Memorial Day 2027 falls on Monday, May 31, 2027 — the last Monday of May, as set by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968. It’s a federal holiday, and this guide covers the exact date, the three-day weekend schedule, the holiday’s history, and how Americans typically observe it.
Quick Answer
- Date: Monday, May 31, 2027
- Day of the week: Monday (always the last Monday in May)
- Type: U.S. federal holiday
- Three-day weekend: Saturday, May 29 – Monday, May 31, 2027
- Next year’s date: Memorial Day 2028 falls on Monday, May 29
How Many Days Until Memorial Day 2027?
Use the live countdown below it updates automatically based on today’s date.
Memorial Day 2027 countdown Timer.
Why Is Memorial Day 2027 So Late in May?
Memorial Day always lands on the last Monday of May, not a fixed calendar date. In 2027, May has five Mondays (May 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31), so the holiday falls on the latest possible date it can — May 31. This is the same rule that pushed Memorial Day to May 30 in 2022 and will place it on May 29 in 2028. For comparison, here’s how the date shifts across nearby years:
| Year | Memorial Day Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday, May 25 |
| 2027 | Monday, May 31 |
| 2028 | Monday, May 29 |
| 2029 | Monday, May 28 |
| 2030 | Monday, May 27 |
Curious about this year’s date instead? See our full Memorial Day 2026 guide or check when Memorial Day falls in 2026.
Memorial Day 2027 Weekend Schedule
- Saturday, May 29, 2027 — Weekend begins; early ceremonies and travel getaway departures start.
- Sunday, May 30, 2027 — Continuation of weekend activities, cookouts, and travel.
- Monday, May 31, 2027 — Official Memorial Day observance; federal holiday.
History of Memorial Day
Memorial Day began in the years following the Civil War as “Decoration Day,” a day set aside to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. General John A. Logan, commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued the first official proclamation on May 5, 1868, calling for observance on May 30 of that year. The holiday’s purpose has stayed consistent ever since: honoring U.S. military personnel who died while serving.
Memorial Day is distinct from Veterans Day, which honors all who served, living and deceased. In 1971, Congress moved Memorial Day from the fixed date of May 30 to the last Monday in May under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, creating the long weekend familiar today. You can read the full account of the holiday’s origins on Wikipedia’s Memorial Day entry or dig deeper on our own Memorial Day history and facts page.
How Memorial Day Is Traditionally Observed
National Moment of Remembrance
At 3:00 p.m. local time, Americans are encouraged to pause for one minute of silence — the National Moment of Remembrance — to honor those who died in military service.
Visiting Cemeteries and Memorials
- Placing American flags on the graves of fallen soldiers
- Laying flowers and wreaths at memorials
- Visiting national cemeteries, many maintained by the National Cemetery Administration
Flying the Flag Correctly
The U.S. flag is flown at half-staff from dawn until noon, then raised to full-staff until sunset — mourning the fallen in the morning, then honoring their sacrifice for the rest of the day.
Wearing a Red Poppy
Many Americans wear a red poppy as a remembrance symbol, a tradition inspired by the World War I poem “In Flanders Fields.”
Major Events Around Memorial Day 2027
- Indianapolis 500 — traditionally run on Memorial Day weekend.
- National Memorial Day Concert — held on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
- Local parades and memorial services in communities nationwide.
Looking for something happening near you? Browse our guide to Memorial Day parades by city for ideas that carry over year to year.
Is Memorial Day 2027 a Federal Holiday? What’s Closed?
Yes — Memorial Day is one of eleven official U.S. federal holidays recognized by the Office of Personnel Management. On Monday, May 31, 2027, expect the following:
- Federal and most state government offices closed
- Banks and post offices closed
- Stock markets (NYSE, Nasdaq) closed
- Most public schools closed (many will have already ended the school year)
- Many private businesses closed or on reduced hours; essential services and much retail stay open
Planning for Memorial Day Weekend 2027
Travel
Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest travel periods of the year and marks the unofficial start of summer. Book flights, hotels, and rental cars early, expect heavy highway and airport traffic — especially Friday afternoon through Monday evening — and plan for crowds at popular destinations. For inspiration, see our Memorial Day getaway ideas.
Food and Gatherings
Barbecues, picnics, and cookouts are a Memorial Day weekend staple. Plan your menu with our Memorial Day menu planner, browse our BBQ recipe collection, or check our picnic essentials checklist before you shop.
Shopping and Sales
Memorial Day weekend is traditionally one of the biggest sales weekends of the year for furniture, mattresses, appliances, and outdoor gear as retailers roll out early-summer discounts. Get a head start with our Memorial Day sales guide.
Home and Decor
If you’re hosting, our patriotic home decor ideas and easy Memorial Day crafts for kids are useful starting points for the whole family.
Meaningful Ways to Honor Memorial Day 2027
- Attend a local ceremony or parade to show support for veterans and Gold Star families.
- Volunteer to help place flags at a national cemetery or assist a veterans organization.
- Observe the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 p.m. local time.
- Visit a war memorial or military museum in your area.
- Share the holiday’s history with children so the meaning behind the long weekend isn’t lost.
- Support veteran-owned businesses and organizations serving military families, such as those listed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Want words to mark the occasion? Browse our collection of Memorial Day quotes.
Other Observances Also Called “Memorial Day”
A few unrelated observances share the “Memorial Day” name and sometimes cause confusion in search results:
- Peace Officers Memorial Day — May 15 each year, honoring fallen law enforcement officers.
- Workers’ Memorial Day — April 28, marking workers killed or injured on the job.
- Confederate Memorial Day — observed on varying dates in a handful of Southern states.
- International Holocaust Remembrance Day and Yom HaZikaron (Israel’s memorial day) — separate national/international remembrance days unrelated to the U.S. federal holiday.
This guide covers the U.S. federal Memorial Day observed on the last Monday of May. See Wikipedia’s overview if you’re researching one of the related observances above.
Memorial Day and Labor Day 2027
Memorial Day (Monday, May 31, 2027) unofficially opens the summer season, while Labor Day (Monday, September 6, 2027) closes it. Together they bookend the U.S. summer travel and events calendar. See our Labor Day guide for more on the September holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Memorial Day 2027?
Memorial Day 2027 is on Monday, May 31, 2027.
What day of the week is Memorial Day 2027?
Memorial Day always falls on a Monday. In 2027, that’s May 31.
Is Memorial Day 2027 a federal holiday?
Yes. Memorial Day is one of eleven official U.S. federal holidays, so federal offices, banks, post offices, and stock markets are closed.
How many days until Memorial Day 2027?
Use the live countdown near the top of this page — it updates automatically to show the exact number of days remaining.
Why is Memorial Day on May 31 in 2027?
Because Memorial Day is defined as the last Monday in May, and May 2027 has five Mondays, with the last one falling on May 31.
What is the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?
Memorial Day honors military members who died while serving. Veterans Day (November 11) honors all who have served, living and deceased.
When is Memorial Day weekend 2027?
The three-day weekend runs from Saturday, May 29 through Monday, May 31, 2027.
Looking ahead: Memorial Day 2027 gives Americans a long weekend to reflect on the sacrifices of fallen service members while marking the start of summer. For more on this year’s observance, visit our Memorial Day 2026 guide, or head back to the National Days & Events Guide homepage for more upcoming U.S. holidays and observances.