Memorial Day in Lexington 2027: ceremony, closings, trash

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Memorial Day 2027 is more than seven months away, so most 2027 schedules are not out yet; dates from 2026 are marked with that year. City information: LexCall 311 or 859-425-2255.

Memorial Day is Monday, May 31, 2027. It honors those who died in military service, and in Lexington it has also been the weekend the city pools open.

Memorial Day observance at the Lexington Cemetery

On Memorial Day 2026 the Lexington Cemetery, 833 W. Main St., held a Memorial Day Observance from 11 a.m. to noon on Monday, May 25, 2026. Veterans of the American Legion Man O’ War Post 8, its honor guard and women’s auxiliary led a service with the presentation of the colors, the playing of taps, a ceremonial firing detail and remarks from the commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Lexington Cemetery also contains Lexington National Cemetery. The cemetery had not posted its 2027 observance as of Oct. 12; we will add it when it does. Cemetery office: 859-255-5522, open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Other ceremonies in Fayette County, by veterans groups, churches and neighborhoods, will be added here as their organizers post them.

Pools open Memorial Day weekend

Lexington Parks and Recreation opened its aquatic centers on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend in 2026. The 2026 opening days were:

Admission in 2026 was $7 for adults and $5 for youth 15 and under. Hours, closing days and spraygrounds are in summer camps and pools. The city will post 2027 dates in the spring.

What is open and closed

What this means for you

• Trash, recycling and yard waste: on Memorial Day 2026 there was no collection on the holiday, and Monday routes were picked up two days later, on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, according to the city’s holiday collection schedule. Unlike most holidays, the Memorial Day makeup day came after the holiday. Check the 2027 table when the city posts it, or see trash and recycling.
• City offices: Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government offices closed for Memorial Day in 2026; the city has not posted its 2027 holiday closures yet.
• Library: all Lexington Public Library locations are closed Monday, May 31, 2027.
• Lextran: in 2025, buses ran a Sunday schedule on Memorial Day, with customer service by phone from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check lextran.com for 2027.
• Schools: Fayette County Public Schools’ last day of classes is Wednesday, May 26, 2027, pending weather make-up days, so school is out by Memorial Day (schools).

More for the long weekend

• Walking and biking trails and dog-friendly Lexington
• Kids’ activities in Lexington
• Free things to do in Lexington
• Summer starts here: Fourth of July fireworks are next on the calendar.

Frequently asked questions

When is Memorial Day 2027?

Monday, May 31, 2027.

Is there a Memorial Day ceremony in Lexington?

Yes. On Memorial Day 2026 the Lexington Cemetery, 833 W. Main St., held a Memorial Day Observance from 11 a.m. to noon with American Legion Man O’ War Post 8, the colors, taps and a firing detail. The cemetery had not posted its 2027 observance as of Oct. 12, 2026.

Is trash picked up on Memorial Day in Lexington?

Not on the day itself. On Memorial Day 2026 there was no city collection on Monday, May 25, and Monday routes were picked up on Wednesday, May 27. The city has not posted its 2027 holiday schedule yet.

When do Lexington city pools open?

In 2026 five of the six city aquatic centers opened Saturday, May 23, at 11 a.m., the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, and Shillito opened May 30. 2027 dates are not posted yet.

Is the Lexington library open on Memorial Day?

No. All Lexington Public Library locations are closed on Monday, May 31, 2027.