Hudson Valley Memorial Day Parades and Events for 2025

The Hudson Valley will be hosting several parades and ceremonies to mark Memorial Day this weekend.

Veteran advocate "Commander Tom" Zurhellen shared a long list of Memorial Day events with us that have been planned throughout the Hudson Valley. Zurhellen says that while picnics and parties are great, it's important to take a moment to remember what Memorial Day is all about.

The holiday was originally named Decoration Day because the community would come together to decorate the graves of soldiers who died in the Civil War. Eventually, the day began to include other soldiers and was eventually renamed Memorial Day when it became a national holiday in 1971.

While most people associate Memorial Day with mattress sales and a day off of work, there are still many events that have been planned to observe the true meaning of this solemn holiday.

Ulster County Memorial Day Events for 2025

Thursday:  Candelight vigil at the county building in Kingston beginning at 8pm.

Saturday: The Plattekill Parade will step off at Town Hall at 11am

Sunday: The Marlboro Parade begins at 1pm at Marlboro High School

Monday: There will be parades in Esopus starting at the American Legion Post 1298 at 10am and in the Town of Lloyd at 9am, beginning at the American Legion Post 193

Dutchess County Memorial Day Events for 2025

Sunday: A ceremony organized by American Legion Post 37 will take place at Soldiers' Fountain in Poughkeepsie at 3pm.

Monday: The county's Memorial Day parade will take place in Hyde Parki. Step off will begin at the Hyde Park Drive-In at 10am.

Orange County Memorial Day Events for 2025

Monday: American Legion Post 1607 will be holding a service at 9am at the Town Veterans Memorial on Route 284 in Westtown. The Unionville Parade will take place on Main Street starting at 10:30am.

Monday: The Village of Montgomery will start its parade at 10:30am on Wallkill Avenue near the Grange Hall.

Other municipalities may also be holding ceremonies that have not been posted online. You can check with your local American Legion post for more details.