Texas has over 250,000 veterans — the largest veteran population in the nation. This November, communities from El Paso to Houston honor our military heroes and their families with parades, ceremonies, and celebrations you won’t want to miss.
Veterans Day Parades Fill Texas Streets
November 11 marks Veterans Day, but the celebrations kick off early across the Lone Star State.
Houston throws one of Texas’s biggest shows on November 11. The ceremony starts at 10 a.m. downtown with a keynote speaker honoring local heroes. At exactly 11 a.m., the whole city pauses for a moment of silence. Then at 11:30 a.m., the American Heroes Parade kicks off, rolling through downtown streets.
San Antonio gets the party started early. On Saturday, November 8, veterans, active-duty military, families, and patriotic citizens gather for a moving celebration featuring colorful floats, marching bands, military units, and community organizations.
Austin brings the celebration straight to the Capitol. The parade runs from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., marching down Congress Avenue before a commemoration program honoring fallen soldiers.
Head to Round Rock for something different. Old Settlers Park hosts a formal ceremony at 11 a.m. with refreshments and live music by Austin-based singer Michaela Watson. Over in Leander, Veterans Park holds a ceremony at 10 a.m. featuring a Presentation of Colors and keynote remarks.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex offers multiple ways to celebrate. Fort Worth’s Tarrant County Veterans Day Parade steps off at 11 a.m. on November 11, marching down Main Street through Sundance Square with the theme “Saluting Vietnam Veterans.” Grapevine kicks off its annual parade at 10 a.m. on Main and West Hudgins Streets.
San Marcos celebrates the Saturday before Veterans Day. The parade starts at 9 a.m. with pre-parade activities on the Hays County Courthouse lawn beginning at 9 a.m.
El Paso: Veterans Capital of the USA Lives Up to Its Name
El Paso doesn’t do just one parade — they do five.
San Elizario’s 29th Annual Veterans Day Parade marches at 9 a.m. on November 9. Downtown El Paso’s Veterans Day Parade rolls at 10 a.m. on November 11. Socorro hosts its parade from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on November 11. The Old Glory Memorial Veterans Day Ceremony happens at 10 a.m. on November 11, featuring the Fort Bliss Army Band and Military Honor Guard.
Can’t make the parades? Horizon City hosts a Veterans Expo from noon to 4 p.m. at Desmond Corcoran “Corky” Park with free admission, food trucks, vendors, and kids’ activities.
Georgetown’s Field of Honor Honors Thousands
Georgetown transforms San Gabriel Park into a sea of red, white, and blue from November 9-17. The Rotary Club of Georgetown Foundation plants up to 2,000 full-size American flags, each dedicated to a veteran, active or reserve-duty military member, or first responder.
An opening ceremony kicks off at 1:30 p.m. on November 10. The main Veterans Day Ceremony takes place at 11 a.m. on November 11 at the Georgetown-Williamson County Veterans Memorial Plaza. The event runs 24/7 all week — grab your family and walk among the flags any time.
Dallas Museums Open Doors for Free
The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum rolls out the welcome mat on Veterans Day with free admission for everyone from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Get an up-close look at President Bush’s time in office and the decisions that shaped our military.
Veterans Need Jobs? Texas Has Them
Governor Greg Abbott invites Texas veterans, service members, and veteran spouses to the 2025 Hiring Red, White & You! statewide hiring fair running November 4 through November 20. More than 30 events connect job seekers with employers across Texas.
This isn’t just any job fair. Since the program started, it’s connected more than 26,500 employers with over 153,000 job seekers — including 52,500 veterans — leading to more than 4,300 same-day hires.
Free Meals Across the Lone Star State
Veterans eat free at dozens of restaurants on November 11. Bring your military ID or DD Form 214.
Texas Roadhouse hands out free meal vouchers from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Golden Corral serves free dinner buffets starting at 4 p.m. Applebee’s offers free meals all day. Whataburger serves free 16-ounce coffee to veterans every day through the rest of the year.
CARVE American Grille gives veterans a free 8-ounce smoked strip with mashed potatoes from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. when a guest purchases an entree.
Military Family Month Celebrates the Home Front
Military families move every 2.5 years on average. They deal with deployments, relocations, and months apart. November celebrates these families who keep the home fires burning.
The Texas Education Agency released a toolkit to help schools honor military-connected students during National Veterans and Military Families Appreciation Month.
Texas military bases — Fort Cavazos near Killeen, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Bliss in El Paso, and Camp Mabry in Austin — host family events throughout the month. Contact the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation office at your nearest base for their calendar.
If you know a military family, November’s the perfect time to offer practical help: babysitting, yard work, or a home-cooked meal.
Marines Celebrate Their Birthday First
Marines celebrate their birthday the day before Veterans Day on November 10. Military bases and Marine Corps League chapters throw cake-cutting ceremonies with the traditional first slice going to the oldest Marine present and the second to the youngest.
Show Your Appreciation Right Now
Fly an American flag at your home. Thank a veteran when you see someone in uniform. Volunteer at your local Veterans Service Organization. Adopt a military family through Operation Holiday Joy for Thanksgiving. Donate to the Armed Services YMCA. Attend a local ceremony or parade.
Find Events and Connect
For Job Fair Information: Visit twc.texas.gov/hrwy or follow @TXWorkforce on Twitter and Facebook
For Statewide Veteran Resources: Texas Veterans Commission at tvc.texas.gov — Search “Texas Veterans Commission” on Facebook
For Georgetown Field of Honor: georgetowntxfieldofhonor.org
For Local Events: Follow your city’s veterans affairs office or local veteran organizations on Facebook and Instagram. Search “Veterans Day [Your City] Texas” for local event pages.
For Military Base Family Events: Contact the MWR office at Fort Cavazos (Killeen area), Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Bliss (El Paso), or Camp Mabry (Austin)
For Local Support: Find your nearest VFW, American Legion, or AmVets chapter
November gives you 30 days to say thank you to those who served. Pick one event, one gesture, one way to show you care. Our veterans and military families have earned it.
