Veterans Day is on Wednesday, November 11 — and beyond the free meals, the day brings free entry to every national park in the country, and a change at Arlington National Cemetery that visitors should know about. Entry to all national parks is free for everyone on November 11, as one of the National Park Service’s fee-free days. Veterans and Gold Star families hold free Military Lifetime Passes year-round, but on Wednesday the gates are open to all — no pass, no ticket, no military ID needed. At Arlington National Cemetery, the 73rd annual National Veterans Day Observance begins at 11 a.m. in the Memorial Amphitheater, with a prelude at 10:30 a.m. from the US Coast Guard Band and the US Air Force Singing Sergeants, and a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The change this year: attendance at the wreath-laying itself is limited to official participants only. The observance is still free and open to the public, with first-come seating, and a tram is required from the Welcome Center. The ceremony is livestreamed on DVIDS for anyone who cannot attend.
Parades across the country
New York City’s Veterans Day Parade — billed as the nation’s largest, with about 20,000 marchers — runs on Wednesday from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. along Fifth Avenue, organised by the United War Veterans Council, with step-off near 26th Street. The free meals are the other half of the day. The Department of Veterans Affairs list, recreated and verified on October 22 and updated continuously through November 11, confirms 51 offers as of November 8, with 29 restaurants confirmed on their own sites or the VA list. Applebee’s offers a free entrée from a seven-item menu plus a $5 Bounce Back Card valid through November 29. Denny’s offers a free Original Grand Slam breakfast from 5 a.m. to noon, dine-in only, with a military ID or DD-214 required. California Pizza Kitchen offers a free entrée and beverage from a special menu, plus a buy-one-get-one-free return-visit card valid from November 12 to 25.
Check before you travel
Most offers require proof of military service, are dine-in only, and apply at participating locations only — so veterans should confirm with their local restaurant before making a special trip. Two offers carry a caveat: Buffalo Wild Wings’ 10 free boneless wings and fries, and Dunkin’s free donut, are reported for 2026 but direct company confirmation is still pending, according to the Veterans Day guide. Some chains from 2025 — including Texas Roadhouse meal vouchers, Olive Garden, Cracker Barrel, Krispy Kreme and Shake Shack — have not been confirmed for 2026 as of November 8. With 51 offers confirmed and the parks free for all, Veterans Day 2026 is one of the biggest years yet for the tradition — and the Arlington change is the one detail first-time visitors should know before they go.
