Veterans Day was Wednesday, November 11, 2026. We honor the people who have served in the United States Armed Forces, remember their sacrifices, and recognize the families who have supported them. Below you’ll find ways to observe the day and confirmed food and other offers to help plan a visit.
November 12 status: The November 11 free meals, Target military discount and same-day haircut/card-issuance windows have ended. Keep an eligible card already received: Applebee’s $5 Bounce Back Card expires November 29, Freddy’s combo card November 25, and Great Clips haircut cards December 4. Their separate redemption terms still apply. Year-round military park passes remain separate from one-day offers. The dated descriptions below preserve the original eligibility and source details; they are not offers to claim a new November 11 benefit today.
A day for remembrance, gratitude and service
Veterans Day honors all who have served, in wartime and in peace. It is an opportunity to thank living veterans, listen to their experiences when they wish to share, and remember those who are no longer with us. Memorial Day specifically honors those who died in military service; the two observances have distinct purposes.
The date traces to the November 11, 1918 armistice that ended fighting in World War I. Originally Armistice Day, the holiday became Veterans Day in 1954 to honor veterans of all wars. Read the VA’s history of Veterans Day.
- Attend a local ceremony or community observance. Check your city, county or local veterans organization for confirmed times and accessibility.
- Reach out to a veteran in your life with a personal message. Let them choose whether to talk about their service.
- Offer practical help, such as a ride to an event or sharing a meal.
- Volunteer with a local veterans organization or learn about its needs before donating.
- Take a quiet moment to remember service, sacrifice and the families affected by both.
However you observe the day, a thoughtful act of appreciation matters. Taking part in a commercial offer is entirely optional.
Ended November 11 meals and later card redemption
These summaries are based on the businesses’ own 2026 announcements. A complimentary meal usually applies to the eligible service member, not the entire party. Read each offer separately.
Ended November 11 — Applebee’s: free entrée and a return-visit card
When: November 11, 2026. Who: Veterans and active-duty military, including Reserve and National Guard members as listed in the announcement.
Participating U.S. restaurants offer one complimentary full-size entrée from the special Veterans Day menu for dine-in guests with proof of service. Beverages and gratuity are excluded; the meal cannot be combined with other discounts.
Eligible guests can also receive a $5 Bounce Back Card. It cannot be redeemed that same day and expires November 29, 2026. Card limits and exclusions apply, including tax, alcohol, delivery fees and gratuity. Read Applebee’s official announcement and terms.
Ended November 11 — Chili’s: free meal from a limited menu
When: November 11, 2026. Who: Veterans and active military members.
Participating Chili’s restaurants offer a free meal from their Veterans Day menu, including choices such as Chicken Crispers, Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas, an Oldtimer with Cheese, or soup and house salad. Dine-in only; no substitutions or combination with other offers. Beverages and gratuity are not included. Call your restaurant about proof-of-service requirements. See Chili’s official Veterans Day offer.
Ended November 11 — Golden Corral: free buffet and beverage
When: November 11, 2026, from 4 p.m. until close. Who: People who have served in the U.S. military, including veterans, retirees, active duty, National Guard and Reserves.
Military Appreciation Night includes a complimentary buffet and beverage. It is a dine-in event with no takeout or rain checks. Family and friends are welcome, but pay the regular dinner price unless independently eligible. Confirm local hours before going. Read Golden Corral’s event details and FAQs.
Ended November 11 — Red Robin: free Red’s Big Tavern Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries
When: November 11, 2026. Who: Veterans and active-duty military members with valid military ID or other proof of service.
The official announcement offers one complimentary Red’s Big Tavern Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries for dine-in at participating U.S. restaurants. No purchase is required. The offer excludes modifications and other burger styles. It cannot be combined with another offer, discount or Red Robin Royalty reward. Tax and gratuity are not included; online, app, to-go, catering and third-party orders are excluded. Read Red Robin’s official 2026 announcement.
