Veterans Day 2026: Wednesday 11 November

What’s happening in 2026

Veterans Day 2026 is on Wednesday 11 November 2026. It is a US federal holiday that honours everyone who has served in the United States Armed Forces. The national observance is led by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

• No substitute day this year. Veterans Day is always 11 November. When it falls on a Saturday, most federal employees get the Friday before off; when it falls on a Sunday, they get the Monday after (OPM). In 2026 it is a Wednesday, so the holiday is observed on the day itself.
• The national ceremony. The Veterans Day National Ceremony is held at Arlington National Cemetery on 11 November 2026. The VA says it begins at 11:00am with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns, followed by a parade of colors and remarks in the Memorial Amphitheater.
• America’s 250th anniversary. The 2026 Veterans Day poster recognises the 250th anniversary of the United States, combining the modern flag with an early American flag. It will be displayed in VA facilities and military installations and forms the cover of the Arlington programme. A high-resolution version can be downloaded from the VA.
• The same day as Armistice Day. In the UK, 11 November is Armistice Day, with a two-minute silence at 11am. Remembrance Sunday falls three days earlier, on Sunday 8 November 2026.

How to take part in 2026

• US workplaces: because the holiday is midweek, offices that stay open can mark it on the day, for example by recognising veterans on staff or sharing the VA’s 2026 poster.
• US schools: the VA publishes a Veterans Day Teachers Resource Guide; the 250th anniversary theme of this year’s poster works well for a history lesson about service since 1776.
• Watch or attend: join the Arlington ceremony at 11am Eastern time, or a local parade or ceremony run by your city or veterans’ organisation.
• UK and US teams: 11am on 11 November is the two-minute silence in the UK. A joint moment at the start of the US working day recognises both.
• Businesses offering veteran discounts: publish terms and the ID you will accept in advance so staff are not deciding at the till.

Key dates around Veterans Day 2026

• Sunday 8 November: Remembrance Sunday (UK)
• Wednesday 11 November: Armistice Day (UK and Commonwealth)
• Friday 13 November: World Kindness Day
• Thursday 26 November: Thanksgiving (US federal holiday)
• Friday 27 November: Black Friday

For the history of Veterans Day and ideas that work every year, see our guide to Veterans Day. For everything else happening this month, see November awareness days and weeks.

Upcoming Awareness Days

10 OctWorld Porridge Day 2026

10 OctNational Hug a Kevin Day

10 OctWorld Mental Health Day 2026

10 OctAnimal Road Accident Awareness Day 2026

10 OctWorld Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2026

10 OctBookshop Day