34786
Cost: Free
Winter Garden Memorial Day Community Celebration
Date: Monday, May 26, 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Location: Veterans Memorial Park, 420 S Park Avenue, Winter Garden, FL 34787
Cost: Free
Sanford Memorial Day Remember and Honor 2025
Date: Monday, May 26, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Location: Veterans Memorial Park, 110 W Seminole Blvd., Sanford, FL 32771
Cost: Free, includes live patriotic music.
Memorial Day Celebration at Decision Tactical
Date: Monday, May 26, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: 430 Towne Center Circle, Sanford, FL 32771
Features: $2 hot dogs, moment of silence at 6 p.m., BOGO simulated shooting experiences.
Cost: Free entry
Florida National Cemetery Ceremony
Date: Monday, May 26, 11 a.m. – noon
Location: Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Ave, Bushnell, FL 33513
Features: Over 2,500 flags placed by volunteers at grave sites.
Cost: Free
Memorial Day wreath laying ceremony at Mount Peace Cemetery
Date: Monday, May 26, 10 a.m.
Location: Mount Peace Cemetery, 755 East 10th St., St. Cloud
Cost: Free
Leesburg Memorial Day program
Date: Saturday, May 24, 10 a.m.
Location: Veterans Memorial Park, 600 West Meadow St., Leesburg
Cost: Free
Orlando VA Memorial Day ceremony
Date: Friday, May 23, 10 a.m.
Location: Orlando VA Medical Center, 13800 Veterans Way, Orlando, FL
Cost: Free
Gotha Woodlawn Memorial Park 75th Annual Remembrance Ceremony
Date: Monday, May 26, 10 a.m.
Location: 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL
Cost: Free
Apopka Memorial Day Service
Date: Monday, May 26, 11 a.m.
Location: Edgewood/Greenwood Cemetery, 141 South Edgewood Drive, Apopka, FL
Cost: Free
This Memorial Day weekend is expected to see record travel in Central Florida, with Orlando alone predicted to welcome over 6.5 million visitors, fueled by tourism to local theme parks and events. Furthermore, a record 2.6 million Floridians are anticipated to travel during the holiday weekend, according to AAA data. This surge in travel underscores the significance of the holiday as families and friends take the time to remember, honor, and celebrate the legacies of those who served in the nation’s armed forces.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- WESH: Memorial Day Events in Central Florida
- Wikipedia: Memorial Day
- Orlando Date Night Guide: Things to Do on Memorial Day
- Google Search: Memorial Day 2025 events
- Click Orlando: Memorial Day 2025 Remembrance Events
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Memorial Day
- MyNews13: Events to Honor America’s Fallen Heroes
- Google News: Memorial Day Ceremonies Central Florida
