Veterans Day in LA With Kids: Parades, Free Admission and What's Open!
Veterans Day 2026 in LA with kids falls on Wednesday, November 11, and with LAUSD and most local schools closed, it's a midweek day off that can be both fun and meaningful. Families can cheer on marching bands at a hometown parade, hear a flyover at 11:11 a.m., walk through a field of flags, or take advantage of free entry to national parks.
We rounded up the Veterans Day parades, ceremonies and family-friendly tributes around Los Angeles and Orange County, plus the best free and discounted admission deals and a quick guide to what's open and closed on November 11. It's a great day to say thank you to the veterans in your family and teach kids what the holiday is really about.
Key Takeaways
When: Wednesday, November 11, 2026 (many events also run the weekend before, November 7–8).
School: LAUSD has no school on Veterans Day, and most other districts close too.
Big moment: Many ceremonies pause at 11 a.m. or 11:11 a.m. for flyovers, bells and a moment of silence.
Free entry: National parks are fee-free on Veterans Day for U.S. residents.
Veterans deals: Veterans and military with ID get in free at the Aquarium of the Pacific on Nov. 11 (advance reservation required).
Closed: Post offices, most banks and government offices.
Veterans Day Parades and Ceremonies Around LA (2026)
From the San Fernando Valley to San Pedro, these are the family-friendly Veterans Day events we're watching this year. Most are free, and many feature bands, flyovers and plenty of red, white and blue. Event lineups can change, so always confirm the details before heading out.
Laurel Canyon Blvd. from San Fernando Mission Blvd. (Mission Hills)
to Ritchie Valens Recreation Center, Pacoima, CA
When: Wednesday, November 11, 2026; the parade traditionally steps off at 11:11 a.m.
Parking: Street parking near the route; arrive early.
This beloved Valley tradition rolls south along Laurel Canyon Boulevard with marching bands, veterans groups, military vehicles, classic cars and community floats, finishing at Ritchie Valens Recreation Center. In past years a flyover and a festive community carnival at the park have added to the fun. Check the organizer's website for the 2026 lineup and any carnival hours.
Parent Tip: Bring small flags and a folding chair, and find a curb spot near the start so little ones see the first marchers fresh and full of energy.
250 S. Harbor Blvd.
San Pedro, CA 90731
When: Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 11–11:30 a.m.
Parking: LA World Cruise Terminal lot; first hour free, then $3 per hour, up to $23 per day.
The museum ship marks Veterans Day with its Bells of Peace observance, a short and moving way for kids to understand why 11 a.m. on November 11 matters (it's when the fighting in World War I stopped in 1918). The IOWA is usually open Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., so plan a full ship tour on another day if your crew wants to explore the decks, and check the website for the latest ticket offers.
Parent Tip: The huge 16-inch guns are the showstopper for kids. If you come back for a tour, wear sneakers, since the ship has lots of steep ladders and steps.
Veterans Memorial Park, 4117 Overland Ave.
Culver City, CA 90230
When: Flags go up before Veterans Day and stay up for about two weeks.
Parking: Please check the website for more information.
The Exchange Club of Culver City fills Veterans Memorial Park with rows of full-size American flags, each one sponsored in honor of a hero and personalized with a handmade yellow ribbon. Walking through the field is quiet, beautiful and a natural way to start a conversation with kids about service. Families can sponsor a flag for a $50 donation.
Parent Tip: Let kids read a few of the ribbons and pick one to thank out loud. It turns a pretty walk into a memorable moment.
Veterans Historical Plaza, 24275 Walnut St.
Santa Clarita, CA 91321
When: Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 11 a.m.
Parking: Please check the website for more information.
The City of Santa Clarita and its City Council host a special ceremony honoring local veterans, active-duty service members and their families at the Veterans Historical Plaza in Old Town Newhall. It's a community-centered event with a hometown feel, and the plaza is right near the shops and restaurants of Main Street.
