Hampton Roads has one of the largest military and veteran communities in the country, and Veterans Day is the week it really shows. Here is where to be on Wednesday, November 11, plus a few free-admission offers worth planning around. Everything below is also tracked on the Events Hub.
Virginia Beach: Parade at the Oceanfront
The Tidewater Veterans Day Parade steps off at 9:00 AM at 16th Street and Atlantic Avenue and ends at the Tidewater Veterans Memorial, across from the Convention Center at 1000 19th St. A ceremony follows (the city lists it at 11:00 AM), and it is free and open to the public. According to 97.3 The Eagle, the parade includes a flyover by the Military Aviation Museum. The city also lists a veterans luncheon at the DoubleTree afterward; tickets are $35 and are sold through the contact on the city's page.
Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake and Suffolk
- Norfolk: City ceremony at 2:00 PM in the MacArthur Memorial Rotunda, with a keynote from Lt. Gen. Calvert L. Worth Jr. The Virginia Zoo is also offering veterans free Zoo Express train rides on November 11 only.
- Portsmouth: City ceremony at 11:00 AM at High Street Landing.
- Chesapeake: The Mayor's Commission on Veteran's Affairs hosts the annual ceremony. It moves to City Hall Council Chambers if the weather is bad. Confirm the exact time with the city.
- Suffolk: Its first Veterans Day observance is Monday, November 9, 10:00 to 11:00 AM at City Council Chambers, 442 W. Washington St., two days early, so mark your calendar.
The Peninsula and Williamsburg
Hampton's parade runs from downtown Phoebus onto Fort Monroe, with a ceremony at 11:00 AM at Continental Park and an afternoon celebration of exhibits, food trucks and living history. Check the city's page for the parade time.
Free-admission offers, per the 97.3 report: Colonial Williamsburg is free November 6 through 11 for active duty, retirees, veterans, Guard and Reserve, and dependents with ID. The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown and Jamestown Settlement are free on November 11 for military, veterans and up to three direct family members. The Virginia Living Museum in Newport News takes $5 off tickets (up to four guests) with a military ID on November 11. The Virginia War Museum is also collecting veterans' names and stories on flags all month.
Free Meals: Call First
Many national chains run free veterans meals each year. The VA's 2026 list includes Applebee's, Chili's, Golden Corral and Red Lobster, mostly dine-in with proof of service. The VA itself notes offers vary by location, so call your local restaurant before you go.
If You Are Moving Here
If you are PCSing in or thinking about settling down after service, nothing beats seeing how this community shows up on a day like this. The Military & PCS Hub covers VA loans, BAH and base-by-base commute notes, and the city guides help you compare the cities above.
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Related Guides
Sources: 97.3 The Eagle, “Parades, Freebies and Discounts: See Veterans Day Celebrations Across Coastal Virginia” (Nov. 3, 2026); City of Virginia Beach; City of Hampton; VA News, “2026 Veterans Day discounts, free meals and other retail offers.” Confirm details with each host.