Memorial Day Weekend in Miami | Where to Celebrate the Start of Summer
Memorial Day Weekend in Miami | Where to Celebrate the Start of Summer
Memorial Day Weekend in Miami | Where to Celebrate the Start of Summer
Memorial Day weekend (May 22-25, 2026) kicks off summer in Greater Miami and Miami Beach with high-energy celebrations and coastal charm. Here is your go-to guide for making the most of the long weekend!
What to Do
The main event of the weekend is the Hyundai Air & Sea Show, bringing precision flyovers, military demonstrations and tributes to service members to Miami Beach. For a close-up view of the spectacle, head to The Betsy – South Beach’s rooftop. The hotel also features a full slate of cultural programming, including live jazz at The Piano Bar, projection mapping at “The Betsy Orb” and poetry installations along “The Betsy Poetry Rail.”
A short distance away, Lincoln Road, an eight-block pedestrian promenade, features more than 200 shops, restaurants, galleries and public art, making it an easy addition to the holiday weekend itinerary.
For a livelier scene, head to one of the The Goodtime Hotel, Miami Beach’s signature pool parties at The Pool at Strawberry Moon. Non-hotel guests are welcome, and during Memorial Day weekend, first responders, police officers, firefighters, EMTs and military personnel with valid ID receive complimentary access. On Monday, May 25, the poolside celebration features music by DJ Dysomnia and a festive grill on the deck. Special menu highlights include the Frita Burger ($24) with double beef, cheddar, crispy potato sticks, garlic aioli and guava ketchup; Pimento Cheeseburger ($26) with pimento cheese, lettuce and tomato; and Choripán Asado Sandwich ($18) with grilled chorizo and chimichurri on a baguette. Cocktails such as Ketel One Cosmopolitans ($14) and Espresso Martinis ($14) round out the holiday gathering. For more information, click HERE.
Where to Stay
Whether planning a beachfront retreat or a stay in the heart of the city, Miami offers options for every pace of the holiday weekend.
In South of Fifth, Balfour Miami Beach, a Registry Collection hotel, brings together classic art deco design and updated comforts across two restored buildings dating to the 1940s. Rooms are outfitted with Lavazza coffee, curated bar carts and eco-conscious bath amenities, while perks include a rooftop deck, a plunge pool, bike rentals and direct beach access. Guests can also stop by SoFi Coffee for a casual bite or dine at Laurel Miami Beach for Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
Active and retired military members, veterans and their families can take advantage of special rates at Hotel Continental, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. The 10-story, 100-room property features a pool inspired by 1950s MiMo design, along with curated artwork and welcoming shared spaces.
At Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Autograph Collection, a 357-room oceanfront resort, guests will find a blend of European Riviera style and classic art deco details. The property includes landscaped grounds, resort pools, direct beach access and several dining venues. Its Seaside Savings offer adds extras such as welcome prosecco and a $50 dining credit.
The Gates Hotel South Beach offers a more relaxed stay along the Collins Canal, combining midcentury-modern style with art deco influences and close proximity to Lincoln Road, the Bass Museum, and Miami Beach dining and nightlife. Guests can lounge poolside in double-sided cabanas or book in-room treatments with K’Alma Spa. The Stay More, Save More offer provides up to 15% off stays of three nights or longer.
At Arlo Wynwood, military members, veterans and their families receive up to 20% off. Located near Wynwood’s renowned street art, galleries and nightlife, the hotel features a rooftop pool and lounge at ART Wynwood, along with live music and wellness programming. On Sunday, May 24, from 5-11 p.m., STAMPED returns to the Higher Ground courtyard with AYA and Friends, delivering Afrobeats, Amapiano and sunset DJ sets. Tickets are available via Eventbrite.
Swap the traditional backyard cookout for waterfront views at The Elser Hotel & Residences, a 49-story tower in Downtown Miami. Accommodations range from studio layouts to three-bedroom suites, each with floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies. Suites also include full kitchens and in-unit laundry for a more residential feel. Guests can spend the day at the 132-foot rooftop pool or relax on the expansive sun deck overlooking the skyline, with views across Biscayne Bay that capture the Air and Sea Show from a distance. On May 23 and 24, the pool hosts a live mermaid experience from noon to 2 p.m., offering a playful photo moment for families, alongside a barbecue from noon to 4 p.m. For dining and drinks, Bayview Rooftop Bar and Kitchen serves light bites and cocktails for an all-in-one summer kickoff. The hotel also extends a 15% discount on best available rates to active-duty military and veterans with a valid ID.
In Brickell, Novotel Miami Brickell places guests steps from dining, shopping and nightlife. The hotel features a rooftop pool, Vista Rooftop Bar & Lounge and UVA Restaurant & Bar, along with global cuisine and skyline views.
Where to Eat
Miami’s dining scene is part of the weekend, with options ranging from quick bites to high-energy dinner destinations.
Kung Fu Chicken in Miami Beach serves crispy 24-hour marinated fried chicken and Asian street food with a modern twist, ideal for takeout or a quick bite between plans.
Laurel Miami Beach draws on Old World culinary traditions with a New American menu influenced by Mediterranean flavors, along with a curated wine and cocktail program and terrace and courtyard seating.
The Alley serves up an Italian-inspired menu centered on Roman-style pizzas with crisp, airy crusts, plus seasonal salads, charcuterie, house-made gelato and cocktails.
Donna Mare Italian Chophouse reimagines coastal Italian cooking with fresh house-made pasta, wood-fired pizzas using a decades-old mother yeast, premium steaks and sustainably sourced seafood.
Steps from the shoreline, beachfront Bungalow Beach Bar & Grill shifts from casual daytime fare like juices and raw bar items to evening cocktails and rosé.
In Wynwood, THRōW Social® Miami combines dining and entertainment in an indoor-outdoor space featuring LED ping-pong, shuffleboard, oversized games, DJs and live music.
Wyn Wyn offers a globally influenced, shareable menu with playful interpretations of international dishes, along with brunch DJ sets, cocktail specials and high-energy dinners suited for group celebrations.
Italian dining takes center stage at Da Angelino Cucina Italiana, featuring house-made pastas, fresh seafood and meats, and a curated wine list, while Al Bàcaro serves Venetian-style cicchetti, small plates and wines by the glass.
The newly opened Mottai showcases a technique-driven Japanese approach with raw preparations, grill-focused dishes, and a selection of nigiri and maki.
Vista Rooftop Bar & Lounge channels retro Latin American style with Miami energy, serving shareable plates and cocktails during the day and skyline views with evening drinks after dark.
At Delilah Miami, Sunday Jazz Night pairs live music with playful cocktail towers and indulgent bites, including chicken tenders with caviar, sliders, tartare cones and wagyu pigs in a blanket.
