Veterans Day—which falls on Monday, November 11, this year—might not be the first November holiday that springs to mind, but there are plenty of events in the Seattle area to honor those who served in the military. From the Auburn Veterans Day Parade to free admission to the Woodland Park Zoo, we've rounded up all of the events open to veterans, their families, and/or the general public below. You'll also find them all on our Veterans Day calendar.


Jump to: Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Monday

NOVEMBER 8–11

FILM

A Few Good Films Military Film Series
Cinerama will screen some of the best—and least jingoistic—American war movies, like Dr. Strangelove, Apocalypse Now, Born on the Fourth of July, and The Hurt Locker.
Cinerama, Belltown

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8

MUSIC

Best of the NW Tribute
Enjoy a night of Seattle grunge with tribute bands Washed In Black (Pearl Jam), Outshined (Soundgarden and Temple Of the Dog), and Nevermind (Nirvana) at this tribute show for Heartbeat Serving Wounded Warriors. 
Louie G's, Fife

Kastalsky Requiem: Memory Eternal to the Fallen Heroes
Cappella Romana will be directed by English conductor Steven Fox in a Northwest premiere performance of Alexander Kastalsky's "Memory Eternal," a call for reconciliation during World War I.
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Capitol Hill

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9

CEREMONIES & SPECIAL EVENTS

Auburn Veterans Day Parade
This 54th annual parade and observance in Auburn—named Washington's Regional Site for celebrating the holiday by the Veterans Day National Committee and the US Department of Veterans Affairs—features high school marching bands, military vehicles, honor guards, and other such fanfare.
Auburn Main Street

Coffee with Veterans
Enjoy coffee and treats while talking to Veterans who served in WWII, Vietnam, the First Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum, Everett 

Veterans Day Celebration
Enjoy patriotic music, service songs, and a demonstration from working military dogs and their handlers from Whidbey Island's Naval Air Station. 
Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center, Stanwood

NOVEMBER 9–10

DISCOUNTS & FREEBIES

Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum
Veterans and active military members can explore the museum's collection of combat aircraft from WWII and other fighter planes, free of charge. 
Everett

Fort Nisqually Living History Museum
All veterans will get half-off admission to the former fur trading site and farm post of the Hudson's Bay Company.
Tacoma

NOVEMBER 9–11

DISCOUNTS & FREEBIES

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
Veterans who love the outdoors are invited to tour the wildlife conservation park and spot its furry inhabitants (like bison, elk, moose, mountain goats, and eagles).
Eatonville 

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Veterans can enjoy free admission to the South Sound zoo and aquarium.
Tacoma

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10

CEREMONIES & SPECIAL EVENTS

Honoring Veterans Day
In honor of the 2020 Suffrage Centennial, this special commemoration will place a special focus on the history of women service members. 
Washington State History Museum, Tacoma

NVC Veterans Day Event
Sergeant Major Jerry Walden (100th Infantry Battalion) will give a keynote speech at this Veterans Day event with special guest Norman Mineta, who served as the sole Democratic Cabinet Secretary in the Bush administration.
Nisei Veterans' Committee Memorial Hall, Chinatown-International District

MUSIC

Veteran's Day Concert
The Seattle Civic Band will honor veterans with patriotic tunes at this event co-sponsored by Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063. 
Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11

CEREMONIES & SPECIAL EVENTS

Gig Harbor Veterans Day Celebration 2019
United States Marine Corps retired officer John Moist will emcee this annual lunch program, which will also feature a keynote speech from retired United States Air Force General Steven Wood and a color guard ceremony.
Tacoma Narrows Airport, Gig Harbor

Lynnwood Veterans Day Ceremony
Celebrate Veterans Day at this annual commemoration in Lynnwood's Memorial Park.
Memorial Park, Lynnwood

Mill Creek Veterans Day
Mill Creek celebrates Veterans Day with a Veterans Walk, a commemorative ceremony, a parade, military displays, and a car show.
Various locations, Mill Creek

