There are many ways to celebrate and honor our nation's veterans throughout the Tampa Bay Area. We have compiled a list of 2017 Veterans Day parades, events and freebies offered throughout the Bay Area.
APOLLO BEACH
The 39th Annual Veterans Day Parade hosted by Ruskin Memorial VFW Post 6287 will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 11 in Apollo Beach. Get more info here.
LAKELAND
The Polk County Veteran's Council is hosting the Lakeland Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 11. The parade and activities will start at 10 a.m. with a ceremony in Veteran's Memorial Park located at 141 Lake Beulah Drive in Lakeland. Get more info here.
NEW PORT RICHEY
Freedom Fest in New Port Richey is a community event with commemorations for veterans, as well as family-friendly activities for all. The Festival will run Friday, November 10 and Saturday, November 11 at Sims Park in downtown New Port Richey. Get more info here.
SAFETY HARBOR
The City of Safety Harbor, American Legion Post 238, and Veterans Foreign Wars Post 10093 will host a Veterans Day Celebration on Saturday, November 11 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Safety Harbor Marina. Get more info here.
TAMPA
The City of Tampa is holding their 53rd Annual Veterans Day Tribute, a salute to military men and women from all branches of service at Veterans Memorial Park and Museum on Saturday, November 11 at 11 a.m. Get more info here.
The Tampa VA Hospital is hosting a Veterans Day Parade on Friday, November 10 at 10 a.m. with a ceremony and parade at 13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. at the Fisher House. Free and open to the public. Get more info here.
TEMPLE TERRACE
The City of Temple Terrace will host a Veterans Day observance at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 11 during the Temple Terrace Arts and Crafts Festival, located at 407 Woodmont Avenue.
YBOR CITY
The Freedom High School Orchestra will play outside at Centro Ybor in honor of Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at 11 a.m.
ZEPHYRHILLS
The City of Zephyrhills and Main Street Zephyrhills, Inc. will honor veterans and active duty service members during the Veterans Parade downtown, Saturday, November 11. The Parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. The Rememberance Ceremony begins at 11:11 a.m. Get more info here.
FREEBIES AND DEALS
ADMISSION TO MUSEUMS, ATTRACTIONS
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is offering FREE admission for active duty, retired or reserve members of the military from Friday, November 10 through Sunday, November 12. If you're bringing the family, up to three guests in the party can save 50% off admission. Get more info here.
Florida Aquarium - Tampa
All active duty military, retired, prior service of the Armed Forces (including Guards and Reserved), and a dependent can receive one free general admission ticket to the Florida Aquarium (limited to 2 free tickets). If you have additional guests, up to four people can receive a discounted $15 general admission ticket. Get more info here.
Florida Holocaust Museum
The Florida Holocaust Museum is offering FREE admission to Veterans on Veterans Day, Saturday, November 11. Admission includes free parking when available and free audio tour. Get more info here.
LEGOLAND
From November 1 to November 19, LEGOLAND Florida Resort is honoring U.S. veterans with free theme park admission plus 50% off tickets for up to six guests. On Saturday, November 11, Veterans Day, veterans will receive a 10% discount on retail purchases and food and beverage items. Photo passes will be just $9.99. Get more info here.
FOOD FREEBIES AND DEALS
Chipotle
Buy one, get one free burrito, bowl, salad or taco on Tuesday, November 7th, from 5 p.m. to close.
Cracker Barrel
On Nov. 11, Cracker Barrel will again offer veterans a complimentary piece of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola® Cake for dessert at all 646 Cracker Barrel Old Country Store locations to thank them for their service to our country.
Denny’s
Free 'Build Your Own Grand Slam' on Friday, Nov. 10 from 5 a.m. to noon. Get more info here.
BJ’s Restaurant
Free entree under $12.95 on Friday and Saturday. Guests over age 21 can also receive a Handcrafted BJ's Beer or soda. Get more info here.
Applebee’s
Get a Veterans Day Free Meal. Get more info here.
California Pizza Kitchen
Free entree from a special Veterans Day menu and beverage on Saturday, November 11. Get more info here.
Dunkin’ Donuts
Free donut on Saturday, November 11. Get more info here.
Hooters
Free meal from Hooters Veterans Day Free Meal Menu. Get more info here.
Little Caesars Pizza
Free $5 Hot-n-Ready lunch combo on Saturday from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Get more info here.
Macaroni Grill
Free Mom’s Ricotta Meatballs & Spaghetti on Saturday.
Menchie’s Free Frozen Yogurt
Free six-ounce frozen yogurt on Saturday.
Mimi’s Cafe
Free select menu items on Saturday with drink purchase.
On the Border
Free create-your-own combo meal. Get more info here.
Outback Steakhouse
Free Bloomin’ Onion and drink on Saturday. Also, November 12 through November 16, military members will receive 20% off their check and, beginning November 17, military, firefighters and law enforcement will receive 10% off their check.
Red Lobster
Free appetizer or dessert on Satuday.
Red Robin
Free Red’s Tavern Double Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries on Saturday.
Ruby’s Diner
Free entree on Veterans Day.
Starbucks
Free tall brewed coffee on Saturday. For every Starbucks VIA® Instant purchase made on starbucks.com/shop in the U.S., Starbucks will make a matching donation of Starbucks VIA® Instant to the USO.
This Veterans Day, Starbucks is hosting special events in only 10 Starbucks locations across the country, including one in Tampa’s Military Family Store!
- WHAT: “15 Things Veterans Want You to Know” is a pop-up-style workshop, presented in partnership with WorkShop Mercantile, Starbucks, and PsychArmor Institute. The goal is to educate, influence and improve civilian understanding of military culture, and to enable new meaningful and respectful conversations.
- WHERE: Starbucks at 820 West North A St Tampa, FL 33606
- WHEN: 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Texas Roadhouse
Free lunch, beverage and sides on Saturday.
TGI Fridays
Free lunch item up to $12 on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
World of Beer
On Saturday, November 11, World of Beer is inviting all veterans and current servicemen and servicewomen to enjoy a free select draught beer.
SHOPPING DEALS
Great Clips Free Haircut
On Veterans Day, customers who come in for a haircut at any U.S. Great Clips salon will receive a free haircut card to give to an active/inactive/retired military member of any branch, including the National Guard. Veterans can also visit any U.S. Great Clips salon on November 11 to get either a free haircut that day or to pick up a free haircut card to use later. Haircuts are redeemable until Dec. 31.
Home Depot
A 10% discount is also offered to all other military veterans on Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Veterans Day.
Lowes Home Improvement
Lowes offers 10% off to all veterans and active duty service members every day by signing up for a MyLowes card (not a credit card). We list Lowes here since this is a recent change where Veterans Day used to be one of the few days a year when the 10% discount was offered.
Target
All military personnel, vets and their families receive a 10% discount Wednesday, November 8 through Saturday, November 11. Get more info here.
Under Armour 15% Off
Get 15% off. Offer valid for Military, Veterans & First Responders Click for Details.
Walgreens
Offering a 20% discount to all Veterans, Active duty military, and their immediate families, on Veterans Day 2016. Must present a Walgreens Rewards card and valid Military ID or proof of service to receive the discount on eligible items.
