Veterans Day is afoot, and Arizona is ready to show appreciation for those who have served in the military and risked their lives fighting to protect American freedom and champion it abroad.
The annual holiday falls on Nov. 11 because in 1918, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice — or temporary ceasefire — was declared between the Allies and Germany in World War I.
Many countries commemorated the day as Armistice Day the following year, but it wasn’t until 1938 when Nov. 11 became a federal holiday in the U.S. It was after World War II and the Korean War that Armistice Day became known as Veterans Day.
Here are 20 events in Arizona’s 20 largest cities that we recommend you check out to show your appreciation this Veterans Day.
2024 Phoenix Veterans Day Parade
5757 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix
Nov. 11, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Honoring America’s Veterans is staying true to its name with its annual Phoenix Veterans Day Parade. The event started in 1997 as a way to help foster a patriotic community spirit in Phoenix and to acknowledge the sacrifice veterans make for their country.
This year the Celebrity Grand Marshal of the parade will be Arizona Diamondbacks hall-of-famer Luis Gonzalez, whose jersey was retired after he led the team to its only World Series chip in 2001.
105th Tucson Veterans Day Parade
260 S. Church Avenue, Tucson
Nov. 11, 11 a.m.
The Tucson Veterans Day Foundation is hosting the 105th Tucson Veterans Day Parade. The parade will celebrate all veterans, but the theme of this year’s event is Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Desert Calm.
The parade will start at the intersection of Granada Avenue and Alameda Street. It will make a large circle around the Tucson Convention Center, going down Cushing Street onto Church Avenue and then down Congress Street before arriving back at the start. Spectators can position themselves anywhere along the route.
East Valley Veterans Parade
263 N. Center Street, Mesa
Nov. 11, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The annual East Valley Veterans Parade will march through downtown Mesa to pay homage to local veterans. The theme of this year’s parade is “Arizona Heroes’ Global War on Terrorism.”
The theme is meant to honor all military personnel who have battled terrorism abroad this century. The Grand Marshals and Service Marshals for the parade will include veterans from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
The parade is a free family-friendly event that will begin at the intersection of University Drive and Center Street and end at the intersection of Robinson Street and First Street. There are many public parking options available for residents to enjoy the parade.
Chandler Veterans Day
4050 E. Chandler Heights Road, Chandler
Nov. 11, 5 to 5:30 p.m.
Chandler’s Military and Veterans Affairs Commission and Community Services Department are hosting a free event to honor those who have served and continue to serve our country.
The keynote speaker at the event will be Lt. Col. Kathy Gallowitz who is also the author of “Beyond ‘Thank you for your Service’: The Veteran Champion Handbook for Civilians.”
20th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony
50 E. Civic Center Drive, Gilbert
Nov. 8, 9 a.m.
The city of Gilbert is hosting its 20th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the Gilbert Civic Center on the lawn. The ceremony for the event will start at 11 a.m., however there is a Classic and Custom Car Show that begins at 9 a.m.
The event is free to attend and will include words of tribute from special guest speakers, musical performances by local schools and military displays suitable for all ages.
Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or a lawn chair to sit. There will also be food trucks onsite that will serve refreshments before and after the event.
Fourth Annual Military Appreciation Ceremony
10150 W. Desert River Boulevard, Glendale
Nov. 6, 7:30 a.m.
The Glendale Chamber Military and Veterans Affairs Committee will recognize servicemen and women who dedicated their lives to serving our country at its 2024 Military Appreciation Ceremony.
Those who are eligible for the event are active duty, reservists, guardsmen and dependents from the Air Force, Space Force, Army, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Navy and National Guard.
Check-in at the event starts at 7:30 a.m. and the event itself is from 8 to 9 a.m. and costs $25 per person.
Scottsdale Veterans Day Commemoration
3939 N. Drinkwater Boulevard, Scottsdale
Nov. 11, 10:30 a.m. to noon
Join the city of Scottsdale on the Memorial Lawn at Scottsdale City Hall as it honors those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The event will feature patriotic music from the Coast Guard Auxiliary Band as well as keynote speaker John F. Rehni who served as the 17th Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy from 2005 to 2009.
Peoria Veterans Day Ceremony
8866 W. Thunderbird Road, Peoria
Nov. 11, 8 to 9 a.m.
The city of Peoria will host a special ceremony at the Honor Wall at Rio Vista Recreation Center to remember and honor all veterans.
Speakers at the event will include Mayor Jason Beck, Councilmember Bill Patena and retired Air Force Sgt. Scott Duke.
After the speeches there will be a presentation of the 2024 Honor Wall additions, the postlude by the Glendale Pipes and Drums, a flyover by the 56th Fighter Wing from Luke Air Force Base and the Heal Her Art Awards.
Breakfast will be served at the event directly after the ceremony.
Tempe Veterans Day Parade
12th Street and Mill Avenue, Tempe
Nov. 11, 10 a.m.
The city of Tempe will host its annual Veterans Day Parade that has been an annual tradition for more than 50 years. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at ASU Gammage and proceed north on Mill Avenue before concluding at Tempe Beach Park.
Those participating in the parade include members of the Tempe City Council, various Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, local high school marching bands, community members, veterans’ groups and more.
