Best Bay Area events, parades and festivals

Celebrated on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day will see Bay Area organizations marking the occasion with wreath-laying ceremonies, memorial services and special presentations honoring American soldiers and their personal sacrifices made for our country.

But in addition to solemn observances on May 25, the three-day weekend marks the unofficial start to the summer season. Whether you choose to hit the beach for an afternoon barbecue, or brave the crowds at one of the many large-scale events — including Carnaval San Francisco and the BottleRock Napa Valley music festival — there are an abundance of celebratory options to get into some good fun.

Join scouts of all ages to help plant thousands of flags in preparation for the Presidio National Cemetery’s Memorial Day observance. While it is a major service event for local Scouts, friends, families and community volunteers are encouraged to participate in this tribute to fallen U.S. military personnel.

Arrive by 8:45 a.m.; program 9-11 a.m. Saturday, May 23. Free, registration required. San Francisco Presidio National Cemetery, 1 Lincoln Blvd., S.F. www.goldengatescouting.org/memorial-day-flags

Branch 25 of the Royal Canadian Legion San Francisco Bay Area plans to host a program honoring the holiday with members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Arkansas Division.

11 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 23. Free. Greenlawn Memorial Park, 1100 El Camino Real, Colma. 203-997-6330. www.royalcanadianlegionus25.com

Commemorate Memorial Day with a visit to the oldest military cemetery on the West Coast.

10 a.m. Monday, May 25. Free. Birch Road, Benicia. www.cem.va.gov/Memorial-Day

The Marin County United Veterans Council will conduct a program featuring patriotic music, speakers, a flag display and wreath-laying ceremony.

9-11 a.m. Monday, May 25. Free. Marin Center Exhibit Hall, 20 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. 415-473-7000. www.marincenter.marincounty.gov

The town parade kicks off an afternoon filled with Memorial Day activities, including a wreath laying observance and memorial ceremony followed by a carnival with live music and food trucks.

Parade 10 a.m.; observance 11 a.m.; music festival 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday, May 25. Free. Town Hall, 1600 Floribunda Ave., Hillsborough. 650-375-7400. www.hillsborough.net/281/Annual-Memorial-Day-Event

Observe the occasion onboard the USS Hornet with a wreath-laying ceremony, color guard presentation, guest speakers and an Operation Charlie challenge workout and brunch. 

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, May 25. Included with museum admission. USS Hornet Museum,707 W. Hornet Ave., Pier 3, Alameda. 510-521-8448. www.uss-hornet.org

The crew of the USS Pampanito will host a ceremony to honor those who have served and lost their lives while in service to the country at sea.

10 a.m.-noon Monday, May 25. Free. USS Pampanito, Historic Pier 45, S.F. 415-561-6662. www.maritime.org/event/lostboatceremony

Celebrating its 102nd anniversary, the memorial event is set to include a presentation of colors, salute to the fallen, refreshments, walking tours, live music and speakers. 

10 a.m.-noon ceremony; 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. tour Monday, May 25. Free. 5000 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. 510-658-2588. www.mountainviewcemetery.org

Join the City of San Mateo for a ceremony and wreath laying at a Fallen Heroes memorial, which honors San Mateo residents who lost their lives in the line of duty serving as service members, police and firefighters. 

10 a.m. Monday, May 25. Free. Central Park Lawn, 50 E. 5th Ave., San Mateo. www.cityofsanmateo.org

Mark the holiday with a small-town parade and memorial service. Stake out a spot near downtown’s Lytton Square, where some of those marching will pause for brief performances. Be ready for singing, dancing, creative floats and more. A carnival and live music concert continue Monday’s festivities at the community center after the parade.

10:30 a.m. Monday, May 25. Free. Parade route runs from Old Mill Park to Mount Tamalpais High School along Miller Avenue, Mill Valley. www.mviloveaparade.com

Following a formal ceremony and salute at 10:30 a.m., Presidio Chapel will host a meditative concert with organist Alla Gladysheva at 12:15 p.m. Take a self-guided tour of the Presidio’s memorials and monuments. Explore a history exhibition at the Officer’s Club, enjoy local food trucks on the Main Parade Lawn and more.

The Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno will also hold a morning Memorial Day ceremony.

10:30 a.m.-noon Monday, May 25. Free. Presidio National Cemetery, 1 Lincoln Blvd., S.F. and Presidio Chapel, 130 Fisher Loop, the Presidio, S.F. 415-561-3930. www.presidio.gov/explore/events

The San Bruno national cemetery hosts its annual VA Memorial Day commemoration. 

