Memorial Day in Washington DC: Events, Traditions, and How to Get Around

Maren Graham on May 15, 2025

In Washington DC, Memorial Day isn’t just a long weekend — it’s really one of the city’s most meaningful holidays. Marking the unofficial start to summer, the nation’s capital comes alive with tributes, parades, concerts, and commemorative events honoring those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. With so much happening and the city’s roads packed with visitors, it’s the perfect time to plan ahead with a professional transportation service. AET Worldwide offers a reliable and comfortable way to navigate Memorial Day weekend with sedans, SUVs, executive vans, stretch limousines, mini buses, and coach buses ready to accommodate any sized group.

Here’s a look at some of the can’t-miss Memorial Day events in DC — and why booking professional transportation makes the weekend easier.

Top Memorial Day Weekend Events in Washington DC

National Memorial Day Concert

Held annually on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, the free Memorial Day concert features the National Symphony Orchestra, celebrity performers, and moving tributes to fallen service members. Crowds gather early for a good spot, and traffic in the surrounding area can be tough. Arriving by sedan, SUV, or executive van with a professional driver makes getting in and out far simpler than dealing with rideshares or public transit.

National Memorial Day Parade

The largest Memorial Day parade in the country travels along Constitution Avenue and draws marching bands, military units, and veterans’ organizations from across the nation. If you’re attending with a group, a mini bus or coach bus is a smart choice for hassle-free drop-offs and pickups near the National Mall.

Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally

An iconic DC tradition, thousands of motorcyclists take to the streets to honor prisoners of war and those missing in action. Even though the rally is no longer an official event, expect riders and supporters to fill major routes. It’s one more reason to leave parking worries behind by booking a limo or executive van for the day.

“Flags In” at Arlington National Cemetery

A solemn and powerful sight, members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment place over 260,000 American flags at the graves of fallen soldiers in Arlington National Cemetery. Observing this tradition is a meaningful way to start the weekend, and a professional car service ensures a respectful, timely arrival without the stress of traffic or parking.

Visit National Mall Memorials

From the Lincoln Memorial to the World War II Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, DC’s monuments take on special significance on Memorial Day weekend. With streets surrounding the National Mall often closed or congested, a sedan, SUV, or mini bus with a dedicated chauffeur makes visiting these landmarks more comfortable and efficient.

Georgetown Waterfront

After a day of remembrance, unwind along the Georgetown waterfront, where you’ll find open-air dining, riverfront views, and boat cruises on the Potomac. A sedan or executive SUV can add a touch of comfort to your evening out.

Why Use Professional Transportation in DC?

Memorial Day weekend in Washington DC means increased traffic, packed streets, and limited parking near major landmarks. AET Worldwide’s fleet of luxury vehicles provides a smart, reliable way to get your group where they need to go — safely, comfortably, and on time. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a corporate group visit, or a private tour, our experienced chauffeurs and diverse vehicle options keep your plans running smoothly all weekend long.

4 Can’t-Miss Thanksgiving Events in Washington, D.C.

Maren Graham on October 25, 2016

Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching, which means time is running out to plan your holiday celebration.

Lucky for you, there are many wonderful Thanksgiving events in Washington, D.C., making it simple to celebrate the holiday with friends and family members.

Some of the can’t-miss Thanksgiving events in D.C. include:

Cranksgiving

1990 K St. NW, Washington, D.C.

Cranksgiving represents a one-of-a-kind charity food drive and autism awareness event. This “food drive on two wheels” is now in its fourth year in D.C. and allows you to promote cycling, raise autism awareness and more.

Perhaps best of all, Cranksgiving enables you to support Miriam’s Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that is committed to ending homelessness and hunger. Cranksgiving encourages bikers to participate in a fun, exciting scavenger hunt during which they pick up food items as they bike across the D.C. area. Plus, all of the food items that participants collect will be donated to Miriam’s Kitchen.

Tune up your bike and participate in Cranksgiving – you’ll be glad you did! This year’s Cranksgiving will take place Nov. 12 and allows you to get plenty of exercise and support a great cause at the same time.

