Your Memorial Day Weekend Guide
Salt Lake County, Utah — May 23–26, 2026
From ceremonies and car shows to hiking, food, and live music — everything you need to make the most of the long weekend.
Cindy Uriona | Cindy Uriona Real Estate Group
(801) 432-7777 | CindyUriona.com






Honor & Remember
Memorial Day starts with meaning. Here are the most significant ceremonies happening across Salt Lake County this weekend:
Monday, May 26 | 10AM | South steps of the Utah State Capitol
Free and open to the public. Remarks from state leaders, patriotic music, a 21-gun salute by the Utah National Guard, and a wreath and flag display throughout the day.
Monday, May 26 | 9AM | Utah Military Museum, Historic Fort Douglas
The day begins with a march from the museum to the cemetery, followed by performances, a guest speaker, wreath laying, a gun salute, and a memorial prayer. The Utah Military Museum is free and open 9AM–4PM.
Monday, May 26 | 10AM–11AM
An annual community tradition featuring a flag ceremony by the Hill Air Force Base Honor Guard, patriotic music performances, and remarks from state officials.
Japanese American Veterans Memorial Service
Sunday, May 25 | 8:30AM | Salt Lake City Cemetery, 951 E. 11th Avenue
A moving ceremony honoring the sacrifices of World War II veterans of Japanese descent, hosted by multiple community organizations and faith communities.
Saturday Events
Travis Manion Foundation —
The Honor Project
Saturday, May 24 | 9AM
Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park, Bluffdale
More than 2,500 volunteers across 60 cemeteries nationwide will place commemorative tokens for fallen service members. A powerful way to start the weekend.
Memorial Day Bar Crawl — Downtown Salt Lake City
Saturday, May 24 | Evening
An annual tradition for those looking to kick off the long weekend in downtown SLC. Check Eventbrite for current stops and ticket info.
Monday Events
Monday, May 26 | 10AM–2PM
Veterans Memorial Park, West Jordan
Classic cars, food trucks, and live music in one of Salt Lake County's most beloved Memorial Day traditions. Free to attend.
West Valley City Memorial Day Ceremony
Monday, May 26 | 9AM
Utah Veterans Memorial, 3234 S Cultural Center Dr.
A community ceremony honoring fallen service members. Open to the public.
Monday, May 26 | 7AM–11AM
Main Street Park, 5900 W 13000 S
A full community breakfast ($10/person — pancakes, ham, hashbrowns, juice, and coffee) followed by a ceremony at Herriman City Cemetery at 9AM. Tickets available in advance online.
Monday, May 26 | 10AM
City View Event Center, 1001 11th Ave.
Gather with the community this Memorial Day at Historic City View for a heartfelt program, live music, and complimentary food and refreshments.
National Moment of Remembrance
Monday, May 26 | 3PM
Wherever you are
At 3PM on Memorial Day, the nation pauses for one minute to honor fallen service members. A simple but meaningful tradition.
Outdoor Adventures
Memorial Day weekend in Salt Lake County means summer is officially here. Take advantage of it.
A peaceful, meaningful spot for the holiday weekend. Features memorials dedicated to Utah's veterans, a replica of the Liberty Bell, and miles of paths for walking, biking, and jogging through City Creek Canyon.
Liberty Park & Sugar House Park
Liberty Park offers 80 acres of walking paths, tennis courts, a pond, and playgrounds. Sugar House Park features wide open green space, a large pond, and gorgeous Wasatch views — perfect for a long weekend picnic.
A Salt Lake County favorite for hiking and biking. The lower canyon is free on weekdays; a small fee applies on weekends. Multiple trail options from easy walks to strenuous hikes.
Big & Little Cottonwood Canyons
Donut Falls, Lake Blanche, and Twin Lakes Reservoir are all worth the drive in Big Cottonwood. In Little Cottonwood, the wildflowers are typically spectacular in late May — Albion Basin and the Cecret Lake trail are iconic and family-friendly.
