Events at Arlington National Cemetery

Flowers of Remembrance Day

Sunday, May 24, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

The fifth Flowers of Remembrance Day will be held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Sunday, May 24. Flowers of Remembrance Day pays homage to the first official, national, annual Decoration Day, now known as Memorial Day. This ceremony first occurred at Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1868, to honor U.S. service members who died in the Civil War.

Members of the public are invited to place a flower at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Flowers will be provided by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Foundation. Visitors do not need to bring their own flowers. During this event, visitors will also have an opportunity to place a flower on headstones or columbarium niches throughout the cemetery. 

Related Events

•  History Talk, 10–10:30 a.m. "Arlington National Cemetery and the History of Memorial Day." Memorial Amphitheater outdoor bowl. 

•  History Tour,10:40 a.m.–12 p.m., featuring sites connected to Memorial Day’s history at Arlington. Meet at Memorial Amphitheater outdoor bowl


Memorial Day

Monday, May 25

The 158th National Memorial Day Observance, recognizing and commemorating the fallen men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, will take place on Monday, May 25, at 12 p.m. in the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery. The annual event is free and open to the public. Seating in the amphitheater is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

•   Click here for important information and updates. Follow our social media platforms @arlingtonnatl and sign up for email updates via GovDelivery.  


The Legacy of the American Revolution at Arlington: An America 250 Walking Tour

Friday, June 12, 9:30–11:30 a.m.

In honor of America’s 250th birthday, the Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) History Office and the National Park Service (NPS) will co-lead a walking tour on Friday, June 12, from 9:30 to approximately 11:30 a.m. The tour will explore how the American Revolution has been commemorated at the Arlington property since the early 19th century. It will begin with an introduction by a Park Ranger, who will explain how the American Revolution was memorialized at Arlington House before the Civil War. The tour will then visit the graves of veterans of the American Revolution who are buried in Sections 1 and 2 of ANC. 

This tour is free and open to the public. No registration is required. Recommended for people ages 10 and up.

•  The tour will be held rain or shine, and it will cover hilly, uneven terrain. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. Bring plenty of water and wear a hat!

•  Attendees should meet at Arlington House no later than 9:30 a.m.; the tour will depart at 9:30.

•  Please allow sufficient time to arrive at the ANC Welcome Center via Metro or car, go through security and arrive at the starting point at Arlington House. Participants can either walk to the starting point or purchase tram tickets, if desired. The tour will end in the vicinity of Arlington House.


Remembering the Revolution at Arlington National Cemetery: A Panel Discussion

Tuesday, July 7, 7 p.m.: Virtual Only

Thursday, July 14, 12 p.m.: Virtual and In-Person at the National Museum of the United States Army, Fort Belvoir, VA

In this special "America 250" webinar, experts from Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), the National Museum of the United States Army (NMUSA) and the National Park Service (NPS) will come together to explore the many legacies of the American Revolution at the property that is now Arlington National Cemetery. Topics will include the commemoration of George Washington at Arlington House, the Revolutionary War veterans reburied at Arlington National Cemetery and the fascinating artifacts that link Arlington to the nation’s founding conflict. NMUSA is hosting this webinar on two dates as part of its “Battle Brief” series.

•   Both versions of this webinar (virtual only, or virtual and in-person at NMUSA) are free and open to the public.

•   Registration is required. Click here to register.