top of page

Veterans Day 2026 Freebies, Deals & Events: Washington and Nationwide

Writer: Adam Peddicord
Adam Peddicord
10 minutes ago
7 min read
Customer Success by Design founder Adam Peddicord as a U.S. Army combat medic in desert combat gear, with text reading Happy Veterans Day 2026.

Thank you to everyone who has served, and to the families who served alongside them.


As a veteran business owner based in Washington, I wanted to put together this roundup of Veterans Day 2026 freebies, discounts, and free admission available nationwide and across my home state. I also included ceremonies and parades happening around the state. Everything below applies to Wednesday, November 11, 2026, unless noted.



Before You Go

  • Call ahead. Most offers are at participating locations only, and not every national chain has locations in Washington.

  • Bring proof of service. A military ID, VA card, veteran designation on your driver’s license, or DD-214 works for most offers.

  • Tip on the full value. Please tip your server based on the full value of your meal, even when it’s free.


Free Outdoors & Admission in Washington

  • Washington State Parks: No Discover Pass is required to park on November 11. Free days apply only to day use, not overnight stays or rented facilities.

  • State forest and wildlife lands: Washington DNR lists Wednesday, November 11 (Veterans Day) as a Discover Pass free day.

  • National parks: The National Park Service waives entrance fees at sites including Mount Rainier and Olympic. Starting in 2026, fee-free days apply only to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, and other fees like camping or timed-entry reservations still apply.

  • Museum of Flight (Seattle): Free admission for veterans, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an 11 a.m. screening of the WWII documentary 10 Good Men and a 1 p.m. Boeing Employees’ Concert Band performance. Free admission covers only the veteran, not the whole group, and no proof of service is required.

  • Woodland Park Zoo (Seattle): Free admission for active, retired, reserve, and veteran U.S. military personnel plus one guest, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with valid ID. Up to five more guests get $3 off admission.

  • Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (Tacoma): Veterans Appreciation Days, November 11 to 15, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Free for veterans and active-duty members, half off for immediate family. Proof of service required; admission window only, not online.

  • Northwest Trek Wildlife Park (Eatonville): Same offer as Point Defiance, November 11 to 15: free for veterans and active-duty members, half off for immediate family, at the admission window only.

  • Looff Carrousel (Spokane): Free rides for active-duty and former military plus one companion at Riverfront Park, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a 20% discount on other attractions, rentals, and gift shop purchases.


Washington Ceremonies & Events (November 11)

Seattle, Eastside & North Sound

  • Seattle (Evergreen Washelli Cemetery): At 11111 Aurora Ave N, a public flag-placement ceremony starts at 10 a.m., followed by an 11 a.m. memorial service with speakers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord and music by the Northwest Junior Pipe Band. Free and family-friendly.

  • Seattle (LGBTQ+ Veterans Day Celebration): Peer Seattle hosts a celebration from noon to 2 p.m. with a Wall of Honor, awards, guest speakers, and food.

  • Bellevue (Eastside Veterans Day Ceremony): 11 a.m. at Sunset Hills Memorial Park, featuring a George Washington re-enactor and the University of Washington Air Force ROTC Color Guard. Free.

  • SeaTac: Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. at the SeaTac Community Center and Veterans Memorial. Free.

  • Edmonds: A 2 p.m. outdoor Veterans Day ceremony, held in partnership with VFW Post 1040, honoring all U.S. Armed Forces veterans.

  • Lynnwood: Veterans Day Ceremony honoring U.S. Armed Forces veterans at Veterans Park, 44th Ave W & Veterans Way.

  • Mill Creek: Veterans Day Ceremony, 9 to 10 a.m. at Library Park (15429 Bothell Everett Hwy), followed by the Veterans Day Parade, 11 a.m. to noon at Town Center (15310 Main St).

  • Kenmore: Lakeview Yoga is hosting a donation-based “Gentle Reset” class to honor veterans, 7:30 to 8:45 p.m., at 7800 NE Bothell Way, Suite 155.

  • On the water: At 11:11 a.m., Washington State Ferries will honor Veterans Day with a whistle salute and flags flown aboard vessels.


Whidbey Island, Kitsap & Pierce County

  • Oak Harbor: Veterans Day Parade, 2 to 3 p.m. along Pioneer Way in historic downtown. The Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum’s TOPGUN exhibit is a good add-on.

  • Poulsbo: Third annual Veterans Day Parade at 11 a.m. on Front Street downtown. Free.

  • Port Orchard: Community Veterans Day gathering, 11 a.m. to noon at Marina Park, sponsored by Port Orchard Rotary and Fred Needham VFW Post 2669.

  • Gig Harbor: Veterans Day Celebration, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Gig Harbor Aero Museum. Free for veterans, active-duty military, and first responders; general admission is $17.85. Get tickets.


Olympia, Southwest Washington & Spokane

  • Olympia: Veterans Day Celebration at the State Capitol Campus, 10:30 a.m. to noon. The American Legion band performs at 10:30, followed by the official ceremony at 11 a.m.

  • Vancouver: Veterans Day Open House at Pearson Air Museum, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., plus the 38th Annual Lough Legacy Veterans Day Parade, which starts at 11 a.m. at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.

  • Spokane: See the free Looff Carrousel rides at Riverfront Park above.


Free Food & Drink (Nationwide, Participating Locations)

These offers are from national and regional chains. Many have Washington locations; check your nearest one before heading out.

  • 7 Brew: 50% off your drink order at participating stands.

  • Applebee’s: Free entrée from a special Veterans Day menu. Dine-in only.

  • BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: Free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie for veterans and current service members dining in.

  • Blaze Pizza: Free one-topping pizza at participating locations.

  • Bob Evans: Free meal from a special Veterans Day menu.

  • Bonefish Grill: Free Bang Bang Shrimp and a nonalcoholic beverage.

  • Buca di Beppo: Free lunch entrée, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dine-in only, proof of service required.

  • Buffalo Wild Wings: 10 free boneless wings plus fries for dine-in guests with proof of service. At B-Dubs GO locations, the same offer applies to walk-in orders with a $5 minimum.

  • California Pizza Kitchen: Free entrée from a select menu plus one beverage. Show military ID, other proof of service, or come in uniform.

  • Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen: Free appetizer or dessert, no purchase necessary.

  • Chili’s: Free entrée from a select Veterans Day menu. Dine-in only at participating restaurants.

  • Chipotle: Free chips and dip with a $5 in-restaurant purchase. Valid proof of military or veteran status required.

  • Cracker Barrel: Free breakfast for veterans and active-duty military.

  • Dave & Buster’s: Free unlimited play on blue and green swipe games all day (no tickets earned), plus a free dessert with an entrée purchase.

  • Denny’s: Free Original Grand Slam, 5 a.m. to noon. Dine-in only, military ID or DD-214 required.

  • Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: Free Pulled Pork Sandwich, dine-in or carryout, with valid military ID.

  • Dog Haus: Free entrée for veterans, dine-in only, with proof of service.

  • Fazoli’s: Free spaghetti with marinara or meat sauce using code VET26, no purchase necessary.

  • Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: Free combo meal card, no purchase necessary. Redeem through November 25, 2026.

  • Golden Corral: Free “Thank You” buffet and beverage at Military Appreciation Night, 4 p.m. to close.

  • IHOP: Free Red, White, and Blueberry Pancake Combo for veterans and active-duty service members, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • Ivar’s Seafood (Washington): Free select seafood entrée for active-duty military and veterans with valid ID.

  • Krispy Kreme: Free doughnut and coffee.

  • Little Caesars: Free Lunch Combo (four slices of Detroit-style Deep Dish pizza and a 20-ounce Pepsi), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., no coupon required.

  • LongHorn Steakhouse: 10% off your meal, plus a free appetizer or dessert for the table with an adult entrée purchase. Dine-in and call-in orders.

  • Menchie’s: First 6 ounces of frozen yogurt free.

  • Mission BBQ: Free sandwich for veterans.

  • Olive Garden: Free entrée from a special menu for veterans and current military who dine in, with proof of service.

  • Outback Steakhouse: November 10 and 11, a free Bloomin’ Onion and a Coca-Cola product or 16-ounce domestic draft beer.

  • Red Robin: Free Red’s Big Tavern Burger with Bottomless Fries for dine-in guests who provide proof of service.

  • Rubio’s Coastal Grill: Buy one entrée, get one free with code VETS26. In-store only, military ID required.

  • Ruby Tuesday: Free Everyday Fresh Meal (up to $17.99). Dine-in only at participating locations.

  • Shake Shack: Free ShackBurger for active-duty military and veterans.

  • Sizzler: Free lunch and nonalcoholic beverage from open until 4 p.m. No ID required.

  • Smashburger: Free All-American Smashburger at participating locations. ID required.

  • Starbucks: Free tall (12-ounce) hot or iced brewed coffee for veterans, service members, and military spouses.

  • TCBY: First 6 ounces of frozen yogurt free with military ID or other proof of service.

  • Teriyaki Madness: Free junior or regular bowl. In-store only, with military ID or proof of service.

  • Texas Roadhouse: Free meal vouchers handed out 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with proof of service, redeemable through May 31, 2027.

  • Wendy’s: Free Dave’s Single at participating U.S. restaurants.

  • White Castle: Free combo meal or breakfast combo at participating locations. Military ID required.

  • Yard House: Free appetizer for veterans and active-duty military.


Retail, Services & Travel (Nationwide)

  • Target: 20% off one qualifying purchase through Target Circle, November 5 to 11. Verify your military status in Target Circle first.

  • Kohl’s: 30% off qualifying purchases, November 10 and 11.

  • Ashley Furniture: 5% off purchases under $999 and 10% off purchases of $999 or more, November 6 to 11.

  • Great Clips: Veterans and active service members get a free haircut or a card for one. Non-military customers receive a card to give to a veteran or service member, redeemable through December 4, 2026.

  • Brown Bear Car Wash (Washington): Brown Bear offers free car washes to veterans every Veterans Day and donates a portion of proceeds to Puget Sound Honor Flight. In past years, the offer has been at its tunnel wash locations, on the honor system with no verification required. Check the site to confirm this year’s details.

  • Eyemart Express: 20% off prescription glasses and sunglasses for military members, veterans, and dependents, year-round.

  • 4Patriots: Free 72-Hour Emergency Survival Food Kit for veterans and active military through a shipping form available on November 11 only.

  • Caesars Rewards: Up to 25% off the lowest available hotel rates for veterans and active-duty military when booked November 4 to 11, for travel through November 2027.


Free Admission at National Landmarks

Traveling this week? These out-of-state sites are free for veterans on Veterans Day or longer.


Know of a Deal We Missed?

Let us know and we’ll add it. Thank you again to every veteran, service member, and military family.



Cheers,


Adam Peddicord

Customer Success by Design


AI was used to support research, grammar, and structural clarity. All thoughts, opinions, lived experiences, and recommendations are my own.

Comments

bottom of page