11 a.m. Monday, May 25. Free. 1300 Sneath Lane, San Bruno. www.cem.va.gov/Memorial-Day

The historic Liberty ship sails the bay with a Merchant Marine memorial ceremony, guided ship access and lunch. 

Boarding 9 a.m.; cruise 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 30. $30-$175; veterans/active military and children 7 and under free; reservations required. Pier 35, Fisherman’s Wharf, S.F. 415-544-0100. www.ssjeremiahobrien.org/memorial-cruise

Bring the family and celebrate old-fashioned fun with a 25th anniversary Memorial Day weekend tradition featuring carnival rides, midway games and treats, live entertainment and vendors. On Monday, the event will include an extended outdoor music festival, food and drink vendors and more.

4-10 p.m. Friday, May 22; noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 23-24; noon-5 p.m. Monday, May 25. Free admission; ride tickets and wristbands available. Friends Field, Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley. 415-389-7789. www.cityofmillvalley.gov

The free Mission District celebration features five music stages, DJ block parties, food vendors, cultural pavilions and a grand parade on Sunday morning. 

Festival 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 23-24; parade 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, May 24. Harrison Street between 17th and 24th streets, S.F.; parade starts at 24th and Bryant streets. Free; grandstand tickets available. 415-691-1147. www.carnavalsanfrancisco.org

Celebrate the holiday weekend with live music from the Kymata Band, Greek food, wine and sweet treats, speakers, cultural activities and dancing.  

5-9 p.m. Friday, May 22; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, May 23; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, May 24. Free admission on Friday; $4-$5 Saturday-Sunday. Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church, 1110 Highland Dr., Novato. 415-883-1998. www.nativityofchrist.org/marin-greek-festival

The 35th edition of the popular two day family festival is set to offer carnival rides, live entertainment, character meet-and-greets, a marketplace and food vendors, kids’ activities, and a Memorial Day ceremony scheduled at noon on Monday. 

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday-Monday, May 24-25. $9-$10; under age 2 or 65 and older free; ride tickets $1.50-$80; parking $10. Toyota Concord Pavilion, 2000 Kirker Pass Road, Concord. 925-408-4014. www.kidfestconcord.com

Join West Marin artists open studios in Point Reyes Station, Inverness and Inverness Park for a self-guided holiday weekend art tour. Studio locations map can be found online.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Monday, May 23-25. Free. Various artist studios, Point Reyes Station. www.pointreyesart.com

The popular North Bay fundraising event is scheduled to include a barbecue or vegetarian tamale lunch, dessert, plus live music with Sunhunter and the Andre Pessis All-Stars. There will be craft beer and wine, children’s activities, a raffle and family-friendly fun.

Noon-5 p.m. Sunday, May 24. $10 walk/bike-in; $30 per vehicle. Santos Meadow, 2704 Muir Woods Road, Muir Beach. www.muirbeachfire.com

The annual celebration of all things that fly is set to feature fine art, crafts and specialty food vendors, live entertainment on three stages, children’s activities, professional kite-flying demonstrations and a kite-making workshop.  

The city of San Ramon will host a Memorial Day ceremony from 9-10 a.m. at Memorial Park.

11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday-Monday, May 24-25. Free. Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon. 925-973-2500. www.sanramon.ca.gov

Enjoy Memorial Day afternoon in Bolinas with Thai food, paella, tamales, oysters, live music and drinks.

Noon-5 p.m. Monday, May 25. Free. Bolinas Community Center, 14 Wharf Road, Bolinas. 415-868-2128. www.bocenter.org

The San Francisco-born party pairs DJ sets with barbecue vendors on the SVN West rooftop. 

Hang out for an afternoon celebration with barbecue lunch and live DJ sets from Shawn Looney, Jake D, Amal, Zuri Alexa and Knowpa Slaps.

2-8 p.m. Sunday, May 24. $30-$36.71; 21 and older. SVN West Rooftop, 10 S. Van Ness Ave., S.F. www.rnbandribs.com/events

Hang out with a beverage and enjoy barbecue on the patio as MCs Leigh Crow and Ruby Vixen host a program featuring live music from Joe Rut and the Sunshine Shovelers, Nashville Honeymoon, Noelle and the Deserters and Caravan 222; with DJ Mexican Spitfire spinning old-timey country hits.

2-8 p.m. Monday, May 25. $20; 21 and older. El Rio, 3158 Mission St., S.F. 415-282-3325. www.elriosf.com/calendar