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Veterans Day 2026 is Wednesday, November 11. Here's my roundup of the free meals, discounts, free admission, and events for veterans across the Portland metro and SW Washington. I pulled the national offers from the VA's own list and added the local ones I found here at home.
Before You Go
Bring Proof of Service
A military ID, VA health ID card, DD-214, or the veteran designation on your Oregon or Washington driver's license usually works.
Call Ahead
Franchise locations decide for themselves whether to take part, and many offers are dine in only or limited to certain hours.
Local Free Admission and Outdoors
| Place | Offer | When |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Zoo | Free admission for veterans and active duty plus up to three family members. Reserve tickets online first. Parking not included. | Nov 11, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. |
| Portland Japanese Garden | Free admission for veterans, active duty, and the family members with them | Veterans Day |
| World Forestry Center | Free admission for veterans and active duty at the Discovery Museum | Every day |
| Fort Vancouver National Historic Site | National parks are fee free on Veterans Day | Nov 11 |
| Washington State Parks | No Discover Pass needed for day use at Washington state parks and other state lands | Nov 11 |
| National Forests | Day use fees waived at Forest Service sites like Mt. Hood and Gifford Pinchot | Nov 11 |
| Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum | Free admission for veterans and one guest over Veterans Day weekend. Check the museum for dates. | Veterans Day weekend |
Parades and Ceremonies
| Event | Details | When |
|---|---|---|
| Portland Veterans Day Parade | Starts at 10 a.m. at NE MLK and Beech, with a closing ceremony and resource fair after at 5305 NE MLK | Nov 11, 10 a.m. |
| Lough Legacy Veterans Parade, Vancouver | Rain or shine at Fort Vancouver, starting at Officers Row and E Reserve St. CMAC hosts an open house at Pearson Air Museum, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Nov 11, 11 a.m. |
| Oregon Statewide Veterans Day Ceremony, Salem | Free ceremony on the Capitol Mall hosted by the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs | Nov 11, 11 a.m. |
| Linn County Veterans Day Parade, Albany | One of the largest Veterans Day parades in the West, in downtown Albany | Nov 11, 11:11 a.m. |
For more events near you, see the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs Veterans Day events calendar.
Free Meals and Restaurant Deals
These national chains have announced Veterans Day offers and have locations in the Portland area. Not every location takes part, so use each link to check.
| Business | Offer | When |
|---|---|---|
| Applebee's | Free entrée from a special Veterans Day menu. Drinks and tip not included. | Nov 11, dine in |
| Bonefish Grill | Free Bang Bang Shrimp entrée and a nonalcoholic drink | Nov 11 |
| Chili's | Free entrée from a select Veterans Day menu | Nov 11, dine in |
| Chipotle | Free chips with guacamole, queso blanco, or salsa with a $5 purchase | Nov 11 |
| Denny's | Free Original Grand Slam, 5 a.m. to noon | Nov 11, dine in |
| Freddy's Frozen Custard | Free combo meal card, good through Nov 25 | Nov 11 |
| In-N-Out Burger | Free burger, fries, and drink, plus a commemorative decal | Nov 11 |
| Little Caesars | Free lunch combo with four slices of Detroit style deep dish pizza and a 20 oz Pepsi, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Nov 11 |
| McCormick & Schmick's | Half price entrée for veterans, active duty, and Gold Star families | Sun, Nov 8 |
| Olive Garden | Free entrée from a special Veterans Day menu with soup or salad and breadsticks | Nov 11, dine in |
| Outback Steakhouse | Free Bloomin' Onion and a drink, plus a free meal card for a future visit through Dine Rewards | Nov 10 and 11, dine in |
| Red Lobster | Free Shrimp & Chips | Nov 11, dine in |
| Red Robin | Free Red's Big Tavern Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries | Nov 11, dine in |
| Rubio's | Buy one entrée, get one free with code VETS26 | Nov 11, in store |
| Smashburger | Free All American Smashburger | Nov 11 |
| Starbucks | Free 12 oz hot or iced brewed coffee for veterans, service members, and spouses | Nov 11 |
