Veterans Day Celebrations in Cincinnati {2025}

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 2025 Veterans Day events and freebies:

Veterans Day Events in Cincinnati:

November 8: 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 8: The Tri-State Warbird Museum is Celebrating Veterans Day, 10:30am-12:30pm. Enjoy Coffee with Kilroy at 10:30am (coffee and donuts sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts, free for Veterans). The Kidz Zone will be open from 11am to 12:30pm. 5 veterans will win a ride for the B25 & P-51 Flight Demo (weather depending). Admission is complimentary for WWII Veterans and for all Veterans in uniform. Admission charged.

November 9: The Honor Run (Florence, Ky) returns for 2025. 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 9: There will be a Veterans Day Parade in Batavia starting at 2pm.

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. The event will feature feature a memorial ceremony, tolling of bells, patriotic music from the Ohio Military Band, patriotic essays written and read by Edwin H. Greene Intermediate School students, a touching wreath-laying ceremony, recognition of the 2025 Veteran of the Year, and inspiring words from the keynote speaker, Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Kenny. Following the ceremony, you can meet local veterans at a luncheon at the Recreation Center hosted 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 Richard L. Bevington, Jr., Colonel (U.S. Army, retired), this annual event is dedicated to the men and women who serve our country. Attendees can also explore the Veterans History area at the Catherine C. and Thomas E. Huenefeld Story Center, where stories of service are preserved and shared. In addition, the Library is hosting an exhibit presented by the Cincinnati Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center titled “Through Our Eyes,” featuring stories and experiences shared by Vietnam Veterans. This year’s event also marks the 70th anniversary of the “Book of Homage,” which honors nearly 3,000 Hamilton County veterans who gave their lives in service from World War I through the Afghanistan War.

Free Admission for Veterans:

Members of the Military Receive Free Admission at the Cincinnati Zoo on Veterans Day: All members of the military — active and retired — will receive FREE admission to the Zoo on Veterans Day.  The offer also allows military personnel to purchase up to six (6) discounted 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.  Guests with discounted tickets must enter with military personnel who is eligible for free entry.

Krohn Conservatory is offering free entry for Veterans on Nov. 11, 2025, 10am-8pm.

Free Meals for Veterans on 11-11-25:

Applebee’s locations offer Veterans and Active Duty Military a special Veterans Day meal on Tuesday 11/11, where they can select from delicious entrées at Applebee’s across the country (dine-in only). See site (link above) for details.

Bob Evans: 2025 updates to come! Veterans and Active Duty Military, this Veterans’ Day your meal is on Bob Evans. See site (link above) for details.

Chili’s Grill and Bar: All veterans & active military members can get a free meal on Veterans Day November 11, 2025 at all participating Chili’s Grill & Bar restaurants. Available in-restaurant only for select items. See site (link above) for details.

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, 2025. Guests simply need to present one of the following forms of military identification to receive this offer: Uniformed Services ID Card, U.S. Uniformed Services Retired ID Card, current Leave and Earnings Statement, Veterans organization card (e.g., American Legion, VFW), present yourself in uniform, a photograph of yourself in uniform, a citation or commendation. See site (link above) for details.

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, 2025 from 4pm – close. They will once again be honoring our military heroes with a free “thank you” meal. See site (link above) for details.

IHOP: Veterans can enjoy a free Veterans Day “Red, White,and Blue Pancake Combo” which includes 2 buttermilk pancakes topped with glazed strawberries, blueberry topping and whipped topping. It’s served with 2 eggs, hashbrowns, and the choice of 2 strips of bacon or 2 sausage links. Dine in only, 7am-7pm. 1 per guest. Military ID or proof of service required. See site (link above) for details.

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, 2025. See site (link above) for details.

Silver Spring House: 2025 updates to come!

Starbucks: On Veterans Day, Veterans, military service members and military spouses can enjoy a free tall (12 fl.oz) brewed coffee (hot or iced). Offer valid at participating U.S. stores. Offer valid 11/11/2025 on café and drive-thru orders only. Cold Brew, Nitro and beverage customizations are excluded from this offer. Limit one per customer per visit. See site (link above) for details.

Other Veterans Day Offers:

Great Clips wants to “Thank a Vet”. Veterans and active service members can go to any U.S. Great Clips salon and get a free haircut, or a free haircut card for a future visit. In addition, 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.