Veterans Day observances across Northeast Florida and nearby Southeast Georgia are scheduled through Nov. 15, with public parades, ceremonies, concerts, volunteer projects and meals for veterans. Most events fall on Wednesday, Nov. 11, though some activities extend across the week.
In Jacksonville, the Veterans Day Parade is set for 11:01 a.m. Nov. 11 downtown. The free parade begins on Water Street in front of the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts and follows Hogan Street, Bay Street and A. Philip Randolph Boulevard to VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Other Duval County observances include the Veterans Roll Up Bowlathon at Batt Family Fun Center from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; veterans and service members can attend free with a reservation, according to the city listing.
Gainesville's Alachua County Annual Veterans Day Celebration runs from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at Veterans Memorial Park, with breakfast, an 8:30 a.m. 5K and an 11 a.m. ceremony. In St. Augustine, the Veterans Day Celebration 2026 at Anastasia Baptist Church opens at 9 a.m. and begins its ceremony at 11 a.m. A free Americana 250 Concert honoring veterans is also scheduled for Nov. 15 at St. Anastasia Catholic Church.
Several communities will hold parades followed by ceremonies. Flagler County's parade starts at 10 a.m. in Bunnell and proceeds along Moody Boulevard to the Government Services Building, where a ceremony and complimentary lunch for veterans are planned. Fernandina Beach's parade begins at 11 a.m., while Kingsland, Georgia, will start its parade at 10:30 a.m. before an 11:11 a.m. ceremony at Kingsland Veterans Memorial Park.
On St. Simons Island, the Veterans Day parade steps off at 10:15 a.m. from Mallery Park, heading through Pier Village toward the Casino/Neptune Park area. An observance is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Casino stage, followed at noon by a complimentary appreciation luncheon for veterans at the Casino Atrium.
Additional events include a public ceremony at Camp Blanding Museum in Starke at 11 a.m.; a Veterans Day Songwriters Concert in Palatka at 7 p.m., with $10 admission listed; and a free Veterans Build volunteer project in West Augustine on Nov. 13 and 14. Veterans may also find complimentary meals or admission at select businesses and venues, including Orange Park Mall, Catty Shack Ranch in Jacksonville and Vicious Biscuit in Neptune Beach, with eligibility requirements and availability varying by location.
Organizers advise attendees to confirm times, locations and availability directly before heading out. Some listings have limited details or conflicting dates, including a Gainesville chili cook-off listing and the Nov. 11-14 Palatka music festival.