Parent Tip: Make a morning of it: attend the ceremony, then grab lunch and stroll Newhall's Main Street afterward.
40 Presidential Dr.
Simi Valley, CA 93065
When: Wednesday, November 11, 2026; 2026 times TBA.
Parking: Please check the website for more information.
The Reagan Library traditionally hosts a big Veterans Day program with an honor guard, live music, a Civil War encampment and a military vehicle display, and kids love seeing the Air Force One Pavilion. In past years, outdoor activities and the program were free, and veterans with ID got free museum admission on November 11. The 2026 details haven't been announced yet, so check the website before you go.
Parent Tip: If you go inside the museum, start at Air Force One, since little legs tire out fast and the plane is what kids talk about all the way home.
Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91101
When: Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Parking: Please check the website for more information.
Pasadena's annual celebration takes over the steps of its gorgeous City Hall, and this year's program honors veterans and the women who supported them, while marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. Look up at 11:11 a.m. for a flyover by the Condor Squadron. There are free hot dogs, interactive exhibits and activities for all ages, which makes this one of the most kid-friendly ceremonies in LA County.
Parent Tip: Snag a spot with a clear view of the sky a few minutes before 11:11 a.m. Kids get a real thrill when the vintage planes roar over the dome.
Veterans Sports Park, 1645 Valencia Ave.
Tustin, CA 92782
When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Parking: Please check the website for more information.
If you'd rather celebrate on the weekend, head to Tustin for a car show, vendors and a community celebration honoring veterans at Veterans Sports Park. Car-loving kids can walk the rows of shiny classics, and the park's open space gives everyone room to roam.
Parent Tip: Car shows are best early, before the crowds and the midday sun. Pack sunscreen and a water bottle for each child.
18001 Yorba Linda Blvd.
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
When: Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Parking: Please check the website for more information.
The Richard Nixon Library and Museum hosts a free Veterans Day program with remarks, a wreath-laying and the unveiling of a plaque from the Daughters of the American Revolution. Registration is required, and museum admission is separate if you'd like to explore the galleries afterward.
Parent Tip: Register early, since free ceremonies with limited seating tend to fill up in the final week.
Starts at the County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Hwy.
San Diego, CA 92101
When: Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 10–11:30 a.m.
Parking: Downtown garages fill fast; public transit is the easiest option.
For a big-city parade worth the drive, San Diego's Veterans Day Parade marches down Harbor Drive along the waterfront, with the USS Midway Museum as an operational partner. This year's theme honors the 35th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm, and thousands of spectators usually line the route.
Parent Tip: Make it an overnight trip and spend the afternoon at the USS Midway Museum, just steps from the parade route.
Free and Discounted Admission on Veterans Day 2026
Veterans Day is one of the best days of the year for free outings. Here are the deals we've confirmed for 2026.
Joshua Tree National Park, 74485 National Park Dr.
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
When: Wednesday, November 11, 2026, all day
Parking: Included with park entry; lots at popular trailheads fill on busy days.
Veterans Day is a fee-free day at national parks, which means entrance fees are waived at parks that normally charge them, like Joshua Tree, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, and Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego. One important change for 2026: fee-free days now apply to U.S. residents. Joshua Tree's giant boulder piles are basically a natural playground, and November weather in the desert is just right for families.
Parent Tip: Head to Jumbo Rocks or the Cholla Cactus Garden boardwalk for easy, kid-sized adventures, and keep everyone in closed-toe shoes around the cactus.
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA 90802
When: Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Parking: Please check the website for more information.
On Veterans Day, veterans and military personnel with a service ID get free admission to the Aquarium of the Pacific. Advance reservations are required and capacity is limited, so call the Aquarium at (562) 590-3100, ext. 0, to reserve. Other family members pay general admission. Inside, kids can touch sharks and rays, watch the sea otters and visit the penguins.
Parent Tip: Arrive right at opening when it's calmer, and head to the touch pools first, before school-holiday crowds build up.
