Veterans Day 2025: Parade Routes, Free Deals, and Meaningful Ways to Honor U.S. Heroes

Veterans Day 2025 falls on Tuesday, November 11, and millions of Americans are already planning ceremonies, parades, classroom lessons, and retail promotions to honor the nation’s 18 million living veterans. Below is everything readers are searching for right now—date confirmations, historical background, event listings, store hours, and the ever-popular “free meals for veterans” guide—compiled into one easy reference to maximize both convenience and respect. Why Veterans Day Is Celebrated on November 11 Veterans Day traces its roots to the armistice that ended World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. In 1954, Congress renamed Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans, not just those who fought in World War I. Because it is a federal holiday, the date remains fixed each year even when it falls midweek, as it does in 2025. Is Veterans Day 2025 a Federal Holiday? Yes. All non-essential federal government offices, courts, and most banks will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. U.S. Postal Service branches suspend counter service and do not deliver regular mail, although Priority Express Mail continues. Public schools and state offices follow local calendars, so check district websites for individual closings. What's Open and Closed • Grocery stores: Major chains—Walmart, Target, Kroger, Safeway—operate on normal Tuesday hours. • Retail malls: Open, with many offering military discounts (ID required). • Stock market: NYSE and NASDAQ remain open. • National Parks: Entrance fees are waived for everyone on November 11, making it one of the six free-admission days in 2025. Parades and Ceremonies • National Ceremony, Arlington National Cemetery – Begins 11:00 a.m. EST at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, live-streamed on the VA’s official YouTube channel. • New York City Veterans Day Parade – Fifth Avenue from 26th to 47th Streets, starting 12:30 p.m. EST; draws 25,000+ marchers and 400+ military vehicles. • Regional Events – Chicago (State Street), Houston (Downtown near City Hall), Los Angeles (Hollywood Boulevard), and dozens of smaller city parades. Search “[city] veterans day 2025 parade” for exact routes and times. Free Meals & Military Discounts Restaurants confirm deals closer to November, but recurring offers expected in 2025 include: • Applebee’s – Select free entrée from special Veterans Day menu. • Starbucks – Free 12-oz hot brewed coffee for veterans, active duty, and spouses. • Texas Roadhouse – Meal voucher handed out 11 a.m.–2 p.m. for future dine-in. • Great Clips – Free haircut card redeemable through December 11, 2025. Always bring proof of service (military ID, VA card, DD-214). How Schools and Workplaces Can Observe • Host a veteran speaker: Local VA hospitals and VFW posts maintain volunteer lists. • Create “Wall of Honor” displays with photos and stories of family members who served. • Incorporate the Library of Congress Veterans History Project into classroom assignments, encouraging students to record oral histories. Travel Tips for a Midweek Holiday Because Veterans Day 2025 lands on a Tuesday, extended four-day weekends are popular. Expect increased airport traffic Friday evening (Nov 7) and Tuesday night (Nov 11). Airlines frequently release “Thank You Veterans” promo codes in mid-October; set fare alerts now. Meaningful Ways to Say Thank You 1. Send a care package through Operation Gratitude. 2. Volunteer at a local VA medical center. 3. Donate frequent-flyer miles via the Hero Miles Program to reunite service members with family. 4. Write a handwritten note; schoolchildren can participate through A Million Thanks. Quick Facts to Share • Population: Roughly 6.4 million U.S. veterans are Vietnam-era, 4.1 million served after 9/11. • Women Veterans: Over two million; fastest-growing demographic in the VA system. • Flag Etiquette: Fly the American flag briskly up, lower slowly; illuminate if displayed at night. Looking Ahead Mark calendars for the 2025 National Veterans Day Poster Contest deadline (April 5, 2025) and keep an eye on the Department of Veterans Affairs website for the official 2025 theme announcement expected in early summer. Planning early ensures communities can secure parade permits, reserve public spaces, and amplify appreciation for those who served. Bottom line: whether you’re searching for “Veterans Day 2025 date,” “what’s closed on Veterans Day,” or “free meals for veterans,” use this guide to honor service members with informed respect and genuine gratitude.