Memorial Day Weekend Events in Tampa Bay to Kick-Off Summer Break
Oh, how we've longed for this weekend to come–Memorial Day weekend, the “unofficial start of the summer season” is finally upon us and it's safe to say we're all ready for some family-friendly fun this summer in Tampa Bay! (The first day of summer is actually June 20 in case you were wondering.)
Related: Florida Resident Deals at Theme Parks and Attractions
Before we go into some ways to celebrate the start of the summer season, it is important to remember the spirit of Memorial Day. While the holiday weekend is often referred to as the “unofficial start of summer”, it is also an important holiday for us all to stop, remember, and honor the men and women who have sacrificed their lives to protect our country.
What is Memorial Day and why do we celebrate Memorial Day?
The holiday dates back to the spring of 1865 when the Civil War ended –a war that took the lives of 65,000 people and resulted in the the nation's first national cemeteries. In the years that followed, families would honor the fallen soldiers each spring by decorating their graves with flowers, according to History.com.
In May of 1868, General John A. Logan proclaimed May 30, 1868 as Decoration Day to honor the lives lost.
Memorial Day would continue to be recognized on May 30 to honor our country's fallen heroes until 1968 when the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was established by Congress to mark Memorial Day on the last Monday of the month, giving federal workers a three-day holiday weekend. This year–Memorial Day happens to fall on May 26.
We encourage you to take a few minutes and read the entire article about the history of Memorial Day on History.com.
How to Honor Memorial Day 2025 in Tampa Bay
There are a few events where you and the family can honor our fallen heroes in Tampa Bay. Here are a few scheduled for this Memorial Day in Tampa Bay:
Memorial Day Weekend at TradeWinds Resort – May 23-26, 2025
TradeWinds Resort, 5500 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach
Kick off the season on St. Pete Beach with a long weekend packed with sun, fun, and star-spangled excitement! Join us for beachside games like our Frozen T-Shirt Contest and Cornhole Tournament on Friday, then dive into Saturday’s Watermelon Eating Contest and Red, White & Blue Tie-Dye fun. On Sunday, celebrate in style with our Salute to Summer party, a high-energy Glow Bash, and our featured Twilight on the Lawn dinner experience—ending the night with a bang as fireworks light up the sky! Florida Residents can save 20% off their stay with our exclusive resident rate, visit JustLetGo.com.
Sunday, May 25, events for guests from 5 pm – 10 pm on the RumFish Lawn and Beach:
- 5 – 9 PM: Beachfront party with cornhole, face painting, balloon animals and caricature artist.
- 5 – 9 PM: Glow-In-The-Dark Bash: Light up the night during this electric evening of fun! Join us for a round of glow volleyball, or challenge your friends to life-size Jenga or ladder toss game.
- 5 – 9 PM: Full beach bar offering drink specials!
- 6 – 9 PM: Live concert performance by Tempo Tantrum (70s, 80s, 90s hits)
- 6 – 9 PM: VIP Dinner available for purchase – buffet on the RumFish Lawn, two drink tickets, and fire performers. Reservation link coming soon.
- 9 PM: Fantastic Fireworks display on the beach.
Lost Pearl & Yacht StarShip Memorial Day Summer Sail-ebration!
Set sail this summer on Yacht StarShip or Tampa’s Lost Pearl for a swashbuckling adventure during the Summer Sail-ebration! From May 23 to September 1, 2025, enjoy BOGO 50% off all public cruises—including brunch, lunch, and dinner sailings for Yacht StarShip. Experience 1.5 hours of interactive fun, or savor award-winning cuisine and dancing under the stars.
Use promo code summersail to book your discounted tickets today. Offer valid for new bookings only; exclusions apply. Limited availability—reserve early!
Summer Nights at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay |Select Dates, starting Friday, May 23 – August 10
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Celebrate all summer long with the ultimate evening thrills that light up the park with extended hours, non-stop dazzling entertainment and special summer eats & treats!
Memorial Day Military Offer at The Florida Aquarium | Friday, May 23-Monday, May 26
701 Channelside Dr., Tampa
The Florida Aquarium honored our service members with free admission in honor of Memorial Day weekend. Active and retired military members will receive one free admission with the purchase of one general admission.
