While most of us look forward to Memorial Day for its promise of a three-day weekend and its kick-off to the summer season, the holiday marks a more solemn occasion in its official observance of America’s fallen soldiers. Particularly for those who have lost loved ones in service, Memorial Day is a period of commemoration heavy with tradition that honors those who have selflessly sacrificed their lives for the United States. Each year Americans use this designated day of remembrance to visit cemeteries and memorials and pay tribute to those who died in combat, often placing a flag, wreath, flowers, or other decorations upon the grave. Many towns and cities also hold parades in salute to military personnel, both deceased and living.

Memorial Day dates back to the end of the Civil War—a war that saw the loss of more American lives than any conflict in U.S. history—as towns across the country began holding tributes and decorating the graves of those lives claimed by the war in an observed tradition designated as Decoration Day. This day of remembrance eventually grew into what we now know as Memorial Day in the twentieth century to honor military personal who died in all America wars.

As we head into the holiday weekend and get ready for barbecues and family get-togethers and festivals and fun, let’s also make time to pay tribute to our deceased service men and women. Chicago offers a healthy mix of solemnity and celebration for the occasion, so be sure to take advantage of the City’s weekend events.

Start off by honoring military personnel who lost their lives in combat during Chicago’s Memorial Day Parade on Saturday, May 25—a city tradition since 1870 and now one of the largest in the country. Leon Panetta, former Secretary of Defense and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, will act as Grand Marshal and will lead the parade south on State Street from Lake to Van Buren beginning at noon. The Wreath Laying Ceremony will take place pre-parade at 11 a.m. at the Eternal Flame in Daley Plaza.

Then on Sunday, May 26, join together with the rest of the nation and all of our service men and women stationed around the world for the award-winning National Memorial Day Concert aired live on PBS.

And in between these events, celebrate the start of summer in Chicago with festivals, concerts, sports, food, films, runs, and fireworks. You can view a full list of Chicago Memorial Day weekend events here.