Veterans Day is a time to honor and celebrate the brave people who have served our country, both past and present. Across the Seattle area, families can participate in meaningful events that pay tribute to these veterans, from community parades and ceremonies to museum exhibits and family-friendly activities that help children understand the importance of service and sacrifice. Here are some Veterans Day events where we can come together as a community to show appreciation and respect for those who have served our country.
Saturday, November 8
Annual Veterans Parade & Observance – Auburn| Saturday, November 8 | 11 a.m. | Main Street, Auburn | Free | All ages | Auburn hosts one of the largest Veterans Day Parades west of the Mississippi. The parade typically features over 200 units and nearly 5,000 parade participants, including 20 or more marching bands, military vehicles, veterans’ units, honor guards, and more. Spectators will enjoy the military entries, as well as the antique military vehicles and equipment. A variety of veteran units are always crowd pleasers. The day kicks off with a Community Breakfast on November 8 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. ($12 per person), followed by a Remembrance Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park. Help Auburn celebrate 60 years of honoring veterans.
Veterans Day Powwow at Daybreak Star Cultural Center | Saturday, November 8 | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center | Free | All ages | Veterans Powwow will be held at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to honor the Native veterans., Coastal Grand Entry at 11:30 a.m., and Grand Entry at 12 p.m.
Veterans Appreciation Days at Point Defiance Zoo | November 8-11, 2025 | 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium | Free for U.S Military/Veteran, 1/2 off for family members | Tickets at the entrance only, no online purchase| Join the Point Defiance Zoo where U.S. military veterans and active duty members can enjoy the wonder of the Zoo for FREE during Veterans’ Appreciation Days. Immediate family members receive half off the general admission price. Offer valid at the Zoo admission window. The offer is not valid for online purchases. Proof of military service is required. Northwest Trek Wildlife Park will also be offering this Veterans Appreciation Day, the same weekend.
Sunday, November 9
First Arts Veterans Workshop | Sunday, November 9 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Museum of Flight, Seattle | Veterans only 18+ | Limited spots, registration required | In honor of Veterans Day, The Museum of Flight is offering a First Aid Arts Intro Workshop for leaders in local veteran communities, free of cost. Workshop participants will be introduced to the science of toxic stress through several simple, art-based activities designed to help with emotional regulation and developing resilience. Workshop participants will also receive their own First Aid Arts Mini-Toolkit to take home.
Tuesday, November 11 (Veterans Day)
3rd Annual Poulsbo’s Veterans Day Parade | Tuesday, November 11 | 11 a.m. | Front Street and Downtown Poulsbo | Free | All ages | Join the Poulsbo’s 3rd Veterans Day Parade on Front Street to commemorate this day.
Free entrance to State Parks and National Parks | November 11 | 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. | In honor of Veterans nationwide, State Parks and the National Parks Service have made November 11 a free day to get into the parks. Enjoy the great outdoors with your loved ones as you reflect on the Veterans who serve our country, past and present.
Veterans Day Ceremony – SeaTac | Tuesday, November 11 | 10 to 11 a.m. | SeaTac Community Center | Free | All ages | The SeaTac Veterans Memorial pays tribute to men and women military veterans of the past and present for their service. The memorial incorporates engraved paver tiles as a lasting way to remember the loved ones who have served. Names given in 2024 will be read out loud.
Veterans Day Parade – Mill Creek | Tuesday, November 11 | 11 a.m. | Main Street, Mill Creek Town Center | Free | Join Mill Creek for their Veteran’s Day Parade. The parade begins at 11 a.m. making its way through Mill Creek Town Center. The parade will feature military and high school bands, color guards, vintage & military vehicles, and community organizations, including Veterans and their families. There will be a ceremony at 9 a.m. before the parade at Liberty Park.
Gig Harbor Veterans Day Celebration | November 11 | 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Gig Harbor Aero Museum | Free for Veterans, $15 for General admission | Tickets here | Veterans, active duty, family members and the community are invited to this event. This year, they are celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the Army, Navy, and Marines. Join this event filled with military pagentry, music, guest speakers.