| Yard House | Free appetizer. Ask your server. | Nov 11 |
| Veterans Canteen Service | Free breakfast combo at PatriotCafé and free coffee at PatriotBrew, at VA medical centers | Tue, Nov 10, morning |
Shopping, Haircuts, and Car Care
| Business | Offer | When |
|---|---|---|
| Kohl's | Save 30% in store for military, veterans, and families. Exclusions apply. | Nov 10 and 11 |
| Walgreens | Save 20% on eligible regular price items for veterans, active duty, and immediate family | Veterans Day, in store |
| Tractor Supply | Save 10% as a verified Hometown Heroes members, plus year round perks | Veterans Day |
| The Exchange (AAFES) | Deals on electronics, clothing, and more. MILITARY STAR cardholders save an extra 10%. | Nov 6 to 12 |
| Great Clips | Free haircut for veterans and active duty | Nov 11 |
| Sport Clips | Free or discounted haircut at participating stores | Nov 11 |
| AutoNation | Save 15% on service, parts, and accessories, on Veterans Day and all year | Nov 11 and year round |
| Grace for Vets | Free car wash at participating car washes | Nov 11 |
Year Round Perks Worth Knowing
- Veterans can get a free lifetime pass to national parks and other federal lands.
- The Oregon Zoo gives veterans and active duty $3 off admission any day with military ID.
- Many stores offer a military discount every day, not just on Veterans Day. It never hurts to ask.
Offers are from the VA's 2026 Veterans Day list (verified by VA as of October 22, 2026) and from each business or organization. They can change and may not be available at every location, so please confirm before you go. Listing a business is not an endorsement.
More Ways to Connect
Looking for VA clinics, county veteran service offices, and local veteran groups? My Veteran Community Resource Guide covers 20 Portland and SW Washington communities, and my Portland VA Benefits Guide covers health care and state benefits.
Thank you for your service. As a Marine Corps veteran, Veterans Day means a lot to me. If you're thinking about buying or selling a home, I'd be honored to help you put the benefits you earned to work.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Veterans Day 2026?
Wednesday, November 11, 2026. It's a federal holiday.
What do I need to bring to get a Veterans Day discount?
Most businesses accept a military ID, a VA health ID card, a DD-214, or a veteran designation on your Oregon or Washington driver's license. Some accept a photo of yourself in uniform.
Is the Oregon Zoo free for veterans on Veterans Day?
Yes. On November 11, 2026, veterans and active duty service members get free admission plus up to three family members. You need to reserve tickets online in advance and bring military or veteran ID.
Is there a Veterans Day parade in Portland in 2026?
Yes. The Portland Veterans Day Parade starts at 10 a.m. on November 11 at NE MLK and Beech. Vancouver's Lough Legacy Veterans Parade starts at 11 a.m. at Fort Vancouver.
Are the parks free on Veterans Day?
Yes. National parks like Fort Vancouver are fee free on November 11, Washington state parks don't require a Discover Pass that day, and national forests waive day use fees. Veterans can also get a free lifetime pass to national parks.
Are Veterans Day meals dine in only?
Many are. Most offers are good only at participating locations, and some have time limits, so call ahead.
More Guides for Veterans
Meet Your Veteran Realtor
Troy Doty, Principal Broker
Troy Doty is a Principal Broker with Northwest Realty Source in Portland, with 25 years in real estate and over 1,000 homes sold across the Portland metro and SW Washington. As a Marine Corps veteran, Troy has a true passion for helping Portland veterans and active duty military families buy and sell homes, whether you're PCSing in, transitioning out, buying your first home, investing in a duplex, triplex, or fourplex, or right sizing later in life.
Schedule a Call or Video Meeting ➜ More About Troy ➜ Free Veteran Buyer E-BookPrefer to call or email? 503.997.4169 · troy@nwrealtysource.com
Troy Doty, Principal Broker, Northwest Realty Source. Licensed in Oregon and Washington. ABR®, MRP, and SRES® are credentials of the National Association of REALTORS® and its affiliates. CIAS™ is a designation of U.S. Realty Training. This page is general information, not legal, tax, or lending advice.
