Veterans Day 2026: Date, What's Open and Free Offers
Veterans Day 2026 is Wednesday, November 11, 2026. It is a federal holiday that honors everyone who served in the U.S. military.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Dates and sources checked October 25, 2026 · Methodology & sources
Veterans Day 2026 date and observed day
- Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Veterans Day is November 11 every year (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)).
- Observed for federal pay and leave: Wednesday, November 11, 2026. There is no shift because the date is a weekday.
- Federal Reserve Banks: closed Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
When November 11 falls on a weekend the rule depends on who you are. For federal employees on a Monday to Friday schedule, a Saturday holiday is treated as a holiday on the Friday before (5 U.S.C. 6103(b)) and a Sunday holiday on the Monday after (Executive Order 11582, section 3(a)). Federal Reserve Banks are open the Friday before a Saturday holiday and closed the Monday after a Sunday holiday.
| Year | November 11 | Federal pay and leave holiday | Federal Reserve Banks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028 | Saturday | Friday, November 10, 2028 | Open the Friday before |
| 2029 | Sunday | Monday, November 12, 2029 | Closed Monday, November 12, 2029 |
| 2034 | Saturday | Friday, November 10, 2034 | Open the Friday before |
| 2035 | Sunday | Monday, November 12, 2035 | Closed Monday, November 12, 2035 |
| 2040 | Sunday | Monday, November 12, 2040 | Closed Monday, November 12, 2040 |
| 2045 | Saturday | Friday, November 10, 2045 | Open the Friday before |
Computed from the calendar using the rules above. OPM's own pages note the same shifts for 2017 (Friday, November 10) and 2018 (Monday, November 12).
What is open and closed on Veterans Day 2026
| Who | Status | Details and sources |
|---|---|---|
| Federal offices and agencies | Closed | Veterans Day is a legal public holiday under 5 U.S.C. 6103 and OPM lists Wednesday, November 11, 2026 as a federal holiday. Most federal employees are off; employees whose work is required that day are covered by the holiday pay rules below. Source: OPM: 2026 federal holidays · 5 U.S.C. 6103 (legal public holidays) |
| U.S. Postal Service | Closed | USPS lists Wednesday, November 11 as Veterans Day on its 2026 holidays page. Post Offices close and regular mail is not delivered. In 2025 USPS said only Priority Mail Express was delivered and regular service resumed the next day; that is 2025 practice, so confirm 2026 details with USPS. Source: USPS: 2026 holidays and events · USPS: Veterans Day 2025 news release (2025 delivery details) |
| Banks and credit unions | Varies | The Federal Reserve Banks are closed on November 11, 2026 and FedACH does not process that day. Most bank branches close, but each bank sets its own hours, so check with your bank. Source: Federal Reserve Financial Services: holiday schedules · Federal Reserve Board: holiday schedule |
| Direct deposit and ACH transfers | Closed | FedACH does not process on Veterans Day: processing ends at 11:30 p.m. ET on November 10 and resumes at 5:30 p.m. ET on November 11. Plan on Thursday, November 12 as the first normal banking day after the holiday. Source: Federal Reserve Financial Services: holiday schedules |
| Stock market (NYSE and Nasdaq) | Open | Stocks trade normally on Veterans Day: neither the NYSE nor the Nasdaq lists a Veterans Day closure in 2026. Trading is open at regular hours even though banks are closed, so moving cash in or out of a brokerage account waits for the banking system. Source: NYSE: holidays and trading hours · Nasdaq: 2026 holiday schedule |
| Bond market | Closed | SIFMA recommends a full close on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 for the U.S. bond market, with no early-close recommendation for that date. Source: SIFMA: U.S. holiday schedule |
| Public schools | Varies | The federal holiday law covers federal employees; it does not set school calendars. Closures differ by district and state, so check your district calendar. |
| State and local offices, courts, libraries | Varies | The federal holiday law covers federal employees. States, cities, courts and libraries set their own holiday schedules and observed days, so confirm with the office you need. |
Closures marked "varies" are set locally. Check with the business, school or office before you go.
Federal pay and holiday rules
Federal employees on a Monday to Friday schedule are off on Veterans Day, a legal public holiday (5 U.S.C. 6103). An employee who is required to work on a holiday is paid their basic rate plus premium pay equal to the basic rate for up to 8 hours of non-overtime work (5 U.S.C. 5546(b)); other rules apply to overtime and to special schedules. See the 2026 federal pay period calendar for the dates.
This is general information, not legal or HR advice. Your agency's HR office and your pay system decide how the rules apply to you.
Military and VA payments around Veterans Day 2026
Veterans Day does not move a payday in 2026 because November 11 is not the 1st or the 15th. DFAS's 2026 active duty payday schedule lists the three paydays around it. Pay due on a weekend or holiday is paid the preceding business day. Check myPay for your own deposit.
