Memorial Day 2027 is Monday, May 31. Historic Oakwood Cemetery's remembrance service, city offices, trash pickup, the Yard Waste Center and GoRaleigh.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from the City of Raleigh, GoRaleigh, Wake County and the organizers, linked below. The 2027 notices are not out yet, so each date says which year it is from.

Memorial Day 2027 is Monday, May 31. It honors the men and women who died serving in the U.S. armed forces. In Raleigh, the main public observance is the remembrance service at Historic Oakwood Cemetery. For pools and summer plans, see our summer camps and pools page.

Who to call

  • Historic Oakwood Cemetery: info@historicoakwood.com
  • City of Raleigh Solid Waste Services: 919-996-3245
  • GoRaleigh and regional transit info: 919-485-7433
  • Emergency: 911

Memorial Day remembrance at Historic Oakwood Cemetery

Historic Oakwood Cemetery, 701 Oakwood Ave., holds a free Memorial Day commemoration ceremony each year. In 2026 it was 4 to 5 p.m. Monday, May 25, in the Field of Honor II. Follow the event signs and park along the cemetery road, not on the grass; chairs are provided. The service is held rain or shine and moves into the mausoleum in bad weather (2026 event page). In 2025 the service was also 4 to 5 p.m. on Memorial Day, in the Field of Honor (2025 event page).

We will add the 2027 time and any other Raleigh ceremonies as organizers post them. Nearby towns hold their own; see our neighbors page.

What is open and closed

On Memorial Day 2025, the city’s holiday alert said:

Service Memorial Day 2025
City of Raleigh offices Closed Monday
Trash and recycling Not affected
Yard Waste Center Closed Saturday through Monday
GoRaleigh Sunday schedule
Emergency police, fire and rescue Normal service; call 911

GoRaleigh runs Sunday-level service on Memorial Day every year; routes that run only on weekdays do not operate (GoRaleigh holiday hours). Wake County’s waste and recycling drop-off sites are closed on Memorial Day (Wake County).

What this means for you

  • Put your carts out as usual if the 2027 notice matches 2025; confirm in the Raleigh Reuse app.
  • Need the Yard Waste Center? Go before the holiday weekend; it closed all three days in 2025.
  • At Oakwood, arrive a little early to park along the cemetery road.

More on pickup days: our trash and recycling guide.

Frequently asked questions

When is Memorial Day 2027?

Memorial Day 2027 is Monday, May 31.

Is there a Memorial Day ceremony in Raleigh?

Historic Oakwood Cemetery, 701 Oakwood Ave., holds a free Memorial Day remembrance service. In 2026 it was 4 to 5 p.m. Monday, May 25, in the Field of Honor II, rain or shine.

Is trash picked up on Memorial Day in Raleigh?

In 2025 the city said trash and recycling were not affected by Memorial Day. The Yard Waste Center was closed Saturday through Monday of the holiday weekend.

Does GoRaleigh run on Memorial Day?

Yes, on its Sunday schedule. Routes that run only on weekdays do not operate.