Veterans Day falls on a Wednesday this year, so several cities are holding their parades the weekend before. This guide covers events, parades and deals city by city.
Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11. With the holiday landing midweek, Indiana's observances are spread across a week and a half. Fort Wayne's parade is this Saturday, Nov. 7. Evansville's is the following Saturday, Nov. 14. The ceremonies in Indianapolis, Fishers, West Lafayette and Bloomington are on Wednesday itself.
We've organized everything by the cities our newsletters cover, plus the statewide offers that apply no matter where you live. Times and details change, especially around weather, so check the organizer's page before you head out. We've linked or named each one.
Statewide
Free South Shore Line rides, Nov. 7 to 11. The South Shore Line is offering free rides to veterans and active-duty service members from Nov. 7 through Nov. 11. No ID is required. Tell the train staff when they come through the car. Up to three children 13 and under ride free with each service member on off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains. On Nov. 11, trains run the regular weekday schedule. Details are at mysouthshoreline.com.
Indiana state parks are free on Nov. 11. Veterans and active-duty military, and everyone in their vehicle, get in free at DNR-managed state parks, reservoir properties, state forest recreation areas and off-road recreation areas. Tell the gate attendant at the property you visit.
Indianapolis
Veterans Day Service at the Indiana War Memorial, Wednesday, Nov. 11. The Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis holds the city's main service on the north steps of the Indiana War Memorial, 431 N. Meridian St. In recent years it has started at 11 a.m. with guest speakers, a wreath laying, a flyover (weather permitting) and the tolling of the USS Indianapolis ship's bell. We couldn't find the 2026 speaker or program when we published, so check with the Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis before you go.
Veterans Day Parade. In recent years, the parade has stepped off at noon from Michigan and Pennsylvania streets and circled the American Legion Mall. We couldn't confirm a 2026 parade. Last year's was canceled and the service moved indoors to the War Memorial Auditorium because of below-freezing temperatures and ice. If the forecast turns, check the council's Facebook page that morning.
Parking near the War Memorial is usually very limited on Veterans Day, so plan to walk a few blocks or take transit.
Civil War Tour at Crown Hill Cemetery, Saturday, Nov. 7, 1 to 3 p.m. Crown Hill Heritage Foundation runs a guided Civil War tour the Saturday before Veterans Day. The cemetery was founded in 1863, during the war. Tickets are $15 for ages 5 and up, and the tour is capped at 35 people. Tickets are sold online only, with no gate sales. The tour meets inside the 34th Street gate.
Fort Wayne
Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony, Saturday, Nov. 7, 11 a.m. The parade heads north on Parnell Avenue to the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. The ceremony follows in Memorial Hall at about 12:30 p.m.
Veterans Tribute Concert, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2 p.m. The Fort Wayne Philharmonic Brass Quintet performs at Pearl Street Arts Center.
Veterans Day at The Fairfield, Wednesday, Nov. 11. An indoor golf tournament, a ruck run, and dining with live music, benefiting VETSports Inc. and FW22.
Anytime this week:
- The Veterans National Memorial Shrine & Museum has a 360-foot replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Check honoringforever.org for hours.
- The Fort Wayne Museum of Art offers free admission to military personnel, veterans and their families, Tuesday through Sunday, all year.
- The Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library can help you trace relatives who served.
Local deals: The Fort Wayne Visitors Center, 927 S. Harrison St., offers a standing 20% military discount (code SERVICE) and an extra 10% off Veterans Day items on Nov. 11. Eggster is taking 10% off for veterans and active-duty military through Sunday, Nov. 15. Visit Fort Wayne has the full list.
South Bend
Military Honor Park and Museum, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free for veterans (regular admission is $5). It's at South Bend International Airport. Use the main entrance.
Michiana Concert Band, Nov. 11, 11 a.m. A Veterans Day concert at VFW Post 360, 1307 E. Jefferson Blvd., in Mishawaka. Veterans and their families are invited to a light meal afterward.
Local deals: Hacienda Mexican Restaurants are offering veterans and active-duty military one free large wet burrito, dine-in or carryout, on Nov. 11. Bring proof of service. Wings Etc. is giving a free entrée, up to $13.99, at participating locations, including both South Bend restaurants and Mishawaka.
Notre Dame plays Miami on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m., so expect a crowded weekend in town. Our Notre Dame vs. Miami weekend guide has the traffic and parking details.
Fishers
Fishers Veterans Day Ceremony, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m. The City of Fishers and the Fishers Armed Services Commission host the annual ceremony in the Theater at Fishers Municipal Center, 1 Municipal Drive. It's free and open to the public, and the city will livestream it on its YouTube channel. Registration was required in 2024 because of limited seating. The city hasn't said whether it's required this year, so check FishersIN.gov before you go.
