The custom of honoring ancestors by cleaning cemeteries and decorating graves is an ancient and worldwide tradition, but the specific origin of Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it was first known, are unclear.
It is celebrated in a number of ways in U.S. Check out some of the ways to celebrate this wonderful event.
1. Watch the Memorial Day Parade.
Join together with thousands of people to honor our veterans and active duty military at the annual Memorial Day Parade, which will begin at noon on May 28 and run south on State Street from Lake Street to Van Buren Street. Make sure to catch the Wreath Laying Ceremony, which gives special recognition to America’s fallen heroes and their survivors, at the Eternal Flame on Daley Plaza. During the parade, you can spread some wonderful messages on this Memorial Day with the help of In Memory Of Wristbands. This will help people to remember the freedom fighters.
2. Experience the attractions at Navy Pier.
Bringing the family? There’s no shortage of attractions for kids, especially when Navy Pier is on your list. Start at the Chicago Children’s Museum, where kids can enjoy interactive exhibits, including the new Zoom Room exhibit, featuring hundreds of toy cars and more than 40 tracks of every length, height and angle, including two bi-level crash courses. If you’re looking for free Chicago attractions, you won’t want to miss the summertime fireworks at Navy Pier, which kicks off Memorial Day weekend and occurs twice weekly through Labor Day. Navy Pier is also home to the new 20-story Ferris wheel, an IMAX theater and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. While you’re here, get a peek at the reimagined Pier with new local restaurants and a communal dining area boasting unrestricted views of the Lake Michigan waterfront.
3. Take a fireworks cruise.
Experience the summertime Navy Pier fireworks shows with the best seats imaginable — on a Lake Michigan cruise. Watch the fireworks on a cruise with Seadog or Wendella, learn about Chicago’s great buildings on an architecture and fireworks cruise with Shoreline, indulge in an open bar while watching the fireworks on a Chicago Line fireworks cruise, or enjoy a leisurely fireworks dinner cruise aboard the Odyssey, Spirit of Chicago or Mystic Blue.
4. Take in the sights and sounds at a street fair.
Warm weather means street fairs and festivals in Chicago. Over Memorial Day weekend, take your pick. Kick off summer street fest season at Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival (May 28-29), where local tribute bands, indie vendors and local foods are the draw. Shop one-of-a-kind artwork, swoon-worthy antiques, vintage clothing, home furnishings and more at Randolph Street Market Festival (May 28-29). Get a taste of authentic Mexican culture at Mole de Mayo (May 27-29), featuring food vendors, live music, an open-air market and Lucha Libre wrestling. Treat yourself to gelato tastings in Millennium Park at the Gelato World Tour (May 27-29).
