Miami Beach is pulling out all the stops for Memorial Day Weekend 2026 — a five-day stretch of free military tributes, live music, patriotic exhibitions, and aerial spectacle that also serves as the official launch of the city's yearlong America 250 celebration.
Thunderbirds Take Center Stage
The anchor event is the Hyundai Air & Sea Show, billed as America's largest military airshow.
The dazzling U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds make their first-ever Miami Beach appearance at this year's show on Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24.
The show runs from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days and features dynamic aircraft performances, cutting-edge military equipment displays and interactive demonstrations by all six branches of U.S. military personnel in the Patriot Display Village.
The event is free to the public.
Recommended viewing areas are located between 1–10 streets and 13–20 streets on the beach.
The Full Weekend Lineup
Thursday, May 21 — Miami Beach FREEDOM Exhibit Opens
The city will present a special America's 250th exhibit on Thursday, May 21 at 4 p.m. at Galería Ocean Drive, located in Lummus Park between 11 and 12 streets, to celebrate patriotism, culture and the city's coastal lifestyle.
Curated by the Office of the Mayor and Commission, the new exhibit will be unveiled in partnership with the Hyundai Air & Sea Show and, supported by the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, will remain open to the public through July 15, 2026.
Friday, May 22 — Salute on Española Way Block Party
A free public block party runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Española Way, the pedestrian-only stretch in mid-Beach. The Flyers, billed as South Florida's Premiere Power Trio, will perform live, and attendees can sample food and drinks from local restaurants.
Saturday, May 23 — Murph Challenge, Airshow, Kids Zone, and SaluteFest
The Murph Challenge, organized with U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion — Miami and Yellow Falcon CrossFit, takes place Saturday, May 23 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. in Lummus Park between 11 and 12 streets.
The challenge consists of two 1-mile runs, 100 pullups, 200 pushups, and 300 air squats. Advance registration is required and participation is free.
The airshow follows from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Also running Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. is the City of Miami Beach Kids Fun Zone on Ocean Drive and Lummus Park between 12 and 13 streets, where children can participate in themed arts and crafts, lawn games, an Imagination Playground, and write letters to service members.
That evening, the U.S. Air Force SaluteFest takes over Ocean Drive starting at 6 p.m.
Highlights include a sunset 3D projection mapping experience illuminating across five iconic buildings at 14 Street, a nighttime pyro parachute jump by the U.S. Army Golden Knights and the British Red Devils, and performances by the U.S. Air Force Band and U.S. Military drill teams. The night concludes with a 1,000-drone show by Hex and fireworks sponsored by the City of Miami Beach and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The evening is headlined by Parmalee.
Sunday, May 24 — Airshow Continues
The Hyundai Air & Sea Show continues from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday, May 25 — Memorial Day Commemoration
The City of Miami Beach, in partnership with the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars 3559 Miami Beach Post, will pay tribute to the memory of the men and women who fought and died for freedom with a wreath-laying ceremony and 21-gun salute on Monday, May 25 at 10 a.m. at the War Memorial Cenotaph outside Miami Beach Police Headquarters, 1100 Washington Ave.
The Patriot Display Village
The Patriot Display Village honors all six branches of the armed forces with interactive exhibits featuring military equipment, including tanks, helicopters, rifle ranges, tactical gear and simulators. The free, interactive village also features the Nicklaus Children's Hospital Kids Zone, Mission BBQ food court and the American Peptides Action Zone.
The village spans five city blocks and includes the GOVX Memorial Flag Garden, extreme sports demonstrations, live music, and corporate activations.
Getting There: Parking, Shuttles, and Traffic
Residents and visitors should plan ahead.
Protected residential zones for the Flamingo Park and South of Fifth neighborhoods will be in place each evening from 6 p.m. through 5 a.m. on Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24, with barricades restricting cut-through traffic. Flamingo Park and South of Fifth residents are encouraged to use Alton Road to enter and exit their neighborhood.
For parking, a high-impact flat rate applies all weekend.
Effective Friday, May 22 at 9 p.m. through Monday, May 25 at 9 a.m., a flat parking rate of $30 for nonresidents and $15 for residents will be imposed at all city parking garages in the Entertainment District— including the garages at 7 Street and Collins Avenue, 12 Street and Washington Avenue, 13 Street and Collins Avenue, and the Anchor Garage on 16 Street.
Free shuttle service will operate to and from two designated parking garage locations. Parking shuttles will run on Saturday, May 23 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, May 24 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at intervals of approximately 15 to 20 minutes. All shuttle passengers are dropped off at trolley stop #106 on the west side of Washington Avenue between 11 and 12 streets.
The Miami Beach Trolley will also run on an enhanced schedule, with two additional vehicles added to the South Beach Loop and two more to the Collins Express Trolley, targeting an average service frequency of 13 to 15 minutes on both routes from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The trolley can be tracked in real time on the Miami Beach Gov app, website, or Transit App.
Boater Advisory
Flagler Monument Island will be closed to boaters over Memorial Day weekend due to a history of some boaters leaving significant litter behind.
The island closes Friday, May 22 at 6 a.m. and reopens at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26.
Safety and Staffing
Miami Beach Police, Fire, Ocean Rescue, Code Compliance, Parking, Public Works, Sanitation, and Parks and Recreation will all have significantly enhanced staffing throughout the weekend. Several state and federal law enforcement partners — including the Florida Highway Patrol, Miami-Dade County Police, and Miami-Dade Schools Police — will assist MBPD. Goodwill Ambassadors in branded pink T-shirts will be stationed throughout the Art Deco District to answer visitor questions.
High-impact measures, including local access restrictions, suspension of certain vehicle rentals — including golf carts, mopeds, and motorized scooters — and entertainment permit suspensions at MXE and CD-2 district establishments, will be in effect from 8 p.m. Friday, May 22 through 8 p.m. Monday, May 25.
For the full event schedule and updated information, visit miamibeachfl.gov/america250.
