Many businesses thank veterans and active military members by offering them a free meal or other gift on Veterans Day, which is Wednesday, November 11, 2026. If you’re a member of the military, please check out this list, and see if there’s a deal that you might be able to take advantage of. We will be updating this list very soon for 2026!
We have updated the list of Veterans Day ceremonies, parades and festivals, however, so keep reading@!
If you’re not a military member, you probably know one. Why not share this information and also thank them as well?
This is a growing list, so make sure to bookmark and check back. If you’re not yet an email subscriber to Charlotte on the Cheap, subscribe now so you won’t miss a thing!
Free and discounted food and drink
Participating locations only. Most restaurants will require some proof of service. Follow the links for details on those requirements. Check back soon! We will be adding food and drinks for 2026 as they’re announced.
Other Freebies and discounts
Schiele Museum
Schiele Museum of Natural History, at 1500 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, North Carolina, is offering free admission to veterans, active military personnel and their families on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
Please show your military ID at check-in. No reservations are required. Free admission is valid for up to 5 family members.
North Carolina Zoo
North Carolina Zoo: Military members and their spouses can get free admission to the North Carolina Zoo from November 7 to 13, 2026. In addition, they can bring up to three guests with them for free. Make sure to read all the details.
Great Clips
Thank a Veteran at Great Clips works in two ways. First, every year on November 11, veterans and active service members can come into any U.S. Great Clips salon and get a free haircut, or a free haircut card for a future visit. So if you’re a service member or veteran, be sure to stop by a salon on Veterans Day so we can say “Thank you!”
Second, if you’re a non-military customer, you can visit a salon on November 11 and receive a free haircut card to give to a service member or veteran as a way of saying thank you.
Veterans Day Events
Veterans Day Events in Mooresville
The Town of Mooresville is hosting a whole week of Veterans Day events, including a ceremony, parade, flag processional, free meals for veterans, and more.
Salute to Veterans Parade
The annual Veterans Day Parade will take place on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 11 a.m. The parade will start at North Tryon Street (between 9th and 10th Streets) and proceed down Tryon Street to Brooklyn Village Avenue.
Carolina Veterans Festival
After the parade head to Romare Bearden Park, 300 S Church Street, Charlotte, NC, for the Carolina Veterans Festival, which will feature live music, vendors, military tributes and more. It takes place Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free to attend.
Veterans Salute 5K/10K/Fun Run
These races take place on November 7, 2026, in Downtown Concord. There’s a cost for the 5K and 10K, but the one-mile Fun Run is free. There’s also a kids’ zone at the event.
Veterans Day Celebration in Belmont
Downtown Belmont is hosting an early Veterans Day Celebration on Sunday, November 8, 2026, in Stowe Park, 24 S Main Street, Belmont, North Carolina, from 2 to 4 p.m. The event includes live music, a flag ceremony, a military vehicle display and a Christmas card station.
Town of Davidson’s Veterans Day Program
The Town of Davidson is holding a Veterans Day Program on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 11 a.m., inside Davidson Town Hall, 251 South Street, Davidson, North Carolina.
Town of Waxhaw Veterans Day Ceremony
The annual Waxhaw Veterans Day ceremony takes place at the Waxhaw Military Wall of Honor, 105 E. North Main Street, Waxhaw, North Carolona, on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 11 a.m.
Veterans Day Program in Cornelius
The Veterans Day program in Cornelius will take place Wednesday, November 11, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Veterans Monument at Rotary Plaza, 21445 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius, North Carolina, behind the Cornelius Town Hall.
Veterans Day Ceremony in Indian Trail
Town of Indian Trail’s Veterans Day ceremony takes place Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 6 p.m., at Indian Trail Town Hall, 315 Matthews-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail.
Veterans Day Parade Ceremony in Huntersville
The parade and ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 14, 2026. The parade will start at 9:30 a.m., and will end at Veterans Park, 201 Huntersville-Concord Road, Huntersville, NC, where the ceremony will take place at 11 a.m.
Full Calendar for Veterans Day Weekend
If you’re looking for something to do around Veterans Day, here’s Charlotte on the Cheap’s full calendar of events from the weekend before to the weekend after Veterans Day.
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