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Lovely area at the cemetery with trees and stone-lined pond
Texas State Cemetery
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Memorial Day 2019 in Austin: What to do and where to go

10 picks for the holiday weekend

By Cindy Widner Updated
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Texas State Cemetery
| Getty Images
By Cindy Widner Updated

Editor's Note: The original version of this story map ran May 27, 2016. We've updated it with this year's Memorial Day events.

In addition to being time for reflection and remembrance, Memorial Day is usually considered the first summer holiday of the year. While we feel ambivalent about the onset of summer in these parts, we're definitely happy for the time, if not the temperature. We've rounded up a few places for enjoying and observing the holiday here.

Note: If you are out and about Monday, be sure to watch out for the athletes and spectators in the TriCapTex triathlon.

Finally, here are a couple of additional options, to be found on different maps.

Explore the city

Whether you're visiting for the first time or you just want to get outside, it should be a good weekend to see the River City. Our Austin City Map has 26 places to see, including historic neighborhoods, copious parks, and museums. We also have a guide for kid-centric fun.

Get out of town

We all need an escape from the city sometimes. Our small town guide has some lovely places near Austin (most of them) to visit.

Take a dip

Here's a map of swimming holes that are bound to refresh and enchant.

Read More

Dell Diamond

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A Round Rock Express game followed by fireworks kicks off the long weekend this year. Friday, May 24, 7:05 p.m. Tickets start at $7.

3400 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 255-2255
(512) 255-2255

Also featured in:

Enchanted Rock

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Although Enchanted Rock and the surrounding area are likely to be extra crowded on Memorial Day weekend, it might be worth planning ahead and leaving early (the park opens at 7:30 a.m.) for the chance to join a park ranger for a hike to the top. Saturday, May 25, and Sunday, May 26, 9:30 a.m.

Enchanted Rock, Texas 78643

Texas Military Forces Museum

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The Texas Military Forces Museum will present Close Assault: 1968, and exhibit and event focused on the Vietnam War, on Saturday and Sunday. The two-day program will feature members of the Texas Military Forces Living History Detachment exhibiting the uniform and equipment worn by the American soldiers during the conflict as well as the opportunity to witness firing demonstrations and watch an attack on a small bunker with an M113. The program, parking, and museum entry are all free. Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26. Shows at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m, museum open 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

2200 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703

Barrel O' Fun

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Located at the kid-friendly daytime venue just inside the Alamo Drafthouse’s Mueller location, Saturday’s Barrel o’ Fun Bring the Sing Family Karaoke is what it sounds like: a free, all-ages karaoke party (that includes props and on-stage challenges for the willing, since it’s the Alamo). Children ages 13 and under must be accompanied by a parent. Saturday, May 25, 12-2 p.m.

1911 Aldrich St Suite 120B, Austin, TX 78723
(512) 572-1425
(512) 572-1425

The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum

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To fulfill Johnson’s wish that the library be available to all, it offers free admission on Memorial Day. In addition to its permanent exhibitions, the museum and library present the 60-year retrospective Motown: The Sound of Young America. Monday, May 27, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

2313 Red River St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 721-0200
(512) 721-0200

A post shared by Jan (@jangold123) on

Paramount Theatre

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The historic Congress Avenue theater’s long-running Summer Classic Film Series kicks off the weekend with an armful of beloved movies, starting with Casablanca on Thursday, May 23, and Saturday sees the first screening of this year’s family matinee summer series with The Wizard of Oz.

Paramount Theatre, Austin, TX 78701

A post shared by CR (@chandlerrenfeldt) on

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Woodland Faerie Trail at Zilker Botanical Gardens

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The popular Woodland Faerie Trail—an annual, pro-am event created by Austinites big and small—opens Friday, May 24, and runs through the summer, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission price is included with Zilker Botanical Garden: $3 for non-Austin residents, $2 for residents, $1 for children and seniors.

2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746
(512) 477-8672
(512) 477-8672

Memorial Day Service at the Texas State Cemetery

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This annual Memorial Day Service will take place in the southwest section of the cemetery, known as “Republic Hill.” Monday, May 27, 10 a.m

909 Navasota St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 463-0605
(512) 463-0605

“Fairground” Memorial Day Party

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“Fairground” is the punny name for downtown food hall Fareground’s annual Memorial Day party, which this year takes place Sunday. The family-friendly event features live music, lawn games, face painting, and pop-up shopping at Austin Flea, as well as picnic baskets ($45, vegetarian option available) and bottles of rosé ($20) for sale and general lawn lounging. Sunday, May 26, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

111 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701

Also featured in:

School’s Out Forever: Girls Rock Austin

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The righteous and mighty Girls Rock Austin’s camper and volunteer drive for its summer programs will be an all-ages live show featuring a Le Tigre cover band as well as Stretch Panic, Jackie Venson, Van Mary, and Blair Robbins of Ama. Sunday, May 26, 4 p.m.-6 p.m.

