Memorial Day 2026 ceremonies, parades held in Chicago, Elmhurst, Naperville, Arlington Heights, and more

CHICAGO (WLS) — Ceremonies and parades across the Chicago area honored the national’s fallen on Memorial Day.

On Monday, thousands came out in the north suburbs to pay their respects and honor the sacrifices of those who gave their lives defending our freedom.

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It was a picturesque Memorial Day morning for a parade in Arlington Heights. Organizers say roughly 2,500 people took part, with another 5,000 or more spectators lining the route.

“This is about the most patriotic town that I have ever known. And I said, for those of us who are veterans, we just want to remind everybody we are home of the free because of the brave,” said former Sen. Mark Kirk, who represented Illinois.

The brave includes those like Medal of Honor recipient and guest of honor Allen J. Lynch.

“I lost friends in Vietnam, and good friends, and there’s always a hole in your heart when that happens. But today, it gets especially tender. It’s a time to remember and honor their service and what they gave to this country, their last full measure,” Lynch said.

Over the years, the Veterans Memorial Committee of Arlington Heights has researched and found record of all the service members from the north suburb who have died in the line of duty.

The 107th annual parade ended at Memorial Park, where a special service honored the 68 men from Arlington Heights who died in service to our nation, dating back to the Civil War and all the way up to more recent conflict in Afghanistan.

“They go so far back, I’m thinking, what was their life like? And then, they went to serve, you know, it had to be harder, harder for them to leave their families, but they did to support our country,” said attendee Pam Schneider.

Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia weighed in on the significance of Memorial Day.

“This is for all those who gave everything and who maybe didn’t come home, or came home, and still didn’t make it. It’s a somber day, and it’s a way for us to recognize and give thanks,” Tinaglia said.

In Elmhurst, there was a similar commemoration, and for many, it was a family affair.

“Every year,” said attendee Sarah Garcia. “She used to march. My son is marching. And I love that. I can spend time with my family. We’ve got three generations of women here.”

In its 108th year, the Elmhurst Memorial Day parade had everything from marching bands, to choirs, to veterans groups, and community organizations.

“I love the bagpipes,” Garcia said. “We’ve got Scottish heritage in our family, so this is my favorite.”

People lined the parade route as the community gathered to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

“This is a family tradition, and my grandson is a Boy Scout, so, he’s marching today,” Elmhurst resident Jami Gabelman said.

“It’s important to teach the kids about why we do all these things,” Elmhurst resident Mark Baron said. “It’s not just a parade. It’s a little bit more than that.”

“It’s not about you,” Parade Grand Marshall William Shanklin said. “It’s not about me. What it’s about is everybody who paid the price for our freedom. So we represent them, we represent your community.”

Shanklin is a decorated veteran who served in the U.S. Army special forces during the Cold War and Vietnam War era. He spent more than two years deployed overseas and received numerous distinctions over the course of his military service.

Even as recently as 2019, at the age of 75, Shanklin completed a parachute jump from a C-47 aircraft into Normandy, as part of the 75th D-Day anniversary.

“I was asked the other day ‘Bill, would you want your grandson to go into the military, given all the things that you’ve seen?’ I said, ‘Yes,’ and the reason is, somebody’s got to stand on watch. Somebody has to stand on watch and be ready to keep us free,” Shanklin said.

Monday also marks a historic moment for the city with the unveiling of the Elmhurst 250 Bell, which was also showcased in the parade.

“We found an old cart in Pennsylvania, a railroad cart, had it shipped here,” said Rich Reichert of the Elmhurst Economic Development Commission. “We have a crew of about six people. They fashioned it, and it’s really cool. It’ll be all around Elmhurst, all summer long, at different events.”

Fundraised through the Elmhurst Heritage foundation, the bell will serve as a lasting symbol of the nation’s 250th anniversary and love for our country.

“We’re hoping to get the whole city excited about America 250,” Reichert said.

The Elmhurst mayor and other city leaders honored local fallen service members in a somber ceremony that they hope encourages people to reflect on why we’re all here.

And while many parades are celebratory on Memorial Day, they strike a different tone.

In Naperville, it was a calm morning at the Dan Shanower Memorial dedicated to the naval commander who was killed in the attack on the Pentagon on September 11th.

“It’s important to teach the kids about why we do all these things. It’s not just a parade. It’s a little bit more than that,” said Mark Baron, of Elmhurst.

