The 2026 National Memorial Day Concert on PBS

On Sunday, May 24, the National Memorial Day Concert airs live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, hosted by Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna and Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise—both longtime champions of Veterans and service members. 

The beloved annual evening of remembrance will honor 250 years of the courage and sacrifice of our military men and women, their families, and pay tribute to all who have given their lives in service to our nation, with musical salutes and powerful stories of patriots who have defended our nation since 1776.

The 37th annual broadcast of the National Memorial Day Concert airs live on Sunday, May 24, 2026, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. E.T. on PBS, and is seen by our service members around the world on American Forces Network. The concert will also be streaming on YouTube and www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert and available as Video on Demand, May 24 to June 7, 2026.

The 2026 National Memorial Day Concert will feature the following segments:

• 1776 American Revolution, with acclaimed Emmy® and Golden Globe Award-winning actor/director/producer/writer Noah Wyle (The Pitt). The concert will bring the history of 1776 alive with a special tribute to the citizen soldiers and militia men of the thirteen colonies who took tremendous risks for future generations of Americans. These heroes embarked on a war with the world’s greatest military power to win our independence, enduring brutal conditions and often with no pay. The experience of one of these brave American Revolutionary militiamen who fought for General George Washington will be shared.
• World War II 85th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, featuring renowned Emmy®-nominated actor Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, The Beast in Me). The surprise attack on the U.S. military base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, plunged our nation into World War II. More than 2,400 American service members and civilians were killed and over 1,000 wounded on Dec. 7, 1941, the day President Roosevelt declared would “live in infamy.” The 85th anniversary tribute will highlight this monumental time in American history, which galvanized the entire nation, and honor the millions of men and women who left their farms and factories, big cities and small towns to serve in uniform and on the home front. Members of this Greatest Generation will be saluted on stage.
• 25th Anniversary Remembrance of 9/11 Attacks, with Academy Award®-winning actress Melissa Leo (King Ivory, Frozen River). The shocking events of that day in New York City, over the skies of Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon will be remembered, honoring the commitment Americans made to each other to prevail over an attack on the United States of America. This commemoration will share the story of one of the heroes who faced the unthinkable in the rescue and recovery efforts at the Pentagon, and pay tribute to all those who died that tragic day.

The inspiring night of remembrance will also feature performances by:

• Four-time Grammy-nominated country music star Mickey Guyton;
• Ten-time Grammy-nominated country music singer-songwriter Jamey Johnson, who served eight years in the Marine Corps Reserve;
• Award-winning, multi-platinum selling Country Music Hall of Fame member Alan Jackson from the famed Ryman Auditorium in Nashville;
• Two-time Tony Award-nominated Broadway and television star Laura Osnes;
• Emmy® Award-winning, multi-platinum singer, songwriter Andy Grammer;
• Tony Award-nominated star of stage and screen Mary McCormack (The Pitt, Heels)
• Two-time Grammy-nominated and two-time DOVE Award-winning  singer-songwriter Blessing Offor;
• The National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly, who is celebrating his 17th season with the concert.