Memorial Day is Monday, May 31, 2027. City Hall closes and trash runs a day late. PARA's ceremony is at Veterans Memorial Park; pools open that weekend.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address; the dates below are for Memorial Day 2027 unless marked as 2026. Facts come from the City of Tuscaloosa’s observed holidays list and its 2026 Memorial Day schedule, and the Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority’s Memorial Day Program page.

Memorial Day is Monday, May 31, 2027. City Hall is closed, garbage pickup slides a day for the rest of the week, and the Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority (PARA) holds its Memorial Day Program at Veterans Memorial Park. The weekend also opens the outdoor pool and splash pad season.

What this means for you

  • Trash: in 2026, every route ran one day late during Memorial Day week. Questions: 311, or 205-248-5311.
  • City Hall: closed Monday, May 31, 2027. In 2026 it closed at 4 p.m. the Friday before.
  • Ceremony: PARA’s program, 9 a.m. Memorial Day, Veterans Memorial Park. PARA: 205-562-3220.
  • Schools: Tuscaloosa City Schools’ last day for students is Wednesday, May 26, 2027, and offices are closed May 31.

The Memorial Day Program

PARA’s annual Memorial Day Program is held at 9 a.m. on Memorial Day at Veterans Memorial Park, 1701 McFarland Blvd. East. In 2026 the keynote speaker was Dr. Andrew M. Del Gaudio, department commander of the Alabama Military Order of the Purple Heart. Because of rain that morning, the 2026 program moved indoors to the Belk men’s atrium entrance at University Mall, next to the park. PARA posts the printed program on its page; the 2027 speaker and details were not out as of Oct. 17, 2026.

PARA also keeps endowment and honor roll pages for the park.

Trash, recycling and city offices

The city’s 2026 Memorial Day schedule set the pattern:

2026 City services
Friday, May 22 City Hall closed at 4 p.m.; the Water Business Office lobby at 3:30 p.m. and drive-through at 4 p.m.; 311 at 5 p.m.
Monday, May 25 All offices closed; no garbage, trash or recycling pickup
Tuesday, May 26 Offices reopened; Monday routes collected
Wednesday to Friday, May 27-29 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday routes collected one day late

Memorial Day 2027 is Monday, May 31, on the city’s observed holidays list. In 2026 the city posted its schedule on May 21, the Thursday before. Your pickup day is on our trash and recycling guide.

Pools and splash pad open

PARA opens its outdoor water season on Memorial Day weekend. In 2026, Bowers Park Pool, 2101 Bowers Park Drive, and the Harrison Taylor Splash Pad in Palmore Park, 3701 Fosters Ferry Road, opened Saturday, May 23, according to PARA’s pool and splash pad pages. 2026 day passes were $12 at the pool for ages 2 and up and $6 at the splash pad, with children under 2 free at the splash pad. Hours and summer camps are on our summer camps and pools page.

Frequently asked questions

Is there trash pickup on Memorial Day in Tuscaloosa?

No. In 2026 the city delayed garbage, trash and recycling by one day for the whole week: Monday routes ran Tuesday, through Thursday routes on Friday. Memorial Day 2027 is Monday, May 31, a city holiday.

Where is the Memorial Day ceremony in Tuscaloosa?

PARA holds its Memorial Day Program at 9 a.m. on Memorial Day at Veterans Memorial Park, 1701 McFarland Blvd. East. In 2026 rain moved it indoors to University Mall’s Belk men’s atrium entrance.

When do pools open in Tuscaloosa?

PARA’s outdoor Bowers Park Pool and the Harrison Taylor Splash Pad opened Memorial Day weekend in 2026, on Saturday, May 23. The 2027 opening date was not posted as of Oct. 17, 2026.

Is Tuscaloosa City Hall open on Memorial Day?

No. Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2027, is a city holiday. In 2026 City Hall also closed at 4 p.m. the Friday before.