Arlington National Cemetery Flags In

Each year, Arlington National Cemetery opens Memorial Day weekend with Flags In, when active duty service members from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard, place a small American flag at the base of every headstone. As you walk the rolling grounds in Arlington, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., the rows of flags change the look of the cemetery into a sweeping display of red, white, and blue.

You can expect a quiet, respectful atmosphere as the soldiers work with steady precision across more than 260,000 gravesites. It is especially meaningful if you arrive before the larger holiday crowds, giving you space to pause, reflect, and observe. Notable stops such as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the grave of President John F. Kennedy each receive their own flag, making your route through the cemetery both personal and historically grounded.

Plan to arrive by 8:00 AM to catch the start and to walk in cooler conditions. Entry is free, but you will go through security at the Welcome Center, and you should wear comfortable shoes and carry water since the cemetery covers 639 acres with noticeable elevation changes. Parking is available for a fee, though the Blue Line to Arlington Cemetery station is often faster, and the ANC Explorer app helps you locate specific memorials and gravesites. Pets are not permitted, with the exception of service animals.

The flags remain in place through Memorial Day Monday. The cemetery stays open in rainy weather, although flag placement may pause if lightning is present. This ceremony is a military honor reserved for service members, but you are welcome to visit and observe. For convenient access to the cemetery and the National Mall, you can stay in Rosslyn or Pentagon City, or choose a quieter base in Alexandria and explore broader Virginia lodging options through Lake.com.