WorldTimePortal
Memorial Day: dates, traditions and planning
When is Memorial Day 2026?
Memorial Day 2026 is Monday, 25 May, in ISO week 22. The long weekend runs from Saturday, 23 May to Monday, 25 May.
Because the rule is always the last Monday in May, the date moves between 25 and 31 May. The five-year table above shows the exact date, weekday and ISO week for each year.
When is Memorial Day 2027?
Memorial Day 2027 is Monday, 31 May, in ISO week 22 — the latest possible date. The long weekend runs from Saturday, 29 May to Monday, 31 May.
Many people treat the weekend as the unofficial start of summer, with travel, beach trips and barbecues. Book accommodation early, as demand is high.
What is Memorial Day for?
Memorial Day honours the men and women who died while serving in the US armed forces. It began after the Civil War as Decoration Day, when graves were decorated with flowers; General John A. Logan called for a national observance on 30 May 1868.
The Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved the holiday to the last Monday in May, effective from 1971. It is different from Veterans Day in November, which honours everyone who has served.
The National Moment of Remembrance
Americans are asked to pause for one minute at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for the National Moment of Remembrance. Because it is local time, the moment happens at different instants across US time zones.
By custom, the US flag is flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon, then raised to full staff.
Explore the 2027 United States calendar with week numbers for holidays and clock changes. For exact intervals use the date calculator, compare cities in the meeting planner, or set a different event time in the custom countdown. The sunrise and sunset tool helps with outdoor plans.
