Veterans Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, November 11, and restaurants, retailers, attractions and service businesses across the United States are marking the day with free meals, discounts and freebies for veterans and active-duty service members. Most offers run on November 11 only, at participating locations, and almost all require proof of service.
Veterans planning to use these offers should bring a VA Veteran ID Card, a veteran-designated driver’s license, a VA health card or a DD-214 copy, since that covers nearly every restaurant and store on this list. Participation varies by location, so calling the nearest branch before heading out is worth the minute it takes.
Free meals
| Brand | Deal | When | Who / Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applebee’s | Free dine-in entrée from a special Veterans Day menu | Nov 11 | Veterans and active-duty military, proof of service required |
| Chili’s | Free entrée from a select Veterans Day menu | Nov 11 | Participating locations, dine-in only, ID required |
| Bob Evans | Free meal from a special menu | Nov 11 | Dine-in only, valid service ID |
| Golden Corral | Free buffet dinner (Military Appreciation Night) | Nov 11 | Dine-in only |
| Denny’s | Free Original Grand Slam | Nov 11, 5 a.m. to noon | Dine-in only, ID required |
| Red Lobster | Free Shrimp and Chips meal | Nov 11 | Veterans, active-duty military and reservists, dine-in only, ID required |
| Red Robin | Free Red’s Big Tavern Burger with bottomless fries | Nov 11 | Dine-in only, ID required |
| Ruby Tuesday | Free meal valued at up to $17.99 (13 select entrées, Garden Bar, bottomless drink) | Nov 11 | Veterans and active-duty military, including Reserve and National Guard, proof of service, dine-in only, participating locations |
| Bonefish Grill | Free Bang Bang Shrimp entrée plus a non-alcoholic drink | Nov 11 | Veterans, active-duty military and families, ID |
| Smashburger | Free All-American Smashburger | Nov 11 | Participating locations, ID required |
| Starbucks | Free 12-ounce hot or iced brewed coffee | Nov 11 | Veterans, service members and spouses, participating stores |
| Chipotle | Free chips with guac, queso blanco or salsa with a $5 purchase | Nov 11 | Participating locations |
| Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers | Free combo-meal card | Nov 11 (redeemable through Nov 25, 2026) | Veterans and active-duty military |
| Aspen Creek Grill | Free $15 meal voucher | Nov 11, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (redeemable through Dec 24, 2026) | Dine-in only, ID required |
| In-N-Out Burger | Complimentary meal (any burger, fries and beverage) plus Veterans Day decal | Nov 11 | Veterans, active-duty military, Reserve and National Guard, proof of service |
| Olive Garden | Free entrée from a special Veterans Day menu | Nov 11 | Dine-in only, proof of service required |
Fast food deals
| Brand | Deal | When | Who / Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Torchy’s Tacos | Free taco plus a drink | Nov 11 | In-store only, proof of service required |
| Rubio’s | Buy one entrée, get one free (code VETS26) | Nov 11 | In-store only, military ID |
| Sizzler | Complimentary lunch and non-alcoholic beverage (6 oz. Tri-Tip Sirloin Steak, Malibu Chicken or half a dozen Crispy Shrimp) | Nov 11, open until 4 p.m. | Veterans and active-duty service members |
| WOB Bar and Kitchen | Free Smash Burger and a side of fries | Nov 11 | Participating locations |
| Yard House | Free appetizer | Nov 11 | Veterans and active-duty military |
| Bar Louie | Free burger (excluding the Big Louie) | Nov 10 and 11 | Dine-in only, ID required |
| McCormick and Schmick’s | Half-priced entrée | Nov 8, 2026 | Veterans, Gold Star families and active-duty military |
| Cotton Patch Cafe | Free Chicken Fried Steak or Chicken Fried Chicken entrée | Nov 11 | Dine-in only, military ID |
| Margaritas Mexican Restaurant | 50 percent off an entrée | Nov 11 | Dine-in, Northeast locations |
Retail and grocery discounts
| Store | Deal | When | Who / Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walgreens | 20 percent off eligible regular-priced items | Nov 11 | Veterans, active-duty military and immediate families, standard exclusions |
| Kohl’s | 30 percent off in-store | Nov 10 and 11, 2026 | Military members, veterans and families, valid ID, exclusions apply |
| Publix | 10 percent off groceries | Nov 11 | Veterans, active-duty military and families, proof of service, standard exclusions |
| Food Lion | 10 percent off in-store | Nov 11 | Veterans and active-duty service members, military ID and MVP card |
| Rack Room Shoes | 20 percent off in-store | Veterans Day | Veterans, active-duty military and dependents, ID required |
Free haircuts
| Brand | Deal | When | Who / Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Clips | Free haircut (anyone getting a haircut that day can request a free haircut card to give a veteran) | Nov 11 | Veterans and active-duty military |
| Sport Clips | Free or discounted haircuts | Nov 11 | Participating locations, valid ID |
Attractions and national parks
| Place | Deal | When | Who / Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Park Service | Free park entry (fee-free day); free annual and lifetime pass for military and veterans | Nov 11 | All visitors (entry); military members and veterans (pass) |
| Colonial Williamsburg | Free admission | Nov 6 to 11, 2026 | Active-duty military, retirees, veterans, Guard and Reserve members and dependents, ID required |
| Legoland Florida and New York | Free admission plus discounted tickets for accompanying guests | Oct 1 to Nov 30, 2026 | Military personnel, veterans and first responders |
| Harley-Davidson Museum (Milwaukee) | Free admission plus 10 percent off at the shop and restaurant | Nov 11 | Veterans and active-duty military plus one adult guest and up to four children |
| National WWI Museum and Memorial | Free admission (public half-price) | Nov 6 to 9 and 11 | Veterans and active-duty military |
Veterans Day deals FAQs
When is Veterans Day 2026?
Veterans Day 2026 is Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Some offers run on other dates, such as Bar Louie on November 10 and 11, Kohl’s on November 10 and 11, and Colonial Williamsburg from November 6 to 11, so checking the dates for each offer matters.
Who qualifies for Veterans Day deals?
Each business sets its own rules. Most offers cover veterans and active-duty military, some include Guard and Reserve members, and a few extend to families, such as Bonefish Grill and Walgreens. A free meal for someone who served does not automatically cover the whole family.
What proof of service should I bring?
A VA Veteran ID Card, a veteran-designated driver’s license, a VA health card or a DD-214 copy covers nearly every offer on this list. Online discounts may need a separate verification step before checkout.
Are the free meals dine-in only?
Nearly all of the free meals are dine-in only at participating locations. Drinks, tax and tips are usually extra, and most offers cannot be combined with other coupons or discounts.
Can a deal be saved for later?
Some can. Freddy’s combo-meal card is redeemable through November 25, 2026, and Aspen Creek Grill’s voucher is redeemable through December 24, 2026. Most free meals, though, are valid on November 11 only.