2025 Clearwater Honor Fest | Sunday, May 25, 6 p.m.
Florida Veterans Memorial Plaza, 450 South Lake Drive, Clearwater
Honor those who served with a National Anthem performance by Pranysqa Mishra, an American's Got Talent finalist, Solemn Ceremony, vendors and a candlelight vigil.
FREE
Memorial Day Ceremony at Largo Central Park | Monday, May 26, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Largo Central Park in Largo
Join the community for this free annual Memorial Day ceremony to honor our country's fallen heroes. There will be live music, readings, and presentations by local veterans.
Memorial Day Family Picnic with VFW Post 4321 in Tampa | Monday, May 26 at 11 a.m.
2010 W Morrison Avenue, Tampa
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4321 invites you for a somber celebration of Memorial Day to honor the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
The American Legion “U.S.S. Tampa” Post 5 Memorial Day Service | Monday, May 26, 2025 at 11 a.m.
3810 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa
The American Legion in Tampa is hosting its annual Memorial Day ceremony at the American Legion on Kennedy Blvd. This ceremony has a long history in Tampa, first honored in 1922. Families are invited to honor the sacrifices of the brave men and women. The Memorial Service will be held at 11 am and you may bring your American flag to wave along Kennedy Blvd. Wreath registration will also be available. Luminaries begin at 8 pm.
Things to Do Memorial Day Weekend with the Kids: Events in Tampa Bay
*Be sure to check out our Weekend Top Picks in Tampa Bay for even MORE family-friendly fun!
Head to Ananda Farm in Terra Ceia! | OPEN on Memorial Day!
Terra Ceia
Ananda Farm is a magical place where kids can run free and play in 15 different attractions including an amazing tree house and two huge jump pillows. You can also nosh on farm to table organically grown food and sip on a curated menu of cocktails and even pic your own flowers!
NEW! Let's See at Glazer Children's Museum | OPENS Saturday, May 24
Glazer Children's Museum-Tampa
This colorful, bilingual (English and Spanish) exhibit, created in partnership with the Glazer Vision Foundation, invites families to explore the science of vision through hands-on, mind-bending experiences. Discover how your eyes work with playful interactives that bring light, color and perspective to life. Mix colors on spinning wheels, walk into a giant kaleidoscope and cast dazzling colored shadows. Peer through a water sphere to see the world flipped upside down – just like your eyes do before your brain flips it back! Try on glasses, test for color blindness and watch your pupils dilate as you explore how we see the world.
NEW! Capybara Chillout at Clearwater Marina Aquarium| Saturday, May 24 from 10 am-5 pm
Clearwater
The capys are back! Starting Memorial Day Weekend, guests can once again enjoy the charming chaos of the Capybara Chillout, featuring a new family of four 9-week-old capybaras ready to win hearts and steal the show.
NEW! Giants, Dragons & Unicorns at MOSI | Now OPEN!
MOSI-Tampa
Were dragons just misunderstood dinosaurs? Could unicorns trace their horns to the Arctic seas? And did a real sea monster inspire the terrifying kraken? Starting May 17, you’ll get a chance to find out as Giants, Dragons & Unicorns: The World of Mythic Creatures takes over MOSI, Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry. Created by the American Museum of Natural History in New York, this unique exhibition brings centuries of folklore to life through the lens of science—revealing how real animals, fossils, and cultural traditions may have inspired legendary creatures like fire-breathing dragons, deep-sea monsters, magical unicorns, and more.
LEGO® Festival at LEGOLAND Florida Resort | LEGO Festival will be celebrated on Monday, Memorial Day, and Weekends through June 8
Winterhaven
Get ready for the LEGO® Festival, where imagination will run wild, creativity knows no limits, and fun is always the top priority! Dive into five never-before-seen play zones, packed with festival vibes, awesome entertainment, and activities including a Gaming Zone with LEGO Fortnite! Get lost in the moment with epic brick-building, brand-new shows, massive builds, exclusive LEGO Minifigures, music, dancing, and unique LEGO experiences you won’t find anywhere else. Included with general admission.
Adventure Weekend | Monday, May 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
GiveWell Community Foundation Nature Center
Wings up! Kids can enjoy hands-on activities centered around birds of prey, their role in our ecosystem and even meet the birds from Amazing Animals LLC during Adventure weekend at Bonnet Springs Park! Then take a peek through the birding scopes to see Florida's favorite sharp-toothed reptiles in action over at the Blanton Family Lagoon. This event is open to guests of all ages with adult supervision.
