Below is my list of 15 Veterans Day events in D.C. that pay tribute to the brave individuals who have selflessly served our country. Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11th, will fall on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. This day holds special significance for my family, as both my father and grandfather served in the military. I love that the D.C. and Northern Virginia area, rich in history, is home to so many veterans and offers numerous opportunities to honor their contributions.
Veterans Day DC & Virginia Table of Contents
Washington DC Veterans Day Events
Veterans Day Parade - One of the Biggest DC Events
About: The parade will include Veterans Organizations, Floats, Specialty Vehicles, and Marching Bands to celebrate and honor our Nation’s Veteran Community.
Date: TBC but will probably be on Sunday, November 9, 2025 as it was on the Sunday before Veterans Day in 2024.
Time: Starts at 12 PM Noon
Location: Constitution Ave. Washington, DC. The parade starts at the National Archives.
Website for more information.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ceremony
About: The annual Veterans Day at The Wall ceremony we will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the commemoration of the anniversary of the “Three Servicemen” statue.
Date: TBC but last year was November 11, 2024 at 1 PM.
Location: Memorial Park at 5 Henry Bacon Dr NW, Washington, DC 20002, United States.
More info details here and on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with Kids.
Veterans Day Observance at the World War II Memorial
About: As part of the commemoration, WWII veterans will place wreaths at the Memorial's Freedom Wall to remember their fallen brothers and sisters. To attend in-person, please register below. If you are unable to attend in-person, you may watch the ceremony Live on Friends' Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WWIIMemorialFriends
Date: Last year was Monday, November 11, 2024.
Time: 9 a.m. ET.
Location: More info about World War II Memorial here and more details here.
Veterans Day Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Navy Memorial
About: Each year, the Navy Memorial hosts a Wreath-Laying Ceremony on Veterans Day to honor our nation's Sailors and show appreciation for their service and sacrifice.
Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
Time: 12:30 PM
Location: Navy Memorial Plaza (Outdoors) 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
More info about the Navy Memorial.
U.S. Navy Band Veterans Day Concert at the MLK Jr. Library
About: "In association with the D.C. mayor’s office and D.C. Public Library, the National Museum of the United States Navy invites you to enjoy a free day of music featuring the United States Navy Band’s dynamic popular music group, Cruisers, and the Concert Band’s 12-member brass ensemble."
Date: TBC last year was on Veterans Day.
Time: 1 - 4 PM
Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
Smithsonian’s American Indian Museum Honoring Native Veterans
About: Join the National Museum of the American Indian in honoring the enduring and distinguished service of Native Americans in every branch of the US military. Keynote speaker and author Teresa Lynch-Chrapkiewicz (Navajo) is an Air Force veteran and the first Navajo woman to receive a commercial pilot license. She was recently awarded the Hometown Hero award by Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina. Teresa will read from and sign copies of her children’s book, The Yaz Tree Recipe: A Navajo Girl’s Dream.
Date: Monday, November 11, 2024.
Time: 10 AM – 5 PM EST and you can watch online too!
Location: American Indian Museum DC, Level 1: Potomac Atrium, Rasmuson Theater; Level 2; Outdoors.
More info about the museum here and the event here.
Northern Virginia Veterans Day Events
Arlington National Cemetery Veterans Day Observance
Date: Monday, November 11, 2024
Time: 11:11 AM
Location: The wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns and continues inside the Memorial Amphitheater with a parade of colors by Veterans’ organizations and remarks from dignitaries.
More info about the Cemetery here and the event here.
Mount Vernon Free Admission
About: "In honor of our nation's veterans, Mount Vernon admits FREE all active duty, former, or retired military personnel on Veterans Day.
Military service members may pick up their free tickets upon arrival. Free tickets do not extend to service members' family members or guests."
Date: Monday, November 11, 2024.
Time: All day
Location: More info about Mount Vernon here and the event here.
Women’s Memorial Veterans Day Observance
Mark your calendar to join us on November 11 for the Military Women’s Memorial 27th Annual Veterans Day Program. This observance is one of the major events in the National Capital Region.
Free and open to the public, the event includes formal military honors, remarks from current and former servicewomen from each of the military services, and a keynote address.
Date: Monday, November 11, 2024.
Time: 3 - 5 PM
Location: Military Women’s Memorial Memorial Ave & Schley Dr, Arlington, VA 22202
More information here.
Manassas Veterans Day Parade
Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024.
2024 marks the 16th annual Northern Virginia Veterans Parade honoring all service members past, present, and future, along with our heroic First Responders. The route will follow Center Street and pass the reviewing stand at Harris Pavilion in Historic Downtown Manassas.
Time: 11 AM
Location: Downtown Manassas
Website event.
U.S. Army Museum Veterans Day Observance
Date: Monday, November 11, 2024.
Schedule for 2023, 2024 has not been announced yet:
Family Craft Activity: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m
Create your own greeting card and write a special message to a veteran.
Tiny Troops Story Time: 10 – 10:30 a.m.
Share in a read-aloud story time about military veterans in your communities, followed by a special activity. Best for children 3-6 years old.
Hands-on History: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 3 p.m.
Join a Museum educator to learn more about a Soldier’s life on and off the battlefield by exploring the food, clothing and equipment that made up a Soldier’s load.
Living History: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.*
Historical interpreters share Soldier stories and invite visitors to take a closer look at uniforms, equipment and weapons from the American Revolution through World War II.
Veterans Resources: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. **
Representatives share information about resources available to support veterans and their families.
Volunteer Showcase: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. **
Museum volunteers share personal artifacts and stories from their military service.
Documentary Screening – “American Veteran”: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. **
This PBS documentary illuminates the veteran experience “with a stunning range of voices from today and across the arc of American history.” The four-part series will run continuously, and visitors are invited to drop in at their leisure. Watch a trailer here.
History Hunt: All Day
Have fun exploring the Museum through a new digital scavenger hunt. Prefer “old-school” pencil and paper? We have that too! Finish the hunt and receive a completion award.
Path of Remembrance Flag Display: All Day
Follow a special outdoor flag display along the Path of Remembrance and Warriors’ Plaza.
Location: US Army Museum, 1775 Liberty Drive Fort Belvoir, VA 22060 (GPS Not Reliable - See Driving Directions)
More info about the US Army Museum here and the event here.
Air Force Memorial Veterans Day Ceremony
Date: Monday, November 11, 2024.
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: United States Air Force Memorial One Air Force Memorial DriveArlington, VA 22204
Website for the event.
City of Falls Church Veterans Day Ceremony
Date: November 11 at 11 a.m., Every Year
Location: Falls Church Veterans Memorial at 223 Little Falls St.
Falls Church, VA 22046
Great Falls Park Free Admission on Veterans Day
Date: Monday, November 11, 2024.
Time: All Day
Location: Great Falls Virginia Park
Website here.
Full List of Veterans Day DC Events
- Veterans Day Parade
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ceremony
- World War II Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony
- Veterans Day Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Navy Memorial
- United States Navy Band Concert at MLK Library
- Smithsonian’s American Indian Museum Honoring Native Veterans
- Arlington National Cemetery Veterans Day Observance
- Mount Vernon Free Admission
- Women’s Memorial Veterans Day Observance
- Manassas Veterans Day Parade
- U.S. Army Museum Observance
- Air Force Memorial Veterans Day Ceremony
- City of Falls Church Veterans Day Ceremony
- Great Falls Park Free Admission
Also, a great time to check out this post for the 10 Best Apple Picking Orchards in Virginia!
