Veterans Day Celebrations in Cincinnati {2024}

Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States and is observed on November 11 each year. The day is set aside to honor our military veterans, those who have served their country.

The Cincinnati area is proud to honor our veterans with these special 2024 Veterans Day events and freebies:

Veterans Day Events in Cincinnati:

November 9: DAV 5k, Run to Honor Veterans. The DAV 5K Cincinnati is a walk, roll, run, and ride that thanks those who served and raises awareness of the issues our ill and injured veterans face every day. The DAV 5K will be held at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, OH.

November 9: The Tri-State Warbird Museum is Celebrating Veterans Day, 11am-12:30pm. Enjoy Coffee with Kilroy at 11am (coffee and donuts sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts,free for Veterans). The Kidz Zone will be open from 11am to 12:30pm. 2 veterans will win a ride for the T-6 & P-51 Flight Demo (weather depending). Admission is complimentary for WWII Veterans and for all Veterans in uniform. Admission charged.

November 10: The Honor Run (Florence, Ky) returns for 2024. All proceeds from the Honor Run Half Marathon, 10K Run/Walk, and 5K Run/Walk are donated to Honor Flight Tri State to help send our local Veterans who have served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam to Washington DC for the day to see the memorials that they have earned.

November 10: There will be a Veterans Day Parade in Batavia starting at 2pm. The parade travels down Main Street from Haskell Lane to Clermont Sun Offices. There will be a program on the steps of the Courthouse in Batavia starting at 1:30pm.

November 11:  VFW Post 10380 Veterans Day Ceremony 11am-12pm at Veteran’s Park Plaza (6231 Harrison Ave). The public is invited to this ceremony to commemorate local veterans and honor their dedication to serving the United States of America.

November 11: Blue Ash Veterans Day Ceremony and Luncheon will take place starting at 10:30am. NOTE: Due to the remaining construction items at Towne Square combined with weather issues in the past, the event will be held at the Blue Ash Recreation Center this year, 4433 Cooper Road.
The event will feature a memorial ceremony, tolling of bells, patriotic music from the Ohio Military Band, and inspiring words from the keynote speaker, Major General John D. Altenburg, Jr. Plus, students from Edwin H. Greene Intermediate School will read patriotic essays and participate in a touching wreath-laying ceremony. Following the ceremony, join in for a luncheon in which Blue Ash Mayor Jill Cole and the Veterans Committee will recognize the 2024 Veteran of the Year. The meal is served at the Recreation Center by members of the 123rd Air Control Squadron. Cost is $7 per person.

November 11: The Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library hosts a Veterans Day Commemoration at the Downtown Main Library, 10:30am-noon. Featuring keynote remarks from Persian Gulf War and the Bosian War Veteran Kelly Knox, this annual event is dedicated to the men and women who serve our country. New this year is a showcase of the recently-opened Veterans History area at the Catherine C. and Thomas E. Huenefeld Story Center. Attendees will be able to browse local veterans history and record their own stories and memories at the Story Center Studio.

Free Admission for Veterans:

B105 Military Days at the Cincinnati Zoo: All members of the military — active and retired — will receive FREE admission to the Zoo on Veteran’s Day.  The offer also allows military personnel to purchase up to six (6) discount admission tickets for members of their immediate family. Military personnel who qualify for the free admission ticket and discount offer for family members include active military, retired military, National Guard, veterans with an honorable or medical discharge and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps with government-issued ID.  Simply present your credentials at the turnstiles on Nov. 11, 2024.  Guests with discounted tickets must enter with military personnel who is eligible for free entry.

Light Up the Fair (Boone County Fairgrounds, Ky) honored the service and sacrifice of our esteemed veterans with complimentary admission to the light show in 2023. Updates coming for 2024.

Free Meals for Veterans on 11-11-24:

Bob Evans: 2024 updates to come! Veterans and Active Duty Military, this Veterans’ Day your meal is on Bob Evans. Guests who dine in at their local Bob Evans Restaurant on November 11, 2023 can choose from one of 10 farm-fresh breakfast items from a special menu available all day. The offering is part of Bob Evans longstanding support for the military community, saluting the life and legacy of founder Bob Evans, a veteran himself. Dine-in only, beverage not included. Guests wishing to enjoy a free Veterans Day meal must provide proof of service. Accepted identification includes: US Uniformed Services ID Card, US Uniformed Services Retired Card, current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), veterans organization card (i.e. American Legion, VFW), photograph of yourself in uniform, wearing uniform, DD214, and citation or commendation.

Chili’s Grill and Bar: All veterans & active military members can get a free meal on Veterans Day November 11, 2024 at all participating Chili’s Grill & Bar restaurants. Available in-restaurant only for select items.

Gold Star Chili: Gold Star will offer a complimentary meal (up to a $12 value) to all veterans and active-duty military on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, at all of Gold Star’s 60+ locations throughout Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Guests simply need to present one of the following forms of military identification to receive this offer: serviceman or woman in uniform, U.S. Uniformed Services ID card or U.S. Uniformed Services Retired ID card, any veterans’ organization membership card (VFW, American Legion, etc.), military commendation, leave or earnings statement, photograph in uniform.

Golden Corral: Golden Corral is proud to have honored our active and former military members for 20+ years through Military Appreciation Night. Military Appreciation Night will be held on November 11, 2024 from 4pm – close. They will once again be honoring our military heroes with a free “thank you” meal.

Red Robin: Red Robin salutes America’s Heroes with free burgers and bottomless sides this Veterans Day. Veterans and active-duty military guests can enjoy a complimentary Red’s Big Tavern Burger and Bottomless Side when dining in at participating Red Robin restaurants on Nov. 11, 2024.

Silver Spring House: 2024 updates to come!

White Castle celebrates Veterans Day by giving a complimentary Combo Meal or breakfast combo meal to veterans and active duty service members on November 11, 2024. Dine-in only. No purchase is necessary, but veterans and active duty personnel are requested to show a military ID. 

Other Veterans Day Offers:

offers coming as announced