Memorial Day & Beaches Opening Events

New York City entered Memorial Day weekend with its public beaches reopening for the summer season and city agencies warning residents to monitor weather conditions as rain moved across the region. NYC Parks says the city maintains 14 miles of public beaches, which open Memorial Day weekend, and lifeguards are on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The city’s Health Department said public beaches reopened Memorial Day weekend in 2026, while Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York City Emergency Management issued a weather alert on May 22 for prolonged rainfall expected through the holiday weekend. Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 25, 2026, according to the City Clerk’s holiday calendar. ### Which beaches are open for the holiday weekend? NYC Parks says city beaches opened for the season on Memorial Day weekend and will remain open through September 13, 2026. The department says all city beaches are free and open to the public. Coney Island and Brighton Beach, Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk, and Manhattan Beach are among the sites listed by NYC Parks as open during beach season. (nycgovparks.org) The agency says swimming is prohibited when lifeguards are not on duty and in closed sections marked by signs or red flags. ### What hours and rules should beachgoers know? (nycgovparks.org) NYC Parks says lifeguards are on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during beach season. The city’s public events listing for beaches repeats that schedule and says beachgoers should sign up for Notify NYC and opt in to beach notifications for real-time opening and closing alerts. NYC311 says beach status includes water quality, safety conditions, whether a beach is open or closed and whether a swimming or wading advisory is in effect. (nycgovparks.org) The service also says alcohol is not allowed on public beaches, and that the Coney Island Beach status applies to both Coney Island and Brighton Beach. ### What else is happening in the city for Memorial Day? (nycgovparks.org) The city’s events calendar lists Memorial Day as a public holiday, with city offices and New York City public schools closed and no mail delivery. NYC Parks separately says all recreation centers will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026, in observance of Memorial Day. NYC DOT traffic advisories say street closures are planned on Monday, May 25, for the 107th Staten Island Memorial Day Parade and for Brooklyn’s 159th Memorial Day Parade. (portal.311.nyc.gov) NYC Parks’ veterans history page says Memorial Day is commemorated across the city with ceremonies ranging from wreath layings to parades, including events in Queens and Staten Island. (nyc.gov) ### How is the weather affecting the weekend? Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York City Emergency Management said on May 22 that rain was expected to begin Saturday morning, with the heaviest rainfall forecast from Saturday evening through Sunday morning. Their advisory said current forecasts called for 1.5 to 2 inches of rainfall over the weekend, with thunderstorms capable of producing rainfall rates of up to 1 inch per hour for brief periods. (nyc.gov) Christina Farrell, the city’s emergency management commissioner, said “periods of steady rain could still lead to hazardous travel conditions and localized flooding,” according to the mayor’s office. The city said specialized emergency assets and response teams were on standby and urged residents to sign up for Notify NYC alerts. (nyc.gov) ### Where can people check conditions before heading out? The New York City Health Department says beachgoers can sign up for Beach Notifications on Notify NYC or use the NYC Beach Water Quality Map for current conditions. NYC311 also directs residents to the city’s beach status service for updates on water quality, safety and closures. (nyc.gov) Through September 13, 2026, NYC Parks says the city’s beach season will continue at sites including Coney Island, Brighton Beach and Rockaway Beach, with daily lifeguard coverage from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (nycgovparks.org) (nyc.gov)