United Skates of America Memorial Day Skate | Monday, May 26
5121 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa
Get your skate on with United Skates of America's Memorial Day Skate featuring Hot 100 Pop Music tunes! Open skating sessions are available starting at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., with a newbie adult (ages 18+ only) skate beginning at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $10 per person and includes skate rental.
Last Weekend! 2025 Spring Sunflower Season Maze and Activities at Sweetfields Farm | Select dates through May 26
Masaryktown (Hernando County)
Get outside in the fresh country air and enjoy the beautiful gardens, cute animals, and fun activities out on the farm. Admission also includes Sunflower Maze, Hayrides, Picking Fields Access, Tree House Play Area, Tumbleweed Rollers, Play Jumbo Foosball, Pitcher Pump Duck Races, Peddle Tractors, visit with the Animals and more!
Last Weekend! Sunflower Festival at HarvestMoon Farm | Select dates through May 26
Masaryktown (Hernando County)
Visit HarvestMoon Fun Farm for a fun, healthy and wholesome day out on the farm with your entire family or with friends. During the Spring Season, pick a beautiful bouquet of Sunflowers through their maze-like paths, visit the petting farm, jump on the jumping pillow and more!
Memorial Day Military Offer at The Florida Aquarium | May 23-May 26
Tampa
The Florida Aquarium is honoring our service members with free admission May 23-May 26 in honor of Memorial Day weekend. Military members will receive complimentary admission with a general paid admission. This offer includes active duty, veterans, National Guardsmen and more. Bring a valid military ID to qualify.
Memorial Day at The James Museum in St. Pete | Monday, May 26
This Memorial Day the museum is honoring those who serve our country with free admission to the museum for Veterans, Active Military, Gold Star and Blue Star Families.
Memorial Day Things to Do on the Water in Tampa Bay
Living in Tampa Bay, we are surrounded by water, whether you're looking for a day at one of the area's world-famous family-friendly beaches, beautiful crystal clear natural springs, or even the best water parks in Tampa Bay, including a brand-new giant man-made lagoon! There is something for every family.
If you are heading to the beach, don't forget the sunscreen–and check to see if your family's sunscreen made the top picks list in EWG's 2022 Sunscreen Guide.
If kayaking is on your list of things to experience this summer in Tampa Bay, check out some of the best places to go kayaking Tampa Bay! Keep in mind that weekends tend to get busy, so you may have some extra company on the water…it just won't be as crazy as the beach, so there's that. Speaking of kayaking, we loved our ‘Paddle Pals' tour for kids with Get Up and Go Kayaking in Shell Key!
More ways to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend in Tampa Bay
We don't have to tell you–it gets HOT and the “unofficial start of summer” also means the OFFICIAL start of hot and muggy season in Tampa Bay! If you want to seek the crisp cool of the indoors, why not tour of the best museums in Tampa Bay with the kids! Glazer Children's Museum is always a favorite and so is MOSI.
Looking for some thrilling adventures with the kids? Why not give zip-lining a try? There are some awesome places to go zip lining in Tampa Bay including TreeHoppers in Dade City and TreeUmpf! in Bradenton.
Busch Gardens is also launching its Summer Celebration Memorial Day weekend with a new fireworks show and special entertainment. We highly recommend one of the animal tours like the Serengeti Safari!
Maybe you want to do some shopping and take advantage of all of the Memorial Day sales! Don't forget that June 1 also kicks off Florida's Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. This is a great weekend to stock up and save on your family's hurricane kit–hurricane season starts June 1! But, that's not the only sales tax break we Floridians can take advantage of this year. We've got them all of the Florida sales tax holidays listed here including the sales tax break on children's books and even diapers and baby clothes!
After all that shopping or time out on the water, you might get hungry! Check out some the best family-friendly restaurants in Tampa Bay! There are some great picks for kids including our favorite go-to, the St Pete Pier which not only has plenty of kid-friendly restaurants close by but so much to do for kids!
Getaway idea…
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You can check out tampabaydatenightguide.com for Memorial Day things to do as well!