Celebrating Memorial Day Weekend in Charlotte. What to Wear, Where to Go, What to Do.

May 21, 2023

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America and is officially observed on the last Monday in May. It’s also the unofficial kick-off of summer, and is celebrated around the QC with events both solemn and festive. It’s a day for picnics, cookouts, outdoor fun, commemorative events, and even fireworks. Here’s the scoop on Celebrating Memorial Day Weekend in Charlotte this year.

Where to Go and What to Do

Ceremonies & Remembrance Events

On Saturday 5/27 of Memorial Day Weekend Blackhawk Hardware (along with other ACE stores) is giving out free 8″x12″ stick flags as a tribute to a fallen serviceman or servicewomen. No purchase necessary/ while supplies last. For every flag given away, a second one will be donated to a local VFW Post to be used for marking and honoring veterans’ graves this Memorial Day.

Memorial Day Waxhaw Every year, the Town of Waxhaw honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country with a memorial ceremony. Due to construction near the Military Wall, the 2023 Memorial Day event will be held at the Community Corner in downtown Waxhaw at 10 AM.

Memorial Day Ceremony in Huntersville The Town of Huntersville and American Legion Post 321 invite you to the 22nd Annual Memorial Day Ceremony taking place at Veterans Park (201 Huntersville-Concord Rd., Huntersville) on Monday, May 29, 2023. The ceremony will begin at 11:00am. This event is FREE to the public.

Memorial Day Observance in Cornelius Monday, May 29 10 a.m., join the Town of Cornelius and American Legion Post 86 to honor our nation’s servicemen and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. This ceremony will be held on the lawn across from the Cornelius Veterans Monument at Rotary Plaza. Following the ceremony, we will head across the street for light refreshments, courtesy of the Exchange Club of North Mecklenburg and Fresh Chef. Then, at approximately 11:40 a.m., they will show the movie Devotion (PG-13) in the Cain Center theatre. All events are free and open to the public.

Memorial Weekend Celebrations & Events

Whitewater Center Memorial Day Celebration Start the holiday with a Saturday morning race through the Whitewater Center’s trail system to go with pass activities and yoga. Enjoy live music throughout the weekend.

Coca Cola 600 Nascar, Sunday, 5/28. Rev up your Memorial Day weekend with the historic 64th running of the Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR’s toughest test of man and machine! Coca-Cola 600 festivities include: A pre-race concert featuring The Doobie Brothers and Military Appreciation Activities and Performances.

Memorial Day Weekend Block Party at Lake Norman Old Town Public House Join OTPH and Thigs Cocktail Bar to officially kick off the summer season here in the LKN Social District on Sat May 27 (1pm-12am) at their 2nd Annual Memorial Day Weekend Block Party! Bring the whole family and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon and evening of live music, drinks, food and great friends. Lots more deets at the link.

What to Eat

Oyster Happy Hour at The Waterman locations the Friday before Memorial Day AND on Memorial Day Monday.

FRIDAY BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY
Oyster Happy Hour – $1.50 house oysters from 2-7pm
Lunch special – Fisherman’s Pick $10 – beer-battered cod, house-made pickle, cole slaw, tartar, brioche bun

MEMORIAL DAY
Open for regular business hours
Oyster Happy Hour – $1.50 house oysters from 2-7pm
Lunch special – The Sedgefield Burger $10 – American cheese, lettuce, tomato, house-made pickle, Waterman Sauce, brioche bun

SEA LEVEL MEMORIAL DAY
Closed for lunch, open for Dinner at 4pm
Oyster Happy Hour – $1.50 house oysters from 4-6pm

Celebrate National Hamburger Day with a few of our faves:

Link & Pin:

House Burger (Black garlic aioli, Swiss, pickled green tomatoes, sunny side egg, candied jalapeno bacon. Served with hand-cut fries).
Backyard Burger (Swiss, Baby Arugula, Tomato, Onion, Pickles, Roasted Garlic Aioli. Served with Hand Cut Fries)
Impossible Burger (vegetarian- Chipotle Sauce, Baby Arugula, onion. Tomatoes, Pickles, Served with Hand Cut Fries)

Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse:

Along with Duckworth’s five fabulous craft burgers on the menu (including the Big. Bad. Burger that has house-made onion straws and bourbon glaze, swoon) , they also have an incredible deal to Create Your Own Burger for $10.99. They hand-patty all their burgers in-housing using their own fresh custom grind of short rib & brisket.