Family Fun
Salt Lake County is packed with world-class family attractions. Here are the top picks for the long weekend:
Open daily. One of the top family attractions in Salt Lake County. Budget extra time — Memorial Day weekend is one of their busiest of the year.
World-class dinosaur exhibits, Utah geology, and Native cultures. A great rainy-day option or a welcome cool-down on a hot afternoon.
Free admission to the main floor exhibits. IMAX and dome shows available for purchase.
A working 1890s farm with animals, farm activities, and seasonal events. One of Salt Lake County's best-kept family secrets. Admission is low or free for many activities.
Sharks, penguins, and thousands of marine animals in Draper. A great full-morning or afternoon outing for kids of all ages.
Eat, Drink & Enjoy
Salt Lake County's food scene has never been better. A few standouts for the long weekend:
9th and 9th Neighborhood
One of SLC's most walkable and beloved dining pockets. Pop into Caffe Niche, Tulie Bakery, or Pago for a leisurely long-weekend brunch or lunch.
Dozens of locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, and bars within walking distance of each other. A great neighborhood base for the weekend.
From Viet Pho to Log Haven to Red Iguana (worth the wait), downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods have something for every appetite and budget.
A Salt Lake City institution. Legendary mole, always busy. Arrive early or expect a line — especially on a holiday weekend.
The KOA campground near the city is hosting a Memorial Day BBQ with proceeds going to the Care Camps Foundation. A fun, casual, community option for the holiday.
Farmers Markets
The Downtown SLC Farmers Market at Pioneer Park typically kicks off its summer season in late May. Check their schedule for Memorial Day weekend hours.
Live Music & Entertainment
One of the marquee live music events of the weekend in Salt Lake City. Check Eventbrite for venue, time, and ticket details.
A local favorite with rotating live music, excellent craft beer, and a great patio. Worth stopping by any night of the weekend.
Day Trips Worth the Drive
If you want to get out of the valley for a day, these destinations are worth every mile:
1
30 min from SLC — Main Street is alive all summer long. Browse galleries, grab lunch, or ride the Park City Mountain Resort's summer lift for stunning Wasatch views.
2
45 min from SLC — Bison, stunning Great Salt Lake views, and miles of hiking and biking trails. One of Utah's most underrated state parks.
3
Provo & Utah Lake
45 min south — Utah Lake State Park offers boating, fishing, and lakeside recreation. Combine with a visit to downtown Provo's restaurant scene for a full day trip.
4
American Fork Canyon — Book your cave tour tickets in advance — they sell out fast on holiday weekends. The hike up is steep but worth it.
Tips for the Weekend
A few things that will make your Memorial Day weekend in Salt Lake County go more smoothly:
Traffic
UDOT consistently reports Memorial Day as one of the highest-traffic weekends of the year on Utah roads. If you're heading to the canyons or Park City, go early — before 9AM — or plan to go later in the evening on your way back.
Trails and Parks
Popular trailheads in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon fill up fast on holiday weekends. Arrive before 8AM for a parking spot. Carpooling is always a good idea.
Ceremonies
Most Memorial Day ceremonies are free and open to the public. No registration required. Dress comfortably and arrive 10–15 minutes early for a good spot.
Weather
Late May in Salt Lake City typically means warm, sunny days with highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s. Afternoons in the canyons can still be cool — bring a layer.
Restaurant Waits
Popular spots like Red Iguana will have longer-than-usual waits on the holiday weekend. Call ahead, arrive early, or plan for a later dinner.
From Our Team
Memorial Day is one of our favorite weekends in Salt Lake County — and after many years of calling this area home, we can tell you there is genuinely no better place to spend it.
Whether you're a longtime local or someone thinking about making Salt Lake City or the Wasatch Front your next home, we hope this weekend reminds you of everything that makes this community so special.
From the mountains to the valley, the ceremonies to the hikes, the food to the people — this place is worth showing up for.
Happy Memorial Day.

Cindy Uriona | Cindy Uriona Real Estate Group
(801) 432-7777 | CindyUriona.com