Memorial Day Weekend 2026 starts Saturday, May 23—Friday, May 22, if you want to be fancy. But the day itself is Monday, May 25. It is, of course, a day to remember and mourn those who have died in service to the country. I, myself, often remember my great uncle Monroe, who was killed in the Vietnam War (also known as “Kháng chiến chống Mỹ,” or “The Resistance War against America” from Vietnam’s standpoint).
It’s also considered to be the “unofficial start to summer.” That could mean a day off from work, spending time with family and friends, chilling out, and barbecuing. Here is our list of things to do (including eating and drinking) for Memorial Day Weekend.
Memorial Day Weekend 2026: Festivals
Both the Rose Festival’s CityFair and the Multnomah County Fair in Portland start Memorial Day Weekend.
CityFair Opening Night Fireworks
On Friday, May 22, the Rose Festival’s CityFair starts with opening fireworks. There will be live music, local vendors, carnival rides, food and drink, “and the excitement that only the Rose Festival can bring.” It takes place at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Opening Night ribbon cutting is at 5pm, fireworks start around 10pm, with music going straight through the fireworks. This is a ticketed event.
You can also watch the Opening Night Fireworks broadcast live on KUNP (sister station to KATU, a Sinclair station).
98 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland. Rose Festival website
Multnomah County Fair
The next day, on Saturday, May 23, the Multnomah County Fair opens at the Oaks Amusement Park in SE Portland. Here’s the fair schedule (hours are noon to 7pm each day, Saturday to Monday) and a list of vendors, which include food and drink from Chimnik European Bakery, Lupita’s Taqueria, Juicy JV’s Wings, Asona Cuisine, Dairy Hill Ice Cream, and Sister’s Fry Bread.
Admission is free but Oaks Park charges $4 to park.
7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland. Multnomah County Fair website
Memorial Day Weekend 2026: Grocery Shopping and Ingredients
There are plenty of supermarkets and grocery stores offering everything you need for your Memorial Day party. Safeway has a page dedicated to “grilling favorites,” including meats and vegetables, and some fruit. Gartner’s Meats also has a guide to prep for your Memorial Day BBQ.
Farmers markets are open on Saturday (e.g., Hollywood, PSU, Rocky Butte) and Sunday (e.g., Montavilla), where you can get some high-quality, locally grown ingredients for grilling and whatever you decide to serve on Memorial Day.
Memorial Day Weekend 2026: Single Events
Fremont Garage
This is the new food cart pod on NE Fremont and 44th Avenue that we’ve reported on over the past couple of years. They open their doors for the first time on Friday, May 22. Head there, check out their new digs, enjoy some good food and drink, and chill out.
4403 NE Fremont Street, Portland. Fremont Garage website
Hip Chicks Do Wine
They’re doing a Memorial Day weekend wine & BBQ event, Friday to Sunday. They’ll feature six wines with a seasonal sangria (you can fill up your growler with it), small plates with a BBQ twist, wine discounts all weekend. “Join us for a weekend of great wine, tasty bites, and good company. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or just looking to unwind with friends, this event is not to be missed!”
RSVPs are not necessary, but if you want to reserve a table, you can do that here. They’ll be around on Friday 2pm to 8pm, Saturday noon to 7pm, and Sunday noon to 5pm.
4510 SE 23rd Avenue, Portland. Hip Chicks Do Wine website
Omni Love Co-Op
This organization that creates “recovery-friendly gatherings” is doing a Memorial Day gathering at Director Park. As they say, “Connection is the cure. This is love activated.” Head there on Monday, May 25 from noon to 3pm for food, a DJ and music, local vendors, mutual aid, and community.
815 SW Park Avenue, Portland. Omni Love Co-Op website
Memorial Day Weekend 2026: Wine Country
There are a variety of events in the Willamette Valley’s wine country for Memorial Day weekend.
Cana’s Feast Winery
On Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24, Cana’s Feast will be releasing their second vintage of bubbles—the 2025 S’Amuser. At this event, you’ll receive a taste of this wine upon arrival, followed by a flight of five red wines.
Oregon Wood Fired Pizza will be there until 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Plus, there will be live music: Mayra Sandoval on Saturday and Eric John Kaiser on Sunday.
The day is $25 per person, waived with a $45 wine purchase, and complimentary for Club members. They prefer you bring with you no outside food that day. Reservations can be made for a maximum of four people indoors and eight people outdoors. You can do that on their Tock page.
749 N Yamhill Street, Carlton. Cana’s Feast Winery website
Knudsen Vineyards
On Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24, you can enjoy BBQ and wine on the Knudsen Vineyards outdoor terrace. Flights, glasses, and bottle service will be available for this event. BBQ is provided by Taste of Excellence for $18 per plate (paid directly to them), and it includes Pinot Noir BBQ pulled pork sandwiches with a creamy slaw and picked shallots, along with their homestyle baked beans. There’s also a vegetarian option of a portobello mushroom sandwich available.
There’s limited seating, so reservations are recommended to guarantee your seat. Reservations are available for groups of one to six. For groups of seven or more, just call ahead to arrange your visit. Reserve via Tock.
9419 NE Worden Hill Road, Dundee. Knudsen Vineyards website
Stoller Family Estate
On Saturday, May 23 from 11am to 4pm, head to the Taste of Stoller Pizza-Fest, focusing on wood-fire pizza making. There will be live dough-tossing and pizza-making demonstrations, and creative pies made by each chef paired with Stoller wines. The chefs are from the following places: Stoller Family Estate; Sean Martin & Mary Cressler, Vindulge (Portland); Nostrana; Hapa Pizza; and Scottie’s Pizza Parlor.
Tickets are $68 for the general public and $52 for club members. Families are welcome. Those aged 9 to 20 are $30. Children 8 and under enjoy complimentary entry. Your ticket includes event access along with pizza and wine tastings. You can make your reservation on their Tock page.
16161 NE McDougall Rd, Dayton. Stoller Family Estate website
Meg Cotner
