Memorial Day is consistently celebrated on the last Monday of May and was established to pay tribute to the service members who made the ultimate sacrifice while defending the nation. This day also generally marks the informal beginning of the summer season.
This year, Memorial Day is observed on May 26, 2025, and Phoenix, Avondale, Prescott, and Gilbert are among the various cities.
holding ceremonies and observances
.
Numerous individuals will utilize the additional day off to
leave the Valley,
but there’s still quite a bit of
fun to be had
over the long weekend in metro Phoenix, and it’s a prime weekend for
shopping sales
.
Begin your day with more knowledge. Receive all the essential news directly in your mailbox every morning.
Here is what to expect when
traveling
across Arizona over the Memorial Day weekend, including
traffic issues
, event coverage along with weather updates.
Stay updated with reporting from Republic journalists over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Below are some last-ditch suggestions for Memorial Day weekend getaways by car in Arizona.
Why face the turmoil of airports or lengthy drives out of your state when some of Arizona’s most delightful retreats are only a short journey away?
Avoid the stress and choose an in-state staycation instead.
this Memorial Day weekend.
From the
historic allure of Prescott
and
Jerome
towards the starlit heavens above Flagstaff,
Sedona’s enchanting red rock charm
And the distinctive allure of Bisbee means that each place provides something special.
These towns brim with local charm, ideal for a brief respite, offering crisp air, enjoyable activities, and a glimpse into Arizona’s vibrant character.
Travelers within the state also benefit from highways free of any construction or maintenance work, as ADOT suggested allowing additional travel time throughout the weekend, particularly on Fridays and Mondays.
— Tiffany Acosta
Activities to enjoy in Metro Phoenix over Memorial Day weekend
If you lack a
Weekend journey during Memorial Day
If you have planned and are searching for entertaining ways to spend the extended holiday weekend in the greater Phoenix area, there is an abundance of choices available.
From complimentary open-air cinema and picturesque treks to a half marathon event and a clash between the opponents
Arizona Diamondbacks
and the
Pittsburgh Pirates
at Chase Field,
Here are some of the leading items
Things to do in Metro Phoenix over Memorial Day weekend 2025.
Tubing at Salt River in Mesa
Spend a peaceful day tubing down the Salt River. Simply rent a tube, take the shuttle, and unwind as you float through refreshing water amidst breathtaking desert and canyon landscapes. You may also have the chance to see some of the wild horses that wander around the region.
Schedule: Weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekends from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (the latest time for renting tubes is 2 p.m.; the final shuttle pick-up is at 6:30 p.m.). Address: 9200 N. Bush Highway in Mesa. Price Range: $20-$30, including additional charges for online bookings.
Gather your children, grab a blanket, and prepare some snacks for an enjoyable evening watching free kid-friendly movies outdoors at Kiwanis Park in Tempe. The screenings start around dusk—usually from about 7 to 7:30 p.m.—and take place on the northernmost soccer field close to where Baseline Road meets Ash Avenue.
On Friday, May 23, watch the animated movie Surf’s Up.
Check out the complete Movies in the Park timetable
.
See the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Pittsburgh Pirates.
What could be more American than enjoying a hot dog and catching a baseball game? Celebrate Memorial Day by watching the Arizona Diamondbacks go up against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Details: 5:10 PM on Monday, May 26. Chase Field at 401 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix. Ticket prices range from $39 to $174.
— Meredith G. White
Experience Phoenix’s art scene and cultural offerings over Memorial Day weekend.
Ballet Arizona is scheduled to perform.
Eroica at the Desert Botanical Garden
On Friday, May 23, and Saturday, May 24, 2025, each show will start at 8:00 PM.
The ballet, which draws inspiration from Beethoven’s Third Symphony, explores themes of profound emotion, the tenacity of the human soul, and the cycles of empires rising and falling. When visiting the Desert Botanical Garden, make sure to visit Gertrude’s Restaurant and Patio Café for refreshments before it closes on May 31st. Each table reservation costs $90.
The Phoenix Theatre Company is presenting ”
Into the Woods
a musical that delves into life beyond the traditional happy ever afters. The production weaves together multiple well-known fairy tales such as Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel.
The performance schedule includes shows on Friday, May 23 at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 24 at both 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., as well as Sunday, May 25 at 1:30 p.m. Prices for tickets differ based on selection.