Veterans and family of service members killed in action remind us all that Memorial Day is a somber holiday, one they hope people use to reflect on why we have this day in the first place.

Chicagoans take advantage of warm weather

Beautiful skies and holiday warmth had many people enjoying Chicago’s lakefront on Monday.

Meanwhile, beautiful skies and holiday warmth had many people enjoying Chicago’s lakefront on Monday.

The playgrounds have been empty because everyone is at the beach, some just for leisure and others to celebrate milestones.

A Korean-style barbeque got underway at 31st Street Beach. It was a special meal for a special celebration.

“I just defended my doctoral proposal this spring, so I am graduating this spring in the College of Education,” said new PHD graduate Qiong Chen.

This holiday marked a landmark achievement for Chen.

“I’m just really lucky, you know, to have a lot of supporters around me, to help me along the way,” said Chen.

Millions of Americans are hitting the skies this holiday weekend.

The mom and Chicago Public Schools teacher says she is finally ready to take a breather after five years of hard work.

“They sacrifice a lot to support me along the journey. I think this is a time I’m going to slow down a little bit,” Chen said.

For others, slowing down means clear blue skies, perfect lake water, and a green flag to signal a more than perfect day in the city.

“We packed up everything, and we said, we’re going to enjoy this beautiful day. Yeah, it’s 80, because we were waiting for this day to come,” said Bernadette Kabir.

It was a packed house at the beach from those relaxing and reading to others playing volleyball and getting out on the water.

“Barbecuing, and we’re kind of chilling, and then, we’re going to go to the Sox game,” said Chicagoan Tito Trinidad.

The green flag is still up at 31st Street Beach, which means swimming is permitted and the water is in good condition.

Other Memorial Day events in Chicagoland

Naperville held four other short services:

-One at 8:15 a.m. at the G.A.R. Monument on the south side of Naperville Cemetery.

-One at 8:35 a.m. at the Gold Star Families’ Memorial at Veterans Park.

– At 9 a.m., people gathered at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery.

– At 9:25, there was a short service at Burlington Square.

In Chicago, Beverly and Morgan Park held the 100th Annual Beverly Hills/Morgan Park Memorial Day Parade, stepping off at 10:15 a.m. from 110th Street and Longwood Drive. It went north to Ridge Park at 9625 S. Longwood Drive. The annual Ridge Run will take place prior to the parade.

Elgin held a ceremony at 8:45 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery, with another ceremony at 9:15 a.m. at Lakewood Memorial Park, a 9:34 a.m. ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park, and an additional program at 11 a.m. at Bluff City Cemetery.

In Lake In The Hills, a newly rebuilt veterans’ memorial next to the Village Hall was formally rededicated at a 9 a.m. ceremony.

A solemn parade took place in Woodridge, beginning at the fire station at 75th Street and Woodridge Drive at 9 a.m.

The Vietnam Veterans of America Chicago chapter held a wreath-laying at the monument on the Riverwalk at 9 a.m.

In Park Ridge, a Memorial Day observance began at 9:30 a.m. at South Park Recreation Center, followed by the Annual Memorial Day Parade, which stepped off at 10 a.m. from the park rec center and ended at Hodges Park.

Aurora held its annual parade, stepping off at 10 a.m. at Benton Street and River Street.

At Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago, the parade stepped off at 10 a.m. at Rosehill Drive and Ashland Avenue and headed to the cemetery’s veterans garden for a 10:45 a.m. ceremony.

The 11th Annual Commander Robert Davis South Side Memorial Day Parade began with a wreath-laying ceremony at St. Leo Campus for Veterans, 7750 S Emerald Ave. in Chicago, at 10 a.m., and a parade began at 11 a.m. at Veteran’s New Beginnings at 8140 S. Racine Ave.

In Crown Point, the parade began at 10:30 a.m. on Joliet Street with a brief ceremony at 11 a.m. at the historic Maplewood Cemetery.

In Plainfield, the parade stepped off at 10:45 a.m. at Ira Jones Middle School and ended at the memorial in Settler’s Park, where a ceremony took place.

In Crystal Lake, the parade began at 11 a.m. at Central high School and end at Union Cemetery, where a service was held.

The Wellington Oakdale Old Glory Marching Society (WOOFMS) parade continued its tradition where “everybody marches and nobody (just) watches.”

Orland Park held a ceremony at 11 a.m. at the village’s memorial Ara Pace, Place of Peace located outside Village Hall.

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