- DFAS lists Friday, October 30, 2026 for pay due Sunday, November 1, 2026, which is a weekend.
- DFAS lists Friday, November 13, 2026 for pay due Sunday, November 15, 2026, which is a weekend.
- DFAS lists Tuesday, December 1, 2026 for pay due Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
- VA disability compensation for October: deposited Friday, October 30, 2026. November 1 is a Sunday, so payment moves to the Friday before (38 U.S.C. 5120(e)).
- VA disability compensation for November: deposited Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
Direct deposits that land on the holiday itself are not processed because FedACH is closed, so nothing should be scheduled for November 11. Full schedules: military pay dates, VA disability pay dates and the VA disability pay chart.
Veterans Day 2026 offers for veterans and military
Offers last checked October 25, 2026.
FedRateCalc is independent and not affiliated with the businesses listed, VA, DoD or the National Park Service; brand names only identify the offers. Terms are set by each business: confirm with the location before you go.
Chili's Grill & Bar
A free meal for veterans and active military on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at participating restaurants.
- Date:
- Wednesday, November 11, 2026 only.
- Who qualifies:
- Veterans and active military members.
- Proof of service:
- The page does not name an accepted ID; bring military or veteran ID and confirm with the restaurant.
- Terms:
- Dine-in only, limited menu, valid only on 11/11/2026, no substitutions; beverages and gratuity not included.
Source: Chili's Veterans Day page · verified October 25, 2026
Red Robin
A free Red's Big Tavern Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries for veterans and active-duty military on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
- Date:
- Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
- Who qualifies:
- Veterans and active-duty military members.
- Proof of service:
- A valid military ID or proof of service.
- Terms:
- One free burger, dine-in only at participating restaurants, with a valid military ID or proof of service. No purchase necessary. The offer excludes modifications and other burger styles and is not valid with any other offer or discount, including Red Robin Royalty rewards.
Source: Red Robin press release, October 22, 2026 · verified October 25, 2026
Chipotle
Free regular-size chips and your choice of dip (guac, Queso Blanco or salsa) with a $5 in-restaurant purchase, all day on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at participating U.S. restaurants.
- Date:
- Wednesday, November 11, 2026, during business hours.
- Who qualifies:
- Active-duty U.S. service members and veterans with valid proof of eligibility.
- Proof of service:
- A valid military ID, VA-issued veteran ID/health ID, a state-issued ID with a Veteran designation, or discharge paperwork.
- Terms:
- The $5 purchase excludes the free item, taxes and tips. In-restaurant only; not valid for catering, mobile, online or delivery orders. May not otherwise be combined with other coupons, promotions or special offers, and redemption is subject to availability.
Chipotle's release is dated November 5, 2026; we'll recheck it then.
Source: Chipotle newsroom release (dated November 5, 2026) · verified October 25, 2026
Hy-Vee
A free breakfast for veterans and active-duty military personnel on Wednesday, November 11, from 6 to 10 a.m., plus 15% off groceries.
- Date:
- Wednesday, November 11, 6 to 10 a.m.
- Who qualifies:
- All veterans and active-duty military personnel.
- Proof of service:
- The page lists no ID requirement; ask your store what to bring.
- Terms:
- The 15% grocery discount applies to in-store and online orders placed November 11 with code VETS2026.
Source: Hy-Vee Veterans Day Breakfast 2026 page (posted October 14, 2026) · verified October 25, 2026
LEGOLAND Florida
Free admission for eligible U.S. military and first responders on visits from October 1 to November 30, 2026. Veterans should confirm eligibility with the park or an ITT office. Not a Veterans Day-only offer.
- Date:
- Visits from October 1 to November 30, 2026.
- Who qualifies:
- Military and first responders. For veterans, non-active military and military families the page says to check with your local ITT office on base; confirm with the park.
- Proof of service:
- You will have to present your valid military ID to purchase tickets, per the page.
- Terms:
- Up to 6 guests visiting with the service member save 50% on tickets. Offer ends November 30, 2026. Savings are based on a full-priced ticket bought in person at the gate. Military discounts apply to 1- or 2-day theme park tickets or multi-park tickets, and annual passes are excluded.
Source: LEGOLAND Florida military offers · verified October 25, 2026
LEGOLAND New York
Free admission for eligible U.S. military, veterans and first responders on visits from October 1 to November 30, 2026. Not a Veterans Day-only offer.
- Date:
- Visits from October 1 to November 30, 2026.
- Who qualifies:
- United States Military, Veterans, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, EMTs and firefighters.
- Proof of service:
- The New York page does not name an accepted ID; bring military ID and confirm with the park before you go.
- Terms:
- Valid on operating days in that window. The park runs a fall schedule, so check the park calendar for Veterans Day before planning a visit. Up to 6 guests visiting with the service member save 50% on tickets. Savings are based on a full-priced ticket bought in person at the gate.
