Veterans Day in New York 2025

Veterans Day in New York is celebrated every year on 11/11. On this day, all military personnel who served in the American armed forces during wars are honoured. November 11 is the day when the armistice between the Allied nations and Germany was signed in 1918. In New York City, this day is celebrated with several activities and a big New York Veterans Day Parade. What can you do in New York during Veterans Day?

What can you expect during Veterans Day?

On Veterans Day, Americans across the nation are honouring the service of the country’s armed forces with parades, wreath-laying ceremonies and other events. The nation’s largest Veterans Day Parade is held in New York. The Veterans Day Parade has been held every year since it was first organised in 1929 and more than 20,000 people take part each year. The parade begins at 12:30.

What to do on Veterans Day

You might want to attend the Veterans Day Parade in New York. Before the parade begins, there is a wreath-laying ceremony in Madison Square Park, which includes the mayor and other top city officials.

Veterans Day Parade in New York

The day’s biggest event, the Veterans Day Parade, begins at 12:30 and runs until around 15:30. The Veterans Day Parade route travels along Fifth Avenue from 26th Street to 48th Street. You’ll see all kinds of floats, marching bands and marchers from across the country, from active military personnel to veterans and family members of veterans.

Veterans Day Tips

It’s also nice to go to the Intrepid Museum for their annual Veterans Day ceremony. The museum is fully themed around the American soldier, perfect for this day. Ships used on this day lay next to Intrepid, already a few days before Veterans Day. These massive ships are very impressive, for young and old.

In addition to visiting the Intrepid, if you are looking for more things to do, you could see Grant’s Tomb on the Upper West Side.

What is open on Veterans Day?

The government offices, banks and public libraries will be closed on Veterans Day but, for instance, all attractions and shops will be open. In fact, shoppers can take advantage of huge sales. The major department stores and big chains always have Veteran’s Day sales on everything from clothing to furniture to electronics.

Why is it called Veterans Day?

Initially, this day was called “Armistice” Day, which means a suspension of hostilities. This day was dedicated to the veterans who had served during World War I. Afterwards, it expanded to include veterans from World War II and the Korean War. A request was made to Congress to change “Armistice” to “Veterans”. On June 1st, 1954, the application was approved and so, on November 11th, 1954 the first Veterans Day that honoured all U.S. veterans, no matter where or when they served, took place.