14998 Cal Aero Dr.
Chino, CA 91710
Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (open on Veterans Day)
Parking: Please check the website for more information.
This hangar-filled museum at Chino Airport is packed with historic military aircraft, and it's open on Wednesday, November 11. Veterans pay $14, and active-duty and reserve military with ID get in free; general admission is $20, kids 5–11 are $10, and kids 4 and under are free. Aviation fans should also mark Saturday, November 7, for a Hangar Talk and a P-38J Lightning "flight" segment at 12:15 p.m., with engine start-up and taxi in front of the crowd, food trucks and activities for young visitors (regular admission).
Parent Tip: Ask a museum guide where to find the planes from the eras your family's veterans served in. Kids love connecting a real plane to a real person.
What's Open and Closed on Veterans Day 2026
Veterans Day is a federal holiday, so plan around a few closures before you head out on Wednesday, November 11.
Schools: LAUSD has no school, and most other LA County districts close too. Check your own district's calendar.
Post offices and mail: Post offices are closed, and there's no regular mail delivery.
Banks: Most banks are closed, though ATMs and online banking work as usual.
Government offices: City and county offices close, and many public libraries close for the holiday, so check your branch.
Museums and attractions: Most stay open, including the Aquarium of the Pacific and Planes of Fame. LACMA is always closed on Wednesdays, and the Battleship IOWA's regular tour days are Thursday through Monday.
Malls and theme parks: Generally open regular hours, though crowds can feel like a weekend since schools are out.
Parent Tip: Because schools close but many parents still work, Veterans Day is a popular day for holiday camps and kids' classes. Book early if you need childcare.
How to Talk to Kids About Veterans Day
Veterans Day honors everyone who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces, living or not, while Memorial Day remembers those who died in service. The holiday began as Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I fighting at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.
Simple ways to make the day meaningful: have kids make a thank-you card for a veteran in your family or neighborhood, call a grandparent who served and ask about their story, or pause together for a moment of silence at 11 a.m.
Parent Tip: Younger kids connect best with real people. Look through old family photos of relatives in uniform and let kids ask questions.
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Takeaway
Veterans Day 2026 gives LA families a free midweek day to celebrate, learn and say thank you. Catch the flyover at Pasadena City Hall, cheer on the San Fernando Valley parade, walk among the flags in Culver City, or take advantage of fee-free entry to a national park.
Whichever you choose, double-check event details before you go, plan around holiday closures and take a moment to thank the veterans in your life. It's the kind of day off kids remember.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there school on Veterans Day 2026 in Los Angeles?
No. LAUSD has no school on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, for Veterans Day, and most other Los Angeles County districts close as well. Private schools and charters set their own calendars, so check yours. Many families use the day off for parades, ceremonies, museums or a national park visit.
Are national parks free on Veterans Day 2026?
Yes. Veterans Day, November 11, 2026, is a fee-free day at national parks that charge entrance fees, such as Joshua Tree and Sequoia. Starting in 2026, fee-free days apply to U.S. residents. Other costs, like camping, tours or parking at some sites, may still apply.
What time do Veterans Day ceremonies start?
Many Veterans Day ceremonies begin around 10 or 11 a.m., and a lot of them pause at 11 a.m. or 11:11 a.m. for flyovers, bells or a moment of silence. This honors the end of World War I fighting at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
Is the post office open on Veterans Day?
No. Veterans Day is a federal holiday, so U.S. post offices are closed and there's no regular mail delivery on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Most banks and government offices are also closed. Most museums, malls and attractions stay open, but check holiday hours before you go.
What is a good way to celebrate Veterans Day with kids?
Attend a local parade or ceremony, walk through a field of flags, or visit an air or military museum. At home, kids can make thank-you cards for veterans, call a grandparent who served or pause for a moment of silence at 11 a.m. Simple, personal moments make the day meaningful.
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