How to Celebrate Veterans Day in Dallas
Spend Veterans Day in Dallas with history tours, memorial sites, awareness walks, and discounts at local restaurants.
Ever since the holiday’s creation as Armistice Day in 1919, Dallas has been supporting veterans and their families every November 11th. This year, spend the federal holiday in town with local events and activities to make the most of the commemorative day. If you are a veteran, don’t miss out on the local deals and discounts available to you, as well as the veteran resources.
2026 Events
Veterans Day Walk
When: November 7, 2026 | 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Where: Reverchon Park | 3505 Maple Avenue
Carry the Load is a local veteran-run non-profit that sets out to support servicemen and women by raising awareness and funds and running community events. This Veterans Day, the non-profit organization is hosting a free Veterans Day Walk along the Katy Trail at Reverchon Park to honor all veterans who sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom. The walk welcomes individuals, families, and dogs to participate in the awareness project.
After check-in at 8:30, guests are welcome to join the Adaptive Training Foundation in a warm-up class before the 3-mile route. Register for the event by visiting the Blackbaud page for the Carry the Load event.
If you register before October 25th, you’ll be able to pick up a shirt on the day of the event.
Local Tip: Snooze, an AM Eatery, is a local restaurant within a 5-minute drive of the park that opens early and can be a great place to fuel up prior to the walk/run.
Guided Permanent Exhibition Tour: War and Veterans
When: Select Sundays | 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Where: Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum | 300 N Houston Street
Commemorate Veterans Day by honoring the men and women who served in World War II with the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum’s new guided tour that places veteran stories at the forefront of their exhibits. The tour is included in the general admission ticket and departs from the lobby at 1:30 PM.
Move through the exhibit while learning the stories of liberators from the Second World War and local Dallas men and women who fought for the freedom and safety of individuals overseas.
Local Tip: The contents of the museum are heavy but necessary, especially on days like Veterans Day. And, since the museum can take up to three hours to explore, planning a decompression activity afterwards is an invaluable addition to your day. Visit a coffee shop, walk in a local park, or spend some reflective time at a memorial.
Free Admission to George W. Bush Presidential Museum
When: November 7, 2026 | 9 AM - 5 AM
Where: George W. Bush Presidential Center | 2943 SMU Boulevard
To celebrate Veterans Day, the George W. Bush Presidential Museum is opening with free admission for the day. Whether you’ve served or you are a civilian, stop by the museum to learn more about our 43rd president and the significant cultural and political changes that took place under his administration.
The museum can take some time to explore, be sure to carve out about two to three hours to fully experience the entire museum. And, don’t forget to explore the outdoor areas that also feature educational plaques and statues.
Local Tip: Plan your parking beforehand. The onsite parking is paid and the lot is small, consider looking at nearby street parking/parking garages.
2026 Activities
1. Support Veteran-Owned Restaurants and Businesses
Veterans are the backbone of our community in Dallas. Their businesses sustain each corner of our lives, with coffee shops, tea brands, tree removal services, insulation installers, house painters, inspection specialists, media companies, and so much more.
On Veterans Day, show your support by shopping at local businesses owned by veterans. Whether that’s opting for a new cafe or lunch spot, or finally scheduling those pesky home improvement projects you’ve been putting off, choosing a veteran-owned company is a great way to celebrate and honor military men and women on Veterans Day.
You can find a huge selection of veteran-owned businesses in the area by using the online Veteran-owned Business Directory tool to discover new shops and brands in Dallas. Unable to support on November 11th? Consider doing so throughout the month, since the month is Veterans Month.
2. Volunteer at a Local Veterans Organization
There are plenty of volunteer opportunities available throughout Veterans Day weekend in Dallas. Choose to dedicate your time to a local veterans organization or commit a few hours to a national service; showing support in this way can have a meaningful impact on the lives of local veterans and their families.
The Veterans Resource Center of Dallas has a variety of volunteer opportunities available, including direct service, community service, and special events. These provide you with options for involvement and allow you to find a role that utilizes your skills to help a good cause.
3. Educate Yourself By Visiting A Memorial or Museum
Take the day to educate yourself on the efforts of the servicemen and women. In Dallas, we have a collection of museums that provide great insight that can be invaluable in connecting with veterans in our area.
Texas Vietnam Veterans Memorial
A portion of Fair Park, where the State Fair is hosted, is Veterans Park, where you’ll find the Texas Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The great structure features a large metal scaffold above slabs of Texas granite that read the names of the fallen Texas soldiers of the Vietnam War. Tucked behind the memorial is a serene water feature, known as “The Wall.”
Memorial Path
Walk the Memorial Path, a paved walking trail, lined with stone memorials honoring prisoners of war, America’s Airborne forces, the 340th Bomb Group, special forces, Korean War veterans, the Marine Corps, and the women who served within the Marine Corps. The path is located on the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery grounds. As you navigate the walkway, stop to read each stone, which has a short dedication on it.
Discounts and Deals
What better way to celebrate your efforts as a veteran than with Veterans Day discounts and deals? These businesses in the Dallas area are excited to show their support with free meals, free haircuts, food vouchers, and free drinks!
To be eligible for these discounts, please review the businesses’ official websites and have your military ID ready as proof of service.
Below are the confirmed 2026 deals offered on Veterans Day:
Where | Deal | Requirements |
| Bonefish Grill | Complimentary Bang Bang Shrimp and nonalcoholic beverage | Proper ID |
| Golden Corral | Free meal | Only offered for dining between 4 pm and close |
| Chili’s Bar and Grill | Free Meal | Must be an offering on the special Veterans Day menu |
| Applebee’s | Free lunch or dinner | Must be an offering on the special Veterans Day menu |
| Fireside Sub | Free medium sub, chips or a cookie, and a drink | Only available at participating locations |
| Texas Roadhouse | Free meal voucher | Must be an offering on the special Veterans Day menu (voucher valid until May 2027) |
| Sports Clip | Free Haircuts | Only available at participating locations |
Find more local deals by visiting our Dallas Deals page for more available promotions and discounts.
Veteran Resources
If you’re a veteran or you have a loved one who has served, we are here to support you. Dallas is home to many resources and organizations with skills available to veterans for any needs, from career coaching to group support and more.
Dallas Resources
- Carry the Load: Carry the Load runs events and fundraising programs to support veterans and their families.
- Dallas Vet Center: The Dallas Vet Center hosts mental health support groups and counseling for PTSD, families, grief, and trauma.
- Daniel & Salvador Montoya HEROES Foundation: The HEROES Foundation provides career coaching, training, and job searching assistance to veterans and their families to help them transition from an active-duty lifestyle to civilian life.
National/Statewide Services
- Texas Veterans Commission: The TVC provides advocates for veterans to help them receive proper health care, mental health support, business grants, and more.
- Veterans Crisis Line | Dial 988, then press 1
- National Call Center for Homeless Veterans | (1-877-424-3838)
Important Notices for the Federal Holiday
Veterans Day is a federal holiday, so while you commemorate the holiday however you prefer, keep in mind that some citywide services may be operating on a different schedule.
City offices, public libraries, sanitation services, municipal courts, administrative offices for local police and fire rescue, animal services, and public recreation centers may be closed; be sure to review their schedules or call ahead to confirm their availability.
Note: The DART will operate under its usual schedule on Veterans Day.
Find even more ways to spend Veterans Day by visiting our Things To Do page, which includes attractions, museums, memorials, and experiences for you to enjoy while in Dallas.
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