1502 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

Also featured in:

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Dell Diamond

3400 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665

A Round Rock Express game followed by fireworks kicks off the long weekend this year. Friday, May 24, 7:05 p.m. Tickets start at $7.

3400 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 255-2255
(512) 255-2255

Enchanted Rock

Enchanted Rock, Texas 78643

Although Enchanted Rock and the surrounding area are likely to be extra crowded on Memorial Day weekend, it might be worth planning ahead and leaving early (the park opens at 7:30 a.m.) for the chance to join a park ranger for a hike to the top. Saturday, May 25, and Sunday, May 26, 9:30 a.m.

Enchanted Rock, Texas 78643

Texas Military Forces Museum

2200 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703

The Texas Military Forces Museum will present Close Assault: 1968, and exhibit and event focused on the Vietnam War, on Saturday and Sunday. The two-day program will feature members of the Texas Military Forces Living History Detachment exhibiting the uniform and equipment worn by the American soldiers during the conflict as well as the opportunity to witness firing demonstrations and watch an attack on a small bunker with an M113. The program, parking, and museum entry are all free. Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26. Shows at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m, museum open 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

2200 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703

Barrel O' Fun

1911 Aldrich St Suite 120B, Austin, TX 78723

Located at the kid-friendly daytime venue just inside the Alamo Drafthouse’s Mueller location, Saturday’s Barrel o’ Fun Bring the Sing Family Karaoke is what it sounds like: a free, all-ages karaoke party (that includes props and on-stage challenges for the willing, since it’s the Alamo). Children ages 13 and under must be accompanied by a parent. Saturday, May 25, 12-2 p.m.

1911 Aldrich St Suite 120B, Austin, TX 78723
(512) 572-1425
(512) 572-1425

The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum

2313 Red River St, Austin, TX 78705

To fulfill Johnson’s wish that the library be available to all, it offers free admission on Memorial Day. In addition to its permanent exhibitions, the museum and library present the 60-year retrospective Motown: The Sound of Young America. Monday, May 27, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

2313 Red River St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 721-0200
(512) 721-0200

A post shared by Jan (@jangold123) on

Paramount Theatre

Paramount Theatre, Austin, TX 78701

The historic Congress Avenue theater’s long-running Summer Classic Film Series kicks off the weekend with an armful of beloved movies, starting with Casablanca on Thursday, May 23, and Saturday sees the first screening of this year’s family matinee summer series with The Wizard of Oz.

Paramount Theatre, Austin, TX 78701

A post shared by CR (@chandlerrenfeldt) on

Woodland Faerie Trail at Zilker Botanical Gardens

2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746

The popular Woodland Faerie Trail—an annual, pro-am event created by Austinites big and small—opens Friday, May 24, and runs through the summer, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission price is included with Zilker Botanical Garden: $3 for non-Austin residents, $2 for residents, $1 for children and seniors.

2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746
(512) 477-8672
(512) 477-8672

Memorial Day Service at the Texas State Cemetery

909 Navasota St, Austin, TX 78702

This annual Memorial Day Service will take place in the southwest section of the cemetery, known as “Republic Hill.” Monday, May 27, 10 a.m

909 Navasota St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 463-0605
(512) 463-0605

“Fairground” Memorial Day Party

111 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701

“Fairground” is the punny name for downtown food hall Fareground’s annual Memorial Day party, which this year takes place Sunday. The family-friendly event features live music, lawn games, face painting, and pop-up shopping at Austin Flea, as well as picnic baskets ($45, vegetarian option available) and bottles of rosé ($20) for sale and general lawn lounging. Sunday, May 26, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

111 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701

School’s Out Forever: Girls Rock Austin

1502 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

The righteous and mighty Girls Rock Austin’s camper and volunteer drive for its summer programs will be an all-ages live show featuring a Le Tigre cover band as well as Stretch Panic, Jackie Venson, Van Mary, and Blair Robbins of Ama. Sunday, May 26, 4 p.m.-6 p.m.

1502 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702