Chicago Memorial Day Parade — May 23

The City of Chicago will mark Memorial Day on Saturday, May 23, with an 11 a.m. wreath-laying ceremony at Richard J. Daley Center Plaza, followed by the annual parade at noon downtown. City listings say the ceremony will take place at 50 W. Washington St., and the parade will proceed along Dearborn Street from Lake Street to Van Buren Street. The event honors U.S. service members who died in military service, according to the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Choose Chicago lists the same schedule and route for visitors planning to attend. ### Where and when does the parade start? Saturday, May 23, is the date set by the City of Chicago for both the ceremony and the parade. The wreath-laying ceremony begins at 11 a.m. at Daley Plaza, and the parade steps off at noon, city and tourism listings say. Dearborn Street is the published parade route. (chicago.gov) The city says marchers will move south from Lake Street to Van Buren Street. ### Who is leading this year’s commemoration? Sergeant Major Janet Sandoval of the United States Marine Corps is this year’s grand marshal and keynote speaker, according to the city. (chicago.gov) The city describes Sandoval as a Chicago native and Lane Tech High School graduate whose military career spans more than 20 years. In May 2025, she reported for duty as command senior enlisted leader at Recruiting Station Chicago, 9th Marine Corps District, the city said. Master Sergeant Adam Shaw, U.S. Army, retired, is listed by the city as emcee of the wreath-laying ceremony. The parade itself will be emceed by Karen Hernandez, executive director of Chicago Veterans, and Shaw, according to the city’s event page. ### What will people see during the ceremony and parade? (chicago.gov) Gold Star families and representatives of the Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Merchant Marines and Coast Guard are scheduled to take part in the wreath-laying ceremony, the city said. Taps will be performed by the 484th Army Band, and the national anthem will be sung by Air Force veteran Morgan Renae Williams. (chicago.gov) Veterans’ groups, active-duty service members, JROTC cadets, community organizations and marching bands are expected in the parade, according to the city and Choose Chicago. The city says the procession is intended to honor fallen service members. ### Is there an award presentation tied to the event? (chicago.gov) Karen Hernandez is set to receive the Major General John A. Logan Patriot Award as part of the ceremony, the city said. The city identifies Hernandez as executive director of Chicago Veterans and a medical services officer in the U.S. Army. (chicago.gov) The city also said it will recognize four Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps students with Cadets of the Year awards. The event page excerpt reviewed did not list the students’ names. ### What should attendees know about downtown access? Loop Chicago’s advisory page lists the event on Saturday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (chicago.gov) The advisory says the wreath-laying ceremony will take place at Daley Plaza and the parade will begin at noon along Dearborn. The same advisory indicates traffic impacts in the Loop during the event window. (chicago.gov) People heading downtown can find updated details through the city’s event page and Choose Chicago’s listing before Saturday’s ceremony and parade. (choosechicago.com) (loopchicago.com)