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National Memorial Day Parade

Washington, D.C.

Monday, May 25, 2026
10:00 AM

National Memorial Day Parade
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For More Information

Web: MusicCelebrations .com

Email: Contact Us

Mail: Music Celebrations International
1440 S. Priest Dr. #102
Tempe, AZ 85281

Phone: 800-395-2036

If you're interested in entering your band in the National Memorial Day Parade, please request an application from Music Celebrations at the contact info above.
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View the 2012 National Memorial Day Parade Lineup

View the 2011 National Memorial Day Parade Lineup

Home > Featured Events > National Memorial Day Parade
National Memorial Day Parade 2026 logo The National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. pays tribute to the pride, sacrifice and service of America's Veterans. Memorial Day, which was originally known as Decoration Day, has a history stretching back to the Civil War and serves as an important reminder of those who died in the service of their country.

The National Memorial Day Parade returned to Washington D.C. in 2004 after a nearly 70-year absence, coinciding with the dedication of the World War II Memorial. This outpouring of appreciation to the veterans of World War II spilled over to veterans of the more recent conflicts as well. The National Memorial Day Parade is now an annual event organized by the American Veterans Center and Music Celebrations International.

The three-hour parade passes alongside the National Mall on Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th Streets. The event is a magnificent salute to America's Veterans and in honor of those who died in defense of our country — from the American Revolution to Operation Iraqi Freedom. The parade consists of outstanding marching bands from many of the 50 states and veterans units honoring World War I, War World II, The Korean and Vietnam Conflicts, Desert Storm, and the liberation of Grenada, Panama, Iraq and Afghanistan. Large patriotic floats and helium-filled balloons are also part of procession. More than 10,000 participants take part in the parade annually.

The National Memorial Day Parade is streamed live on YouTube and at www.military.com beginning at 10:00 AM Eastern. The parade is also televised live on local stations nationwide, around the world on the American Forces Network, and locally in Washington, DC on News Channel 8.

2026 Participating Bands

National Memorial Day Parade
• Adams County School District 14 All-State Marching Band, Colorado
• Andover High School Golden Warrior Marching Band, Massachusetts
• Andrews High School Marching Band, South Carolina
• Bedford High School Marching Band & Colorguard, New Hampshire
• Brentwood High School Green Machine Marching Band, New York
• Camden High School Scarlet Regiment, South Carolina
• Cane Bay High School Marching Band, South Carolina
• Central Oregon Navy JROTC, Oregon
• Clarksville High School Marching Panthers, Arkansas
• Concordia Lutheran High School Marching Cadets, Indiana
• Crestwood High School Marching Band, Pennsylvania
• Depew High School Marching Band, New York
• E.A. Johnson High School Marching Band, Michigan
• Everett High School Crimson Tide Music Department, Massachusetts
• Flandreau High School Marching Band, South Dakota
• Fountain Valley High School Royal Regiment, California
• Gilbert High School Marching Band, South Carolina
• World Famous Cowboy Band and Six White Horses of Hardin-Simmons University, Texas
• Hoboken High School Rockin Redwings Band, New Jersey
• Kelloggsville High School Rocket Marching Band, Michigan
• Kingsley High School Stag Battalion, Michigan
• Madison High School Marching Band, North Carolina
• Martinsburg High School Marching Band, West Virginia
• Marty's Goldenaires Drum and Bugle Corps, Michigan
• New Diana Eagle Band, Texas
• Odyssey Charter School Band, Delaware
• Pittsburgh Public Schools All-City Marching Band, Pennsylvania
• Pocono Mountain East High School Marching Band, Pennsylvania
• Port Richmond High School Marching Band, New York
• Randolph High School Marching Blue Devils, Massachusetts
• Sandalwood High School Marching Band, Florida
• South Doyle High School Army JROTC, Tennessee
• Tennessee High School Band, Bristol, Tennessee
• Trenton High School Golden Bulldog Marching Band, Missouri
• Urbana High School Marching Band, Ohio
• York Preparatory Academy Band of Revolution, South Carolina

Related Events

A visit to Washington, D.C. gives music groups the opportunity to explore and experience many of the sites that are an important part of American history. Sample itineraries could include:
• Sightseeing tours of the Capitol Hill area, the Supreme Court Building and the Library of Congress.
• A "War Memorial" walking tour of the Lincoln, Korean, World War II, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Vietnam Memorials.
• Visits to historic Mount Vernon, Old Towne Alexandria, Ford's Theater and the Peterson House (where Lincoln died).
• Attending the National Memorial Day Concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, featuring the National Symphony Orchestra broadcast live on PBS.

Future Dates

Monday, May 25, 2026
Monday, May 31, 2027
Monday, May 29, 2028
(Always held on the last Monday of May)

For More Information

Web: MusicCelebrations.com

Email: Contact Us

Mail: Music Celebrations International
1440 S. Priest Dr. #102
Tempe, AZ 85281

Phone: 800-395-2036

If you're interested in entering your band in the National Memorial Day Parade, please request an application from Music Celebrations at the contact info above.

National Memorial Day Parade Highlights Video