Memorial Day 2026

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Cemetery Flag Planting
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Volunteers join representatives from Watertown Veterans Services and local veterans’ organizations to replace veteran cemetery flags at Ridgelawn Cemetery and Saint Patrick’s Cemetery. *Rain date scheduled for Thursday, May 21.

Friday, May 22, 2026

Watertown Public Schools Assemblies
8:40 AM – 10:05 AM

Watertown High School and Middle School students honor veterans through video projects and performances. Watch live at WCATV.org/Public or on Comcast Channel 9 or RCN Channel 3.

Poppy Social
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Commander’s Mansion
440 Talcott Avenue, Watertown, MA

The City Events Team and Watertown Veterans’ Services host an Open House at the Commander's Mansion including light refreshments and guided tours of the historic residence located in the Arsenal on the Charles complex. Arrive by 10:30 AM for the Honor and Color Guard wreath-laying ceremony.

Sunday, May 24, 2026

Rolling Procession
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Marine Corps League
215 Mt Auburn St, Watertown, MA

Watertown Veterans Services and local veterans’ organizations will proceed from the Marine Corps League to cemeteries in the City to pay tribute.

Monday, May 25, 2026

Memorial Day Parade
Starts at 12:00 PM

The parade will begin at Watertown City Hall (149 Main Street) and follow the same parade route as the last two years. The procession will go down Main Street, turning right on Waverley Avenue, right on Orchard Street, and concluding at Victor Field with a brief ceremony.

Following the parade, the community is invited to an Open House at the Marine Corps League Shutt Detachment (215 Mt Auburn Street) to share food and connect with local veterans and their families.

Advisory: Residents should expect parking lot closures in and around City Hall starting on Sunday evening. Road closures and parking bans will take effect along Main St, Waverly Ave, Orchard St, and Whites Ave on Sunday evening and through the end of the parade on Monday. Temporary stoppages or diversions should be expected along the route and connecting streets while the parade is ongoing Monday from 11:30am to 1:30pm.

Questions? Please email veterans@watertown-ma.gov.