{"id":206148,"date":"2026-04-22T16:29:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T16:29:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/206148\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T16:29:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T16:29:12","slug":"how-to-enjoy-memorial-day-in-queens-qns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/206148\/","title":{"rendered":"How to enjoy Memorial Day in Queens \u2013 QNS"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"memorial\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Little Neck-Douglaston hosts one of the nation\u2019s largest Memorial Day parades.<\/p>\n

Photo by Ramy Mahmoud<\/p>\n

\t\t Search our comprehensive guide to things to do in Queens<\/a> for more local events \u2014 or submit your own<\/a>!<\/p>\n

With Memorial Day weekend quickly approaching, there are plenty of ways people can celebrate the holiday in Queens.\n<\/p>\n

Whether it is catching a parade or fireworks, picnicking or barbecuing, Queens is a great place to enjoy the long weekend. Here are some ways Queens residents or visitors can have fun during the holiday and the weekend preceding it.<\/p>\n

Memorial Day parades<\/p>\n

Parades are a staple of Memorial Day, and Queens offers no shortage of them. Among those in the works are the Forest Hills Memorial Day Parade<\/a> on Sunday, May 24, the Ridgewood and Glendale Memorial Day Parade<\/a>, the Maspeth Memorial Day Parade<\/a> and the Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, and much more.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The Francis Lewis JROTC on full display with an impressive number of members marching down Grand Avenue during the 2024 Maspeth Memorial Day Parade. File photo by Anthony Medina
\nPicnicking at a park<\/p>\n

Memorial Day weekend is a great time for friends and families to get together and enjoy picnicking at one of the many parks in Queens. Whether it is Flushing Meadows Corona Park<\/a>, Gantry Plaza State Park<\/a>, Astoria Park<\/a>, Alley Pond Park<\/a>, Jacob Riis Park<\/a> or anywhere else in the borough, there is no shortage of parks perfect for outdoor gatherings celebrating the holiday.<\/p>\n

Barbecuing<\/p>\n

Barbecues are a Memorial Day tradition for many people. Queens residents can go to one of the borough\u2019s many parks to have a barbecue with friends and family, or they can do it from their own homes.<\/p>\n

Going to the beach<\/p>\n

Many people view Memorial Day weekend as the unofficial start of summer. With the weather expected to warm up by then, it could make for a great time to go to one of the beaches in Queens. Rockaway Beach<\/a>, which features miles of sandy shore, a boardwalk and surfing areas, and Jacob Riis Park, which has an extensive sand beach and historic Art Deco structures, are among the most popular beach destinations in the borough.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Queens residents can soak up the sun and take in the waves at Rockaway Beach. Photo via Getty Images
\nVisit local museums or cultural spaces<\/p>\n

Memorial Day weekend could make for a great time to visit one of the many art and cultural institutions in Queens. This includes the Queens Botanical Garden, the Noguchi Museum, the Museum of the Moving Image, MoMA PS1 and many more.<\/p>\n

Watch the fireworks<\/p>\n

Fireworks are a staple of Memorial Day. Queens residents can watch the sky light up that evening from their own homes or at community gathering places, like local parks.<\/p>\n

Eat at popular barbecue restaurants<\/p>\n

For Queens residents who may crave barbecue food, but are not willing or able to make their own, there are plenty of local eateries that specialize in this area. Some of the notable barbecue restaurants in the borough include Pig Beach BBQ<\/a>, which offers a variety of smoked meats, including brisket, ribs and pulled pork, and John Brown BBQ<\/a>, which is best-known for its burnt ends and brisket.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Some of the popular BBQ dishes from Pig Beach Astoria. Photo credit: Pig Beach
\nVeterans tributes<\/p>\n

Many local leaders and organizations will be holding ceremonies honoring United States Veterans in recognition of the holiday. Such annual events include neighborhood tributes from the Woodside Catholic War Veterans Post 870<\/a>, a Memorial Day observance hosted by Council Member Sandra Ung<\/a> and much more.<\/p>\n

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