The
Heard Museum
Phoenix is organizing a Memorial Day event on Monday, May 26, offering complimentary entry to veterans, active-duty service members, and their families.
The event features a trip to the American Indian Veterans National Memorial, along with exploring museum exhibits and participating in various activities such as live musical performances, movie screenings, and artist demonstrations.
— Catherine Reagor
Weekend excursion: Explore a military museum in metro Phoenix
Papago Park housed a POW camp, and the Commemorative Air Force in Mesa offers rides on historic airplanes, as stated by Visit Phoenix.
guide to military museums
.
The 9/11 Memorial in Gilbert features an 8-foot steel girded beam that was previously part of the structure supporting the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
The majestic Phoenix mountain peak named after Spc. Lori Piestewa always offers a beautiful view. She fought in the Iraq War and was the first Native American female soldier killed in action on foreign soil.
The Anthem Veterans Memorial consists of a structure made up of five pillars, each representing a different branch of the U.S. military. Every year on Veterans Day at precisely 11:11 AM, sunlight intersects perfectly with the memorial’s columns, casting shadows that create an image resembling the Great Seal of the United States.
The Arizona National Guard Society runs the Arizona Military Museum located at Papago Park. This museum occupies an adobe structure constructed in 1936 as part of a public works initiative during the Great Depression era. Prior to World War II, it functioned as an armory for the National Guard.
— Catherine Reagor
The Memorial Day weekend is significant for new film releases.
Movie enthusiasts looking to escape the warmth over the Memorial Day weekend have two anticipated blockbuster releases to consider — Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” and Paramount’s “Mission:Impossible.”
.
”
The upcoming live-action adaptation of Disney’s 2002 animated movie was anticipated to generate over $150 million during the weekend box office.
Paramount’s espionage thriller featuring Tom Cruise was projected to rake in between $75 million and $85 million in ticket sales, potentially placing it as the second highest-grossing movie over the three-day period. This installment marks the eighth film in the franchise and might also signify the final outing for Cruise in this role.
Other upcoming releases are anticipated to attract audiences, such as Warner Bros.’s “Final Destination: Bloodlines” and “Sinners.”
Film critics are forecasting that this Memorial Day weekend might surpass the holiday weekend of 2013, which saw an all-time high of $306 million.
— Catherine Reagor
Closure of Roads and Highways in Arizona During Memorial Day Weekend
Arizona drivers will be
largely clear of freeway closings and limitations
over the Memorial Day weekend in 2025.
The Arizona Department of Transportation reported that no full-scale construction or upkeep shutdowns were scheduled for state roads, encompassing the Phoenix-area expressways, between the afternoon of May 23 and the evening of May 26.
The initial and concluding days of the extended weekend were anticipated to see heavy traffic as individuals embarked on journeys to and returned from their vacation spots.
The ADOT suggested drivers permit additional driving time throughout the entire weekend, with particular attention needed on Fridays and Mondays.
Drivers need to be ready for unexpected highway closings because of accidents, broken-down cars, or wildfires, along with fluctuating weather conditions such as dust storms, according to ADOT.
The National Weather Service did not predict high winds for the Phoenix region during the weekend.
— Olivia Rose
Friday is anticipated to be the peak temperature of the extended weekend.
The Memorial Day weekend in Phoenix typically involves firing up the grill amidst the intense sunlight, and this year will be no different.
Temperatures
were expected to fluctuate
From the mid-90s down to around the 100s as we move towards the end of the week and into the weekend. This weather prediction fit the typical pattern for this area during this season: scorching temperatures, minimal moisture, and clear blue skies without a cloud in sight.
“It’s expected to be seasonally warm,” stated Ted Whittoack, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service office in Phoenix.
Temperatures were
expected to peak Friday
, peaking at 100-104 degrees, before cooling off to peak temperatures ranging from the high 90s to around 100 for the remainder of the extended weekend.
Typical high temperatures on Memorial Day usually fall between 98 and 100 degrees. In the previous year, the temperature peaked at 102 degrees.
The likelihood of rain was non-existent, as usual for this time of year, which statistically is the driest period.
— Hayleigh Evans
The article initially appeared in the Arizona Republic.
Memorial Day 2025 in Arizona: Freeway Closures Not Scheduled for Holiday Weekend
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