Veterans Day falls on Wednesday 11 November 2026, honouring all who have served in the US armed forces. Across the country, restaurants are serving free meals, stores are offering discounts, and cities are holding parades — while stock markets stay open today and bond markets are closed.
Free meals for veterans
Applebee’s is offering a free dine-in entrée from a special Veterans Day menu with seven choices, including 6 oz Top Sirloin, Classic Bacon Cheeseburger and Chicken Tenders Platter, for veterans and active-duty military. Golden Corral is hosting its Military Appreciation Night from 4 p.m. to close, with a free “thank you” meal. Most offers require proof of service.
Discounts and deals
Kohl’s is offering 30% off in-store for military members, veterans and their families on 11 November with valid ID, with some exclusions applying.
Parades and tributes
Birmingham, Alabama hosts the 79th National Veterans Day Parade from 1 to 4:30 p.m., with free admission, themed “Salute to the First 250 Years of Veterans” as America marks the 250th anniversary of its founding.
At Daytona International Speedway in Florida, radio host Bobby Bones hosts the inaugural Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic — a military tribute race and concert featuring a Zac Brown Band performance, live from 8 to 10 p.m. ET on USA Network, Fandango and TikTok Live. Veterans get 20% off tickets.
CNN’s Jake Tapper and actor George Clooney are hosting the 10th Annual Veterans Day Celebrity Auction to benefit severely injured post-9/11 veterans; the online auction closes on 20 November at 4 p.m. PST.
In Brooklyn, cast members of NCIS: New York hand out free pizza slices at Prince St. Pizza from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the chain is donating 10% of in-store sales at participating locations to the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces.
A reunion a month in the making
The day also brings a feel-good story from Long Island. Vietnam veteran John Christina of Southold, New York, reunited on 5 November at Costco with Erin Reiser of Sag Harbor — the mystery woman who gave him and another veteran $50 Costco gift cards on 6 October after overhearing their conversation. Reiser, whose grandfathers both served in the Korean War, stepped forward after Christina spent a month trying to thank her.
Canada also marked its own day of remembrance today — just two days after Carey Price and Patrice Bergeron were inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame — while Godzilla Minus Zero continued its record-breaking run at the box office.
Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.