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The weather is beginning to warm in New Jersey and with it comes the tulips, spring break, Easter — and Memorial Day weekend.
The day is observed in May to commemorate the nation’s fallen service members, but it’s come to be the unofficial kick-off of summer, with a long weekend filled with friends, family, outdoor gatherings and beach trips, and the hope for sunny skies.
Here’s what to know about when the holiday falls, who may be off work and what the weather is looking like so you can plan out your next adventure in New Jersey.
When is Memorial Day 2025?
Memorial Day always falls on the last Monday in May.
This year, Memorial Day is Monday, May 26, 2025. The long Memorial Day weekend would be Saturday, May 24 through Monday, May 26 this year, so be sure to know that when booking your hotel room.
Why do we celebrate Memorial Day?
Observances to honor fallen servicepeople began after the Civil War, which ended in 1865. In 1868, Memorial Day was officially designated as May 30 by Gen. John Logan. Over time, the holiday was expanded to include fallen soldiers from all American wars. In 1971, Congress declared it a national holiday, changing the observance from May 30 to the last Monday in May.
The annual holiday is also referred to as “Decoration Day” in recognition of the flowers, flags and other adornments that decorate the graves of fallen military persons.
Is Memorial Day a federal holiday?
Yes. Memorial Day is one of 11 federal holidays in the U.S. If you are a federal worker in the Washington, D.C. metro area, including Inauguration Day.
Memorial Day weather forecast 2025 in New Jersey
The Farmers’ Almanac, which dates to 1818, predicts it’ll be warm, then cool along the Atlantic Corridor — including most of New Jersey — between May 23-31, with possible scattered thunderstorms. The month is expected to have slightly higher-than-average temperatures, around the mid-60s.
Fellow weather prognosticator periodical the Old Farmers’ Almanac, the oldest continuously published periodical dating to 1792, predicts a “pleasant, then very breezy” Memorial Day weekend with showers that they hope hold off until after Memorial Day.
The National Weather Service releases their 30-day outlook discussions on a set date each month. The May 2025 forecast will be released on Thursday, April 17. However, a three-month outlook for April, May and June shows temperatures may lean above average in New Jersey, with a 50/50 equal chance of rainfall during the same time period.
Federal holidays 2025
Here are the remaining federal holidays in 2025 after Memorial Day, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management:
- Thursday, June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
- Friday, July 4: Independence Day
- Monday, Sept. 1: Labor Day
- Monday, Oct. 13: Columbus Day
- Tuesday, Nov. 11: Veterans Day
- Thursday, Nov. 27: Thanksgiving Day
- Thursday, Dec. 25: Christmas Day
New Jersey state holidays 2025
Here are the 2025 state holidays observed in New Jersey, according to the official state website:
- Friday, April 18: Good Friday
- Monday, May 26: Memorial Day
- Thursday, June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
- Friday, July 4: Independence Day
- Monday, Sept. 1: Labor Day
- Monday, Oct. 13: Columbus Day
- Tuesday, Nov. 4: Election Day
- Tuesday, Nov. 11: Veterans Day
- Thursday, Nov. 27: Thanksgiving Day
- Thursday, Dec. 25: Christmas Day
Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.