Memorial Day events fill the weekend from Jacksonville to Palatka

Blue crabs in Palatka, fireworks in Green Cove Springs and recognition of war heroes around the First Coast are just some of the activities that will frame the Memorial Day weekend in Northeast Florida.

Here are some of the weekend’s events (in the order they’ll occur):

• Palatka’s 2026 Blue Crab Festival will begin at 6 p.m. Friday with live music, ski shows and food, and continue through Sunday. The annual event is set for downtown Palatka along St. Johns Avenue from Memorial Parkway to 6th Street. The Gatorland Water Ski Show Team will perform at 11 a.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday on the St. Johns River. Saturday night will conclude with a fireworks show over the river at 9 p.m. FYI: A number of downtown streets will be closed Friday night, Saturday and Sunday for the event. Festival information can be found at palatkabluecrab.com.

• A Day of Remembrance ceremony is set for Saturday morning at the Jacksonville National Cemetery on Lannie Road in North Jacksonville. The public is invited to a memorial at the cemetery at 9:30 a.m. Visitors are asked to get to the site by 8:45 a.m. to secure parking. The ceremony will include live music, honor guards, a rifle squad and a flyover. An invocation and a laying of memorial wreaths also will occur. Patriotic music will begin at 9 a.m.

• The Sixth Annual JAX Anchor Fest will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Jacksonville Naval Museum and the USS Orleck, a restored Navy destroyer, at 610 E. Bay St. The event will honor America’s military and celebrate the country’s 250th birthday with a car show, kids zone and live music. All proceeds will benefit Northeast Florida veterans programs.

• The Florida Striders Memorial Day 5K will start at 8 a.m. Monday in Orange Park, with the children’s 1-mile Fun Run at 9:15 a.m. Both runs start and end at Town Hall Park, at 2042 Park Ave.

• Jacksonville’s annual Memorial Day Observance will be held Monday morning at the Veterans Memorial Wall, at 1145 E. Adams St. The community is invited to join veterans, active-duty military and others to honor those who died in service. The city’s Military Affairs and Veterans Department is coordinating the ceremony, which will start at 8:30 a.m. with patriotic music, wreath presentations and remarks recognizing America’s fallen heroes. Free parking is available in Lot P on East Adams Street, between the Veterans Memorial Wall and VyStar Ballpark.

• The Green Cove Springs Riverfest will come to Spring Park on Memorial Day with music, family events and fireworks. The 38th annual Riverfest will run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at the park on St. Johns Avenue. The day begins with a Veteran Recognition Ceremony, with a wreath laying and recognition of veterans from every military branch. The city pool will be open free of charge from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. More than 60 craft and nonprofit vendors will join a Kids’ Zone. Due to the current Clay County burning ban, city officials could cancel the fireworks display over the St. Johns River.