Memorial Day Weekend Celebrations Kick Off the Summer Season

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer in the United States, a time when families gather to honor fallen soldiers and celebrate warmer days ahead. This year, celebrations begin on Friday, May 23, and run through Monday, May 26, 2025.

Many families will take the opportunity to remember those who served in the military while enjoying the long weekend. To enhance this experience, numerous themed TV marathons and films will air across various networks and streaming platforms, providing viewers with multiple options that pay tribute to the holiday’s significance.

One noteworthy option is the docuseries ‘Apocalypse: World War II,’ which will be shown on Smithsonian on May 25 from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m., and again on AMC on May 26 from 11 a.m. to 1:15 a.m. This series offers a compelling look at one of the most significant global conflicts in history.

For movie enthusiasts, films like ‘Behind Enemy Lines’ and ‘A Farewell to Arms’ are set to air during the weekend. Turner Classic Movies will feature ‘A Farewell to Arms’ on May 25 at 12 p.m. and again on May 26 at 8 p.m.

If viewers are looking for streaming options, several patriotic movies and shows are currently available. ‘Band of Brothers’ is accessible via HBO Max and Netflix, while ‘Fury’ is available on Amazon Prime Video.

Aside from the thematic content, viewers who prefer light-hearted entertainment can tune into various unrelated movie marathons. AMC will air the ‘Back to the Future‘ movies starting May 24 at 2 p.m. Meanwhile, fans of the Harry Potter franchise can enjoy movie screenings on the USA Network throughout the weekend.

As the weekend festivities unfold, it is important to reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day while enjoying the array of programming available. It is a unique time to balance celebration with remembrance, honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.