For many, Memorial Day weekend evokes the start of the summer season — warm days, cool nights, and lots of outdoor fun! Memorial Day itself serves as a day of remembrance for those that have given their lives for our country. Luckily, events taking place this weekend take on both meanings — giving you plenty of ways to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice AND hit up some outdoor festivities and summery fun. See below for just a taste of what to expect this long weekend in the Sacramento area:

Sacramento County Fair 2017
Cal Expo
May 25-29 | Thurs-Sun 10am-10pm; Mon 10am-7pm
Fun, affordable and safe for the whole family! Enjoy a friendly atmosphere, traditional county fair competitions, agriculture displays, hands-on family activities, carnival, festival-style entertainment, and specialty food.

Sacramento Music Festival 2017
Old Sacramento
May 26-29 | Fri & Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 10am-11pm; Mon 10am-4pm
Join music lovers from across the region for a one-of-a-kind music experience in the festive streets of Old Sacramento on Memorial Day weekend. The Sacramento Music Festival is a safe, four-day, all-day celebration featuring live music, 100 unique performances, street dancing, animated parades, instruments booming, and great food and drink in an energetic atmosphere.

Torch Fest 2017
Torch Club
May 26-29 | Fri & Sat 5:30pm-10pm; Sun 4pm-Midnight
Join the Torch Club for its annual three-day music festival and make your Memorial Day Weekend a staycation! Featuring some of the hottest Sacramento musicians on the hottest stage in town, look forward to three days of live music, tasty treats and refreshing libations!

Elk Grove Brewfest
Old Town Plaza
May 26 | Fri 6pm-10pm
Elk Grove Brewfest will feature 50+ breweries, cideries, meaderies, and a few wineries, with local gourmet food trucks, vendors, a cigar lounge, and live music and entertainment. Come and take in the sights at Historic Elk Grove and join us for a night to remember at this community-focused event.

Sacramento Colonial Music Festival III
Cafe Colonial, The Colony and Colonial Theatre
May 26 & 27 | Fri 6pm-Midnight; Sat Noon-Midnight
Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the Sacramento Colonial Music Festival III features over 25 area bands and performers. This year’s festival will be one of the biggest game- and music-themed festivals in the area!

International Kids Festival
William Land Park
May 27 | Sat 10am-4pm
Join the International Kids Festival and enjoy free pony rides, jumbo inflatables, rock climbing wall, miniature train rides, trampolines, face painting and more. Try some amazing food from a parade of local food trucks while you watch spectacular stage entertainment by professional dancers, gymnasts, and athletes.

Track 7 Brewing Co 2nd Annual Memorial Day Block Party
Track 7 Brewing Co. – Curtis Park
May 27 | Sat 2pm-9pm
Nothing says a block party like loud horns playing, drumming, singing and dancing. Deejays James and Raine of Souls and Sounds Productions will be playing all day. Food trucks Slightly Skewed, Bella Familia Pizza and Voyager World Cuisine will be selling delicious eats.

18th Annual California Vietnam Veterans Memorial Reading of the Names
California State Capitol Park
May 28 | Sun 6:30am~1pm
Remember the 5,800+ California veterans whose names are inscribed upon the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial this weekend.

8th Annual Vettes and Vets and American Muscle Car Show
California Automobile Museum
May 29 | Mon 9am-2pm
Everyone knows summer is car show season, so come join the California Automobile Museum for a free car show to honor the servicemen and women who have served our country! A deejay will be spinning some classic summer tunes and food will be available for purchase throughout the day!

Sacramento Memorial Auditorium Memorial Day Open House
Memorial Auditorium
May 29 | Mon 10am-1pm
In honor of Memorial Day, the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium invites the public to an open house. Built in 1927, the auditorium is not only a gathering place for the community, it is a tribute to the men and women who made the supreme sacrifice in service to our country.

For even more ways to celebrate this Memorial Day, visit the Sacramento365’s Holiday Events page.