Yes, major veterans day parade events are taking place across the United States on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. The largest and most prominent is in New York City, while communities from Maryland to Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Florida are hosting their own long-running traditions to honor those who served.
Veterans Day is observed every year on November 11, marking the anniversary of the 1918 armistice that ended World War I. In 2026 it falls on a Wednesday and coincides with the nation’s 250th anniversary, giving many parades added significance. Most events are free and open to the public, though road closures, limited parking, and large crowds are common. Always check local updates the morning of the event for weather-related changes.
Is There a Veterans Day Parade in NYC?
Yes. New York City hosts the nation’s largest Veterans Day Parade, the 107th edition organized by the United War Veterans Council. It steps off at 12:30 p.m. from Fifth Avenue at 26th Street and marches north toward 45th–48th Street. A wreath-laying ceremony begins earlier at 10:55 a.m. in Madison Square Park.
Grand Marshal is NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Captain Suni Williams. Honorary Marshal is Navy veteran Vicki Bello. Organizers expect more than 280 marching units, thousands of veterans and service members, floats, marching bands, and vintage vehicles. The parade runs rain or shine and typically lasts until around 3:30 p.m. For official details, visit the United War Veterans Council parade page.
Street closures affect Midtown and the Flatiron area, so plan transit or arrive early if attending in person. ABC7 New York provides live coverage.
Leonardtown Veterans Day Parade
Southern Maryland’s Leonardtown marks its 51st annual Veterans Day Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony. The parade steps off at 10 a.m. from St. Mary’s Ryken High School and proceeds through downtown to Town Square, where the memorial ceremony follows immediately.
Washington and Fenwick streets into downtown close from 8 a.m. to noon. Free spectator shuttles run from the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds, the Governmental Center, and College of Southern Maryland lots. Accessible parking is available near the Hair Company and Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home. In case of bad weather, the parade is canceled and the ceremony moves indoors to Leonardtown Town Hall; the decision is made by 8 a.m. Full details and updates are posted at Visit Leonardtown’s Veterans Parade page.
Nashville Veterans Day Parade
Downtown Nashville’s parade runs along Broadway, traditionally stepping off around 11 a.m. (with lead units often at 11:11 a.m. in tribute to the original armistice hour). The route travels from roughly 13th Avenue South toward the riverfront near 1st Avenue. It is free and draws large crowds of spectators.
After the parade, a free Community Veterans Day event with live music, military displays, and activities takes place at Ascend Amphitheater beginning around 12:30 p.m. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum also offers free admission for active-duty and retired service members plus up to three family members on November 11. Expect Broadway to be closed to regular traffic during the parade.
Columbia Veterans Day Parade
Columbia, South Carolina, holds its 48th annual Veterans Day Parade, regarded as one of the largest in the Southeast. It begins around 11 a.m. (with some schedules listing a 10:40 a.m. start) at the intersection of Sumter Street and Laurel Street and proceeds along Sumter Street. Officials expect more than 60 units, including military vehicles and first responders.
Road closures on Sumter Street and nearby streets begin as early as 7 a.m. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and line Sumter Street between Laurel and Gervais streets. The parade is expected to conclude around 1 p.m., after which cleanup begins and roads reopen. The event has longstanding ties to nearby Fort Jackson.
Veterans Day Parade Birmingham AL / Birmingham Veterans Day Parade
Birmingham hosts the 79th National Veterans Day Parade, recognized as the oldest continuous Veterans Day parade in the nation. Birmingham veteran Raymond Weeks organized the first such observance in 1947, helping establish the national holiday. This year’s theme is “Salute to the First 250 Years of Veterans.”
The parade runs 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., rain or shine, starting at 18th Street North and 9th Avenue North and looping through downtown past City Hall. It features military units, marching bands, JROTC groups, color guards, and historical floats. Alabama Public Television carries live coverage. Details are available at the National Veterans Day Foundation parade page.
Sarasota Veterans Day Parade
Sarasota’s annual parade begins at 10 a.m. at Main Street and Orange Avenue and concludes at approximately 11 a.m. with a ceremony at Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park. Retired four-star Army General William “Scott” Wallace is the featured speaker. Participants include local high school marching bands, law enforcement, first responders, color guards, and veterans’ groups.
Main Street closes from Links Avenue to Bayfront Drive and Osprey Avenue closes from Ringling Boulevard to Second Street beginning at 3 a.m. Vehicles left in tow zones are towed at the owner’s expense. City offices are closed for the holiday, but garbage collection continues on its regular schedule. Official information is on the City of Sarasota Veterans Day Parade page.
Practical Tips for Attending a Veterans Day Parade
- Arrive early for the best viewing spots; many routes fill quickly.
- Check local road-closure maps and transit options the morning of the event.
- Most parades are free, family-friendly, and rain-or-shine unless organizers announce otherwise.
- Respect formation areas and follow directions from law enforcement and volunteers.
- Many cities also offer free admission or special programs at museums, zoos, and VA facilities for veterans and their families.
These veterans day parade events give communities a visible way to thank service members and their families. Whether you line Fifth Avenue in New York, Broadway in Nashville, or a hometown main street, the message remains the same: gratitude for those who served.
Which local parade are you attending today, or which one means the most to your family? Share your plans or memories in the comments and help others find the best ways to honor veterans.