Veterans Day 2026 Events: Parades, Ceremonies and 5Ks Near You

Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Here are the parades, ceremonies, runs and galas worth planning around, from Arlington to San Diego, all listed on the Frontline calendar with dates, locations and registration links.

Veterans Day honors everyone who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces, living or not. That makes it different from Memorial Day, which remembers those who died in service. Most cities mark it with a parade or a ceremony at 11 a.m., the hour the World War I armistice took effect in 1918. Many communities also hold runs, breakfasts and fundraisers the weekend before.

The national ceremony

The National Veterans Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery is the country’s official observance. It starts with the wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at 11 a.m., followed by a program in the Memorial Amphitheater. Arrive early. Security lines move slowly on November 11.

Veterans Day parades

• New York City Veterans Day Parade, the largest in the country, runs up Fifth Avenue.
• National Veterans Day Parade in Birmingham, AL, home of the first Veterans Day celebration in 1947.
• Houston Salutes American Heroes Veterans Day Parade in downtown Houston.
• San Diego Veterans Day Parade along Harbor Drive, in one of the most military-connected cities in America.
• Veterans Inc. Pancake Breakfast and Parade in Worcester, MA. A good pick for families.

Ceremonies

The Texas State Capitol Veterans Day Ceremony in Austin is one of the larger statehouse observances. Smaller towns hold their own at the local VFW or American Legion post. If yours isn’t listed yet, submit it and we’ll add it.

Runs and 5Ks

Want to show up and move? These are on the calendar for Veterans Day weekend:

• Oceana County Vet Day 5K in Shelby, MI, on Saturday, November 7.
• Run4Veterans 5K Walk/Run at Polar Park in Worcester, MA, on Sunday, November 8.

The Marine Corps Marathon lands two weeks earlier, on October 25, if you want a bigger goal.

Galas, balls and golf

November is also Marine Corps birthday season. The Corps turns 251 on November 10, and balls are held across the country that week.

• Folds of Honor Annual Gala, November 7, raising scholarships for families of the fallen and disabled.
• 251st Marine Corps Birthday Ball in Rochester, MN, November 7.
• 251st Marine Corps Ball in Ione, CA, November 10.
• Star Spangled Ball Casino Night, November 7.
• Veterans Cup San Jose Golf Tournament on Veterans Day itself.

Looking for work? Go the week before

Hiring events cluster around Veterans Day. The Hire Heroes USA National Career Expo is on November 5, and RecruitMilitary holds job fairs in Dallas and Los Angeles on November 19.

How to make the most of the day

• Check the time. Most ceremonies start at 11 a.m. local time. Parades often step off earlier.
• Bring someone who served. Many events have reserved seating or a marching unit for veterans. Call ahead.
• Look for free meals. Restaurants and local posts offer veterans free meals with proof of service. Bring your VA card, DD-214 or military ID.
• Give back after. Volunteering with a local veterans nonprofit keeps the day going past November 11.

See every listing on the veterans events calendar, or browse all upcoming events by date and state. Running a Veterans Day event? List it free.