If you're looking for a place to mark the start of summer right, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach is a natural fit. This is a military-friendly community with deep ties to the armed forces, so Memorial Day carries real meaning here, alongside all the sunshine, good food, and on-the-water fun you'd expect from a Florida Gulf Coast getaway.
Here's what to know before you visit.
Memorial Day Happenings
A few events have historically taken place in the area each Memorial Day weekend, and we expect them to return in 2026. We'll update this page with confirmed details as soon as they're announced, typically by early May.
- The Military Heritage Museum presents a Memorial Day Commemoration, Monday, May 25, 2026, featuring a color guard ceremony, a 1st person re-enactor, Memorial Day documentary, and more.
- The Boca Grande H20 Sandbar Music Fest is an annual Memorial Day weekend tradition taking place entirely on and in the water near the Boca Grande Sandbar and Dog Island. This all-day event features live music, food boats, a barge broadcasting live footage throughout the day, and other fun activities. You can even catch a ride over with Punta Gorda Adventures!
- A Memorial Day ceremony has historically been held at Veterans Park, beside the Vietnam Memorial Wall of Southwest Florida, always a moving and meaningful tribute.
Check our Events Calendar closer to the holiday for confirmed dates, times, and details.
As summer approaches, we also highly recommend keeping an eye out for accommodations specials, like the Memorial Day Special Sunseeker Resort Florida Gulf Coast is running.
Things to Do Over Memorial Day Weekend
The long weekend gives you plenty of time to mix it up. On the water, you can fish, swim, paddleboard or kayak, or just anchor somewhere beautiful and float. Boat and jet ski rentals are easy to find if you want to get out on the water on your own terms. The beaches here are also prime territory for shelling and hunting fossilized shark teeth, which never gets old.
On land, 15+ golf courses mean you can play a relaxed round (or two) without fighting for a tee time. Beyond the fairways, the area offers scenic bike trails, wildlife-rich parks and nature preserves, and waterfront parks perfect for a picnic.
Whatever you do, make sure you're somewhere with a good view when the sun goes down. Sunsets here are not optional.
Where to Eat & Drink
You won't have any trouble finding a great meal. The area has a solid range of waterfront restaurants, casual outdoor spots, locally-loved neighborhood joints with live music galore, and a growing food truck scene, with something for every appetite and mood.
For a deeper look at the local dining scene, including the people and stories behind the restaurants, visit our Flavor Coast site. You'll also find curated Foodie Itineraries there if you want someone else to make the decisions for you.
Memorial Day weekend is better with Gulf Coast sunshine and a community that knows how to honor the day. Come spend it with us.
