It’s Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer. It’s a time not just for cookouts and shopping but for remembering those who gave their lives for their country.

The city will have two days of Memorial Day observances, with a ceremony and parade Sunday and a wreath-laying Monday. There’s also a concert by a Mexican guitarist, an outdoor Jewish dance party and a pickleball event with the Mormons. Talk about variety being the spice of life.

Here are seven things to do in Newton this weekend.

Friday, May 23

From 6 to 7:30 p.m., the Linda Plaut Festival of the Arts will celebrate Jewish Heritage Month with the 3rd annual Newton Highlands Klezmer Dance on the field in front of the Hyde Community Center Bandstand to the music of the Boston Festival of New Jewish Music All Stars. Admission is free.

Saturday, May 24

From 1 to 4:30 p.m., the Newton Free Library will host a Board Game Club. Participants can bring their own games or use the library’s. Admission is free.

From 3 to 4 p.m., Mexican guitarist Memo Rubio will perform a concert at the City Hall War Memorial Auditorium. Rubio has been playing guitar since age 6 and performing since age 17, and he is the founder and director of Memo Rubio Music School. Admission is free.

Sunday, May 25

At 9 a.m., the city will have its Memorial Day Wreath Laying at Forte Park, 235 California St.

At 3 p.m., the city will have its Memorial Day Parade, starting from Newton North High School at 457 Walnut Street and ending at Coletti-Magni Park in Nonantum.

Monday, May 26

At 10 a.m., the city will hold its Memorial Day Ceremony at Newton Cemetery.

From 10 a.m. to noon, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will host Memorial Day Pickleball at 70 Carlson Ave. Beginners are welcome, and the church has paddles to borrow if needed. There will be one indoor court and up to four outdoor courts available, depending on weather and number of RSVPs.

You can find more events or submit your own on our Events Page.

And the city has an ongoing list of arts-related events on the Newton Arts Calendar.