National Veterans Day Observance Open to Public

11/4/2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The 72nd annual National Veterans Day Observance, honoring the men and women who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during war and peacetime, will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at 11 a.m. in the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery.

The annual event is free and open to the public. Seating in the amphitheater is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Scheduled events for Veterans Day include: the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Concert Band and Chorus performing a prelude in the amphitheater at 10:30 a.m.; a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier conducted by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington; and the national observance inside the Memorial Amphitheater with a parade of colors by veterans’ organizations and remarks from dignitaries. Attendance for the annual wreath-laying ceremony will be limited this year to official participants.


Additional Details

  • Free parking is available at Arlington National Cemetery’s Welcome Center parking lot from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Walking to and from the amphitheater is strictly prohibited. Attendees interested in attending the observance must use the tram from the Welcome Center to the Memorial Amphitheater. The tram will run between 8:30 - 10:30 a.m., or until capacity for the event is reached. Immediately following the ceremony, the tram will resume operations and begin returning attendees to the Welcome Center from the conclusion of the ceremony until 2 p.m.

  •  Attendees are required to pass through a security checkpoint to gain access to the cemetery and Memorial Amphitheater. Prohibited items include: umbrellas, large bags, backpacks, explosives, firearms, weapons of any kind, laser pointers, aerosols, ammunition, animals other than service/guide animals, soda cans, bicycles, balloons, coolers, drones and other unmanned aircraft systems, e-cigarettes, glass/thermal/metal containers, hard water bottles (clear plastic water bottles are permitted), explosives, picnic baskets, tripods, lighters, air horns, mace/pepper spray, brass knuckles, packages, toy guns, range finders and any other items determined to be potential hazards. For more information, click here.

  • Family pass holders visiting their loved ones may enter the cemetery via the main entrance on Memorial Avenue, or through the Service Complex Gate on Columbia Pike.

  • Attendees and family pass holders should expect delays entering and exiting the cemetery, as well as movement freezes inside the cemetery during the National Veterans Day Observance.


If You Cannot Attend in Person

Contact the U.S. Army Military District of Washington Public Affairs Office at usarmy.mcnair.mdw.mbx.mediadesk-omb@army.mil for additional information on the observance program.