Freddy’s: card issuance ended; existing cards redeem through November 25
When to receive the card: Visit a Freddy’s location on November 11, 2026. Who: Veterans and active military personnel, as stated by Freddy’s.
No purchase is required to receive the free Freddy’s Combo meal card. The company says cards obtained on Veterans Day may be redeemed through November 25, 2026. This is a return-visit card, not a promise that a free meal is served during the initial visit; confirm the participating location’s process before traveling. Read Freddy’s official Veterans Day terms.
Haircuts, outdoor access and other savings
Ended November 11 — Target: advertised 20% military appreciation offer, November 5–11
Current offer, checked November 6: Target’s military appreciation page advertises 20% off for verified military-community members during November 5–11. Its program addresses military members, veterans and family members; use the official verification process to establish your eligibility.
This is a verified-account benefit, not a public reusable promo code or a promise that every item qualifies. Check the offer issued to your Target Circle account for exact exclusions, permitted channel and any limits before paying. Do not assume it stacks with every early Black Friday price. Read Target’s official offer and verification route · Target shopping guide.
Great Clips: November 11 visits ended; existing cards redeem through December 4
When: Visit November 11, 2026; haircut cards are redeemable through December 4, 2026. Who: Veterans and active military service members at U.S. salons.
Eligible guests can receive a free haircut that day or a free haircut card to use on a later visit. Non-military customers visiting on Veterans Day can also request a card to give to a veteran or active service member. Check with the salon for details. Read Great Clips’ 2026 announcement.
National parks and federal recreation: year-round military passes
Available beyond Veterans Day: Eligible U.S. veterans and Gold Star families can obtain a Military Lifetime Pass; current military members and eligible dependents can obtain a Military Annual Pass.
The passes cover entrance and standard day-use fees at participating federal recreation lands. They do not cover camping, tours, reservations or concession charges. Free in-person issuance is available at many locations; online physical-pass orders may carry processing or shipping costs. Check the official identification requirements before applying. See National Park Service eligibility and pass instructions.
More retail and service offers
For additional announcements, consult the VA’s 2026 Veterans Day offers directory and then check the business’s own terms. An offer from a previous year is not confirmation that it will return. Retail promotions will be added here as current terms are confirmed.
Before you leave: a practical checklist
- Call the exact location. Ask whether it participates, which hours apply and whether there is a special menu.
- Ask which proof is accepted. Requirements differ. Bring an accepted form of identification; do not assume every business accepts the same documents.
- Check who is covered. Spouses, dependents and guests are not automatically included in a service member’s offer.
- Budget for extras. Drinks, tax, gratuity, upgrades and companion meals may cost extra. Consider tipping on the regular meal value.
- Plan around time windows. Golden Corral’s event starts at 4 p.m.; a restaurant’s normal opening time does not override an offer’s limits.
- Save future-use cards. A card issued on Veterans Day may have a separate redemption period. Record its expiration date and keep the original.
Veterans Day questions
Is Veterans Day always November 11?
Veterans Day falls on November 11. In 2026 it falls on Wednesday. Individual promotions may run on different dates, so follow the dates in each offer.
Do all veterans get every offer?
No single eligibility rule applies to every business. Check the announcement and local participation, including accepted proof and whether active duty, Reserve, National Guard or family members qualify.
Can I order a free Veterans Day meal for delivery?
The Applebee’s, Chili’s and Golden Corral meal offers listed above require dining in. A separate future-use card may have different rules.
Will this page be updated next year?
Yes. This is our permanent Veterans Day guide. We review the page each fall, add newly confirmed annual offers, and label ended promotions rather than carrying them forward as current.
For everyday savings, visit our restaurant deals and freebies guide.
Editorial note: Offers are advertised by the linked organizations; we have not personally redeemed them at every location. Our featured image is an AI-generated illustration, not a photograph of an actual offered meal.