Source: LEGOLAND New York military offers · verified October 25, 2026
National WWI Museum and Memorial
Free admission for veterans and active-duty military during the 2026 Centennial Veterans Day Weekend; the public gets half-price general admission.
- Date:
- Friday, November 6 to Monday, November 9, and Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
- Who qualifies:
- Veterans and active-duty military.
- Proof of service:
- The page names no ID or proof-of-service rule; confirm with the museum before you go.
- Terms:
- Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is closed Tuesday, November 10.
Source: National WWI Museum and Memorial Veterans Day page · verified October 25, 2026
National Park Service
Free entrance on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee. This is open to U.S. citizens and residents, not only veterans.
- Date:
- Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
- Who qualifies:
- Everyone who is a US citizen or resident; no veteran status is needed.
- Proof of service:
- The page names no veteran ID rule because the day is not veteran-specific.
- Terms:
- Other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply. Nonresidents pay the regular entrance fee.
Source: NPS fee-free days page (last updated October 9, 2026) · verified October 25, 2026
See the full list with proof-of-service tips on Veterans Day free meals 2026.
This list is short on purpose. It includes only offers a business has announced for 2026 on its own website or press release. Most businesses announce in early November, and this page will be updated as they do. Offers from past years are not shown. Bring proof of service where required and confirm terms with your location.
Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Armistice Day
Veterans Day is meant to thank and honor all who served honorably in the military, in war or peace, and VA says it is largely meant to thank living veterans. Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, remembers those who died in service.
The date marks the armistice that took effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. Congress made November 11 a legal holiday called Armistice Day in 1938, and in 1954 changed the name to Veterans Day. A 1968 law (the Uniform Holiday Bill) moved the federal observance to a Monday, and VA notes it was later restored to November 11. A law enacted in 2016 directs the President to issue an annual proclamation calling on the people to observe two minutes of silence on Veterans Day, beginning at 2:11 p.m. Eastern (36 U.S.C. 145).
Veterans Day 2026 questions
What day is Veterans Day 2026?
Veterans Day 2026 is Wednesday, November 11, 2026. OPM lists it as a federal holiday on that date, and it is not moved because it falls on a weekday.
When is Veterans Day observed in 2026?
On Wednesday, November 11, 2026. A federal holiday is shifted only when it falls on a weekend: a Saturday holiday is observed for federal pay and leave on the Friday before (5 U.S.C. 6103(b)) and a Sunday holiday on the Monday after (Executive Order 11582).
Is there a Veterans Day weekend in 2026?
Not a long one. November 11 is a Wednesday, so federal employees get a one-day midweek holiday. The next weekend is November 14 and 15.
Is the stock market open on Veterans Day 2026?
Yes. The NYSE and Nasdaq do not list a Veterans Day closure for 2026. The bond market (per SIFMA) and the Federal Reserve Banks are closed, so bank transfers wait.
Is mail delivered on Veterans Day 2026?
Do not expect regular delivery. USPS closed all Post Offices on November 11, 2025 and delivered only Priority Mail Express, with regular service resuming the next day. USPS lists November 11, 2026 as Veterans Day on its 2026 holidays page; confirm local details with USPS.
Does Veterans Day change my VA or military pay date?
No. November 11 is not a payday. DFAS lists active-duty pay on Friday, October 30, Friday, November 13 and Tuesday, December 1, 2026; the first two are earlier because November 1 and November 15 are Sundays and pay due on a weekend or holiday is paid the preceding business day. Check myPay for your own deposit. VA pays November benefits on Tuesday, December 1.
Do federal employees get extra pay for working on Veterans Day?
An employee required to work on a holiday is generally paid their basic rate plus premium pay equal to the basic rate for up to 8 hours of non-overtime holiday work (5 U.S.C. 5546(b)). Your agency and pay system determine how it applies, so ask your HR office.
Are the free offers on this page confirmed?
Only offers that a business has announced on its own website or press release for 2026 are listed, each with its source and the date we verified it. Many businesses announce in early November, so check back, and confirm terms with the location before you go.
Sources: OPM: 2026 federal holidays · 5 U.S.C. 6103 (legal public holidays) · 5 U.S.C. 5546 (holiday premium pay) · 38 U.S.C. 5120 (VA payment dates) · 36 U.S.C. 145 (Veterans Day moment of silence) · Federal Reserve Financial Services: holiday schedules · Federal Reserve Board: holiday schedule · NYSE: holidays and trading hours · Nasdaq: 2026 holiday schedule · SIFMA: U.S. holiday schedule · USPS: 2026 holidays and events · USPS: Veterans Day 2025 news release (2025 delivery details) · DFAS: 2026 active duty paydays · VA: history of Veterans Day · VA News: Veterans Day vs. Memorial Day