Surprise Veterans Day Parade
Bullard Avenue, Surprise
Nov. 11, 10 a.m.
Join the city of Surprise as it hosts its annual Surprise Veterans Day Parade. The parade will go down Bullard Avenue between Paradise and Tierra Buena Lanes.
This West Valley parade will feature community floats, bands, dancers and more. There will also be breakfast available from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Surprise Stadium in Centerfield Plaza. Breakfast will be served by the Surprise Police Department.
Veterans Day Tribute Festival
Civic Square Park, Goodyear
Nov. 11, 5 to 8 p.m.
The city of Goodyear will hold a Veterans Day Tribute Festival to honor the bravery and dedication of the military service men and women of the West Valley.
The evening will consist of a concert with a patriotic setlist, murals, activities for kids and various food items from veteran-owned trucks.
The first 250 veterans at the event will receive a $10 credit toward the food trucks.
Annual Veterans Day Hike at Skyline Regional Park
2600 N. Watson Road, Buckeye
Nov. 11, 8:30 a.m.
The city of Buckeye is hosting an event for outdoor enthusiasts on Veterans Day. Its annual Veterans Day Hike will take participants on a four-mile roundtrip hike to the summit where they will plant an American flag to honor those who have served and are serving our country.
Buckeye is also honoring veterans with the unveiling of a Veterans Memorial in Sundance Park, 22865 W. Lower Buckeye Road, on Nov. 9 at 4 p.m. The event will consist of a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the Buckeye Honor Guard.
“The Veterans Day Hike and Veterans Memorial unveiling are both incredibly important ways for Buckeye to honor our veterans and active service members,” said Daniel Bronis, a spokesperson for the city. “The hike offers a chance for the community to come together, enjoy the outdoors and reflect on sacrifices made by those who have served. Meanwhile, the memorial provides a permanent space to tribute to our fallen heroes.”
Employment Service Workshops for Veterans
5764 E. Hunt Highway, San Tan Valley
Nov. 11, 1 to 3 p.m.
San Tan Valley is celebrating Veterans Day a little differently.
The San Tan Valley Veterans Center will hold a hiring event on Veterans Day. It will provide veterans with an overview of services for veterans their spouses as well as provide them with the resources needed to get a job.
Veteran Day Parade and American Legion Event
2575 S. Virginia Drive, Yuma
Nov. 11, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In the southwestern border city of Yuma comes a Veterans Day parade that will start and end at the American Legion Post 19. At the legion post after the parade will be a free event for residents including a raffle, silent auctions and activities for all ages benefiting the military community.
11th Annual Veterans Day 5K Fun Run/Walk
3000 N. Dysart Road, Avondale
Nov. 11, 9 a.m.
Estrella Mountain Community College and the city of Avondale are partnering for the 11th Annual Veterans Day 5K Fun Run/Walk, an event that benefits West Valley veterans who face financial barriers to education.
Avondale Police and Fire Departments will be onsite with interactive activities for attendees to participate in during the run.
Grand Opening Ceremony for new Veteran’s Home
2100 N. Gemini Road, Flagstaff
Nov. 11, 1 p.m.
The Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services will hold a grand opening ceremony on Veterans Day for a new Veteran Home in Flagstaff.
The event is free and open to the public, attendees will enjoy a small ceremony before being to tour the facility. An RSVP is required to attend the event.
Veteran’s Day Celebration at Schnepf Farms
22425 E. Cloud Road, Queen Creek
Nov. 11, 9 a.m.
The Eighth Annual Veteran’s Day Celebration at Schnepf Farms’ San Tan Memorial Gardens is a free event that will include a 30-minute ceremony, followed by a flyover, light refreshments and patriotic music.
Maricopa Veterans Day Parade
Nov. 9, 9 a.m.
Bowlin and Porter Roads, Maricopa
On Saturday, the Maricopa Veterans Day Parade will start at 9 a.m. at Bowlin and Porter Roads and last about two hours.
“This is an opportunity to demonstrate how proud we are of the men and women who have fought for our freedom,” said Gaby Potter on behalf of the Maricopa Veterans Day Parade Committee.
In January during Maricopa Mayor Nancy Smith’s State of the City address, the committee was awarded the Mike Riggs Community Service Award.
“We make sure that they have everything that they need in place to make sure that it runs as smoothly as possible, that everybody’s safe while doing it,” said city government spokesperson Monica Williams. “They’ve been doing this for several years now, I want to say at least 10 years now, maybe longer. They’ve been doing it for quite some time, so they’re pretty pro at it and the city kind of knows what to expect with it.”
Veteran’s Day Concert – Central Arizona College Orchestra
702 E. Cottonwood, Casa Grande
Nov. 11, 6 p.m.
The Central Arizona College Choir and Orchestra are partnering with several community groups to pay tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces with its Community Veteran’s Day Concert on Monday.
The event is open for people of all ages looking to honor heroes of the past and present and will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Casas Grande.
Veterans Day Breakfast and Appreciation
15850 W. El Tiro Road, Marana
Nov. 10, 2024
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5590 Auxiliary will host a breakfast on Sunday to celebrate Veterans Day.
The event is free for veterans and $6 for all other guests. Everyone attending the breakfast must have a ticket, which can be purchased the day of from the bartender or an auxiliary member.