Thanksgiving Day Trot for Hunger

Freedom Plaza, Washington, D.C.

Burn off calories before Thanksgiving dinner at the 15th Annual Thanksgiving Day Trot for Hunger. This Turkey Day race will take place Nov. 24 and allows participants to join hundreds of racers to support SOME (So Others Might Eat), a community-based organization that assists the poor and homeless in D.C.

The Thanksgiving Day Trot for Hunger has been an ongoing success and provided more than 384,000 meals to hungry men, women and children in D.C. last year.

Furthermore, the 5K race enables you to run for a worthy cause with friends and family members, providing the perfect opportunity to kick off your Thanksgiving Day festivities.

Reston Holiday Parade

Reston Town Center, Reston, Va.

Want to avoid the hustle and bustle of shopping on Black Friday? Instead, check out the Reston Holiday Parade, a D.C.-area holiday celebration that features Macy’s-style balloons, dancers, musicians and more.

The Reston Holiday Parade offers a fun-filled event for guests of all ages, and for good reason. In addition to the parade itself, event-goers can get their pictures taken with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, enjoy mini-train rides and even watch a holiday tree lighting unlike any other in the D.C. area.

For a post-Thanksgiving Day celebration that you won’t soon forget, attend the Reston Holiday Parade. The event kicks off Nov. 25 at 11 a.m. at Reston Town Center.

ZooLights at the National Zoo

3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.

When it comes to holiday celebrations, ZooLights at the National Zoo is a must-see for D.C. residents and visitors alike.

This annual holiday celebration kicks off Nov. 25 and will feature more than 500,000 environmentally friendly LED lights that transform the zoo into a winter wonderland.

ZooLights also features a wide range of attractions and rides. As a result, both kids and parents may find a lot to like about this awe-inspiring post-Thanksgiving celebration.

Simplify Your Thanksgiving Travel Plans with American Executive Transportation

Let’s face it – Thanksgiving travel in D.C. can be a hassle, regardless of whether you drive on your own or book a taxi service.

For those who drive on their own, Thanksgiving traffic can be difficult to navigate. And as motorists rush from place to place around Thanksgiving, you may be stuck in traffic for hours – the last thing anyone wants to deal with during the holiday season.

If you opt for a taxi service for Thanksgiving travel, there are no guarantees that you’ll be able to reach your final destination on schedule. Taxi services likely will be in high demand during the holiday season, which means you may wind up paying more for your taxi trip as well.

Imagine what it would be like if you could reap the benefits of safe, dependable chauffeured ground transportation on Thanksgiving Day or any other day…

You can, thanks to American Executive Transportation.

At American, we want to help you take the guesswork out of holiday travel. We offer an extensive vehicle fleet that guarantees you can get where you need to go quickly and effortlessly.

Our vehicle fleet includes:

  • Executive Sedan – Boasts a black exterior, tinted windows and plush seating, ensuring you can travel in comfort and style at any time.
  • Luxury SUV – Provides ample seating for up to six passengers, along with plenty of luggage space.
  • Limousine – Offers leather interior, a full-length bar and other luxury features to guarantee you can enjoy a superb travel experience.
  • Sprinter Limousine – Includes wraparound leather seating for up to 12 passengers.

Let’s not forget about our friendly, professionally trained chauffeurs, either.

American employs only the best chauffeurs to serve our customers, and each chauffeur will go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure you can reach your Thanksgiving celebration on time.

On the date of your trip, your chauffeur will arrive to pick you up on schedule. Your chauffeur will assist you with your luggage and provide first-rate ground transportation to your Thanksgiving celebration. After your Thanksgiving event reaches its conclusion, your chauffeur will be ready to drive you home at your convenience too.

Streamline your Thanksgiving travel plans by booking reservations with American. Our team will simplify the process of traveling from Point A to Point B on Thanksgiving and do everything possible to ensure you can enjoy your travel experience. We’ll make it easy for you to focus on what’s important: celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family members.