While you're downtown, walk the Central Green and the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater. The light pole banners there honor local veterans and active-duty service members.
Noblesville and Hamilton County
Civil War Veterans Walking Tour, Crownland Cemetery, Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. Local author Kevin Yaney leads a free walking tour of Crownland Cemetery, 1776 Monument St., in Noblesville. Crownland is the resting place of 292 Civil War veterans. Its Hamilton County Civil War monument lists the names of 2,400 local men who enlisted. Register at yaney.net/history-tours.
Westfield Veterans Day Ceremony, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 8:30 a.m. The City of Westfield holds its ceremony at the IMMI Conference Center. Coffee and breakfast start at 7:30 a.m. The program includes remarks, live performances and tributes. Details are on the city's Veterans Day page.
Lafayette and West Lafayette
Purdue Veterans Day Ceremony, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m. to noon. It's in the Great Hall of the Purdue Memorial Union, 101 N. Grant St., and Purdue says the campus community is invited. The ceremony includes commemorative speeches, special presentations and a performance by the Purduettes. Past ceremonies have also included a moment of remembrance and Taps.
Field of Flags, Nov. 9 to 13. Boilermaker veterans, current service members and military-connected families can plant a flag in Purdue's annual display on the Memorial Union lawn. Pick up a flag at the Dorothy Stratton Veteran and Military Success Center in PMU room 284.
Bloomington
IU flag-raising ceremony, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 7:30 a.m. Indiana University's annual flag raising is at the Sample Gates. Col. Ryan Harvey, an IU alumnus and commander of the Indiana National Guard's 181st Intelligence Wing, is the keynote speaker. A breakfast social follows at the Center for Veteran and Military Students, at Woodlawn Avenue and 11th Street. Registration is requested.
Evansville
Evansville runs on Central time, an hour behind most of the state. The times below are local.
National Veterans Day Regional Site Service, Oak Hill Cemetery, Nov. 11. For 2026, the VA and the Veterans Day National Committee chose Oak Hill Cemetery & Arboretum as an official regional site, one of 48 in 24 states and one of four in Indiana. The service is held at the cemetery's Veterans Plaza, 1499 E. Columbia St. We couldn't find a 2026 start time. In past years it has run at 1 p.m. and moved into Chapel One when it rained, so confirm with the cemetery before you go.
Traveling City Hall at VFW Post 1114, Nov. 11, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Mayor Stephanie Terry's last Traveling City Hall of the year is on Veterans Day at the VFW, 110 N. Wabash Ave. Representatives from the VA Clinic and VFW Post 1114 will be there alongside city department heads.
Four Freedoms Veterans Parade, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2 p.m. Evansville's parade is held the second Saturday of November on West Franklin Street.
National chains with Indiana locations
These are the 2026 offers we could find. Outback announced its own. The others come from dated 2026 coverage, and we found no company announcement yet for IHOP or Buffalo Wild Wings. Participation varies by location, so call ahead. Bring proof of service, such as a military or VA ID or your DD-214.
- Outback Steakhouse: A free Bloomin' Onion and a drink for active-duty personnel and veterans, Nov. 10 and 11, dine-in or phone-in To-Go
- Golden Corral: A free buffet and drink, Nov. 11 from 4 p.m. to close, dine-in only
- IHOP: A free Red, White & Blueberry Pancake Combo for veterans, dine-in, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 11, at participating locations
- Buffalo Wild Wings: 10 free boneless wings and fries for veterans and active-duty members, dine-in, Nov. 11, at participating locations
- Great Clips: A free haircut on Nov. 11, or a card for a free haircut on a later visit
- Kohl's: 30% off for active-duty military, veterans, retirees and their immediate families, in store, Nov. 10 and 11
Military.com keeps a running national list of confirmed offers if you want more.
A few things worth knowing
- Dress for the weather. Some ceremonies and parades are outdoors, and November weather can force last-minute changes, as Indianapolis learned last year.
- Bring the veteran in your life. Most events in this guide are public. The Crownland tour and the IU breakfast ask you to register first. Many of them are as much for families as for veterans.
- Get there early for the indoor ceremonies. Fishers and Purdue are indoors, and seating can run out.
How we reported this
We built this guide from organizers' own pages and announcements, checked Nov. 3, 2026: the South Shore Line, Crown Hill Heritage Foundation, Visit Fort Wayne, the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, the City of Westfield, Purdue University, Indiana University, the VA, the Four Freedoms Veterans Parade and Outback Steakhouse. We also used reporting from the South Bend Tribune, the Hamilton County Reporter, WISH-TV, WRTV, WEHT, WFIE and Military.com. Where an organizer hadn't confirmed a 2026 detail, we've said so. We'll update this page as they do, with the update noted at the top.
Get your city's events before the weekend. Sign up for your local Get Indiana newsletter.