Museum of Flight Veterans Day Celebration
After a short performance by the Boeing Employees Concert Band, this annual event will bring a keynote speech from General Peter W. Chiarelli, a color guard ceremony, and other remarks from local officials. All veterans and current military personnel will enjoy free admission to the museum. 
Tukwila

Red Badge Project’s Women Veterans Reading
Hear stories from the women of the Red Badge Program, founded in 2012 by former Army Captain Evan Bailey and Tom Skerritt to support wounded warriors "in the journey to reconstruct their individual sense of purpose, understanding of self-worth, and place in community as they discover and give voice to their unique stories."
Hugo House, Capitol Hill

Shoreline Veterans Day Celebration
A short program will be followed by free refreshments at Shoreline's annual Veterans Day celebration with support from the Starr Sutherland, Jr. American Legion Post 227.
Shoreline City Hall

UW Veterans Day Ceremony
UW's Medal of Honor Memorial will play host to a brief ceremony that will include the presentation of this year's Distinguished Alumni Veteran Award and a moment of silence (at 11:11 a.m.).
UW Campus, University District

Veterans Day Dinner and Ceremony
This annual Veterans Day dinner (which includes Caesar salad, flank steak, cheesy potatoes, green beans and carrots, and a roll) will be followed by a ceremony honoring all who have served in the U.S. military. 
Ballard Elks

Veterans Day Gathering of Remembrance and Honoring
The Tulalip Veterans Department and Honor Guard present a "posting of colors" ceremony, a formal roll call with Tulalip Marine veteran David Fryberg, lunch and refreshments, and a lecture titled "Ozette Archaeological Recovery Experience" with Tulalip veteran John Campbell.
The Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve, Tulalip

DISCOUNTS & FREEBIES

Ivar's Acres of Clams
Veterans and active military can enjoy a complimentary entrée at all Ivar's locations. 
Various locations

LeMay: America's Car Museum
Active duty, retirees, and veterans can check out the museum's collection of vintage cars for free. 
Tacoma

Museum of Glass
Veterans and active-duty military members are invited to take in live glassblowing demonstrations, performances from MusicWorks4Vets, and displays from Geoffrey Bowton and Tacoma Arts Live. 
Tacoma

Pike Place Market
Businesses throughout Pike Place Market will offer special discounts and deals to veterans and active military, from free Jagerdogs at Bavarian Meats to a 10% discount at Rachel's Ginger Beer.
Downtown

Seattle Glassblowing Studio
Veterans and active-duty military service members are invited to make some free glass art 
Belltown

State Park Free Days
If you don't have a Discover Pass but you still want to take in Northwest wildlife in all its evergreen-hued glory, take advantage of free admission to state parks on Veterans Day.
Various locations

Super Six
U.S. veterans and current service members will get a free malasada (a Portuguese fried doughnut) with every breakfast entrée purchase.
Columbia City

Woodland Park Zoo
Active, retired, and veteran U.S. military personnel (and their spouses) can roam the Woodland Park Zoo's grassy meadows for free.
Phinney

FOOD & DRINK

Urban Family Veterans Day Celebration
Treat the veterans and military members in your life to a pint of Urban Family's hazy Good Life, Good Fight IPA, brewed with 2019 Veterans Blend hops from Yakima Chief Farms and tapped just for this occasion. One dollar from every beer will be donated to veteran service projects.
Urban Family Brewing Co., Magnolia

MUSIC

Seattle Wind Symphony Presents: Honoring Our Veterans
The Seattle Wind Symphony will welcome America's First Corps Band to join them on stage for a special Veterans Day program featuring military salutes, patriotic favorites, and well-known marches. 
Benaroya Hall, Downtown

NOVEMBER 15–24

PERFORMANCE

The Falling & The Rising: A Soldier's Operatic Odyssey
Expanding far past their traditional offerings, Seattle Opera will present this production originally created from a compilation of interviews with veterans and active-duty servicepeople at three different military facilities. The piece illustrates one soldier's journey as she navigates a coma-induced dreamscape after a violent roadside attack, all set to original music composed by Zach Redler.
Seattle Center