Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov 11, 2026. Here's what we could actually find for this year, and how sure we are of it. Chains can opt out location by location, so bring your ID and call first. Last checked Nov 2.
On Nov 11
- Nashville Veterans Day Parade, Broadway. Free to watch. Nashville Parent lists festivities at 9 AM and the parade at 11:11 AM. Veteran.com says 11 AM, from 13th Avenue to 1st Avenue. We couldn't find an organizer's page, so get there early.
- Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, downtown. Free admission for service members and up to three immediate family, per Nashville Parent. Last year's terms covered active duty and retired military, so call before you go if you're neither.
- La Vergne ceremony. 11 AM to noon in the City Hall Board Room, 5093 Murfreesboro Road. City calendar.
- Metro offices. Most are closed. Essential services stay open. Nashville.gov.
Running for more than one day
- Lane Motor Museum, 702 Murfreesboro Pike. Free for veterans and active duty, plus three guests, Nov 5 to 23, 10 AM to 5 PM. Bring military ID. Visit Music City.
- Field of Honor, Andrew Jackson's Hermitage. 1,000 flags on Victory Field. Free and open to the public, Nov 5 to 14, 9 AM to 4 PM. That covers the field, not paid Hermitage admission. Healing Field.
- Cheekwood. Half off Gardens & Mansion or Gardens Only for active duty and retired military, up to five people, year-round. Not valid for special events. Cheekwood.
Not on Nov 11, so don't show up on the wrong day
- Sat, Nov 7: VA Tennessee Valley Veterans Day Parade at the Alvin C. York VA Medical Center, Murfreesboro.
- Sat, Nov 7: Craig Morgan's Veterans Day 5K at the Opry, 8 AM. Paid race.
- Sun, Nov 8: Nashville Zoo Military Appreciation Day. Free for active duty, veterans and immediate family. Parking fees apply. Military.com.
- Thu, Nov 12: Veterans and Military Family Night at Adventure Science Center, 3:30 to 7 PM. Free, limited space, reserve ahead.
Free meals at chains on Nov 11
These come from the VA News list and the Military.com list. Unless noted, they're dine-in with proof of service, and drinks and tip are on you.
- Applebee's: free entrée from the Veterans Day menu.
- Chili's: free meal from a short list.
- Golden Corral: free dinner buffet and drink, 4 PM to close.
- Red Robin: free Red's Big Tavern Burger with bottomless steak fries.
- Olive Garden: free entrée from a special menu.
- Red Lobster: free Shrimp & Chips.
- Denny's: free Original Grand Slam, 5 AM to noon.
- IHOP: free Red, White & Blueberry Pancake Combo.
- Outback Steakhouse: free Bloomin' Onion and drink, Nov 10 and 11.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: free boneless wings and fries.
- Bonefish Grill: free Bang Bang Shrimp and a non-alcoholic drink.
- Logan's Roadhouse: free meal from the Veterans Day menu, 11 AM to 3 PM.
- Hard Rock Cafe: free Classic Smash Burger.
- Dave & Buster's: free entrée, up to a set value, plus a Power Card.
- Perry's Steakhouse & Grille: free pork chop when you buy a guest a full-priced entrée, 4 PM to close. Reservations required.
- Texas Roadhouse: not a meal that day. Pick up a voucher 11 AM to 2 PM, good through May 31, 2027.
- Starbucks: free tall brewed coffee, military spouses included.
- Dunkin': free donut for active and retired military, in-store.
Discounts and haircuts
- Publix: 10% off groceries, standard exclusions.
- Kohl's: 30% off in-store, Nov 10 and 11, exclusions apply.
- Great Clips: free haircut for veterans and active duty.
- Sport Clips: free or discounted haircut at participating shops.
Local spots
No independent Nashville restaurant has posted a 2026 offer we could confirm yet. Several ran one last year, and we're not going to send you there on a hunch. We'll check again before the 11th.
Know of a local spot doing something this year? Tell the Chicken and we'll check it out.
Thank you to everyone who served.