Veterans Day in Utah 2026: ceremonies, concerts, free meals and ways to say thank you

Ceremonies, concerts, free meals and family-friendly ways to honor the men and women who served, all around Utah. Updated daily.

Updated October 19, 2026

• Veterans Day in Utah this year
• Ceremonies on Veterans Day
• Concerts and shows honoring veterans
• Free meals and admission for veterans and military families
• Family-friendly ways to say thank you
• Stories, talks and resources for veterans

Veterans Day in Utah this year

Looking for a meaningful way to honor the veterans in your life? You have come to the right place! Veterans Day lands on a Wednesday this year, so a lot of Utah's tributes spread out over the days around it: concerts and community celebrations the weekend before, ceremonies and free meals on the day itself, and a few more dinners, runs and programs the weekend after.

Go Do pulls every one of these from the calendars of the cities, schools, museums, theaters and veterans groups that put them on, and checks them daily so our suggestions are as current as possible. Each pick below links to its full details, a map, and even weather forecasts, restaurants and hotels nearby.

This guide starts with the ceremonies on Nov 11, then the concerts, the free meals and admission for veterans and military families, family-friendly ways to say thank you, and a few gatherings where veterans share their stories. It's a great time to bring the kids along, say thank you, and get planning with your family and friends in our App too!

Ceremonies on Veterans Day

A Veterans Day ceremony is the simplest and most moving way to mark the day: the colors posted, music, a few words of thanks, and a quiet moment to remember. They're usually short and open to everyone, so they're a great option for families who want to teach their kids what the day is about.

Most are outdoors and on a Wednesday morning, so dress warm, plan around work and school, and get there a little early for a good spot. If a ceremony asks you to bring your own chair, believe them!

Photo: Pleasant Grove Cemetery

Pleasant Grove: Remembering Our Veterans

Wed, Nov 11 · Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Pleasant Grove

Pleasant Grove's Veterans Day service at the city cemetery starts at 11:00 AM. It's a time to pause, reflect and say thank you, and families, veterans and community members of all ages are invited.

• Veterans Day Celebration — Wed, Nov 11, Price
• Saratoga Springs Flag Ceremony — Sat, Nov 7, 11 AM–1 PM, Saratoga Springs

Concerts and shows honoring veterans

Music has always been a big part of how we say thank you, and this year's lineup runs from a full wind symphony to an old-time, USO-style swing show. A concert is a warm, sit-down way to spend the evening, and a great option for grandparents, parents and kids to enjoy together.

One of them invites veterans and their families in free and another is free for everyone, so check each listing's details before you buy, and book early for the Veterans Day evening shows at BYU.

Photo: BYU Music Building

For Heroes Proved: A Veterans Day Celebration with the BYU Wind Symphony

Wed, Nov 11 · BYU Music Building, Provo · $12–$52 (veterans and families free)

A patriotic tribute concert by the BYU Wind Symphony with guest soloist Laura Osnes, known for her Tony-nominated Broadway performances in Cinderella and Bonnie & Clyde. It's on Veterans Day at 7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall. Tickets are listed at $12-52, and local veterans and their immediate families are invited to attend free of charge; contact BYU Tickets for details.

Photo: BYU Music Building

Jazz Voices: A Tribute to the Troops

Wed, Nov 11 · BYU Music Building, Provo

BYU's Jazz Voices put on a 1940s-inspired, USO-style concert with swinging music made famous by the Andrews Sisters, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. It's Veterans Day at 7:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall, with tickets listed at $9-15, so it's a fun, upbeat option for the whole family.

Photo: SCERA Center for the Arts

Celebration of Veterans

Sat, Nov 7, 10 AM · SCERA Center for the Arts, Orem · Free

A free Saturday morning event at the SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem with music, patriotic presentations and a keynote speaker. A great way to start the Veterans Day weekend with the whole family.

Photo: SCERA Center for the Arts

Tribute to American Music: A Veterans Day and America 250 Celebration

Mon, Nov 9 · SCERA Center for the Arts, Orem

A choral celebration of American music at the SCERA Center during the week of Veterans Day, with patriotic classics like "America the Beautiful" and "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," spirituals and folk hymns, and works by Gershwin, Bernstein and Copland.

Photo: Tuacahn Amphitheatre

U.S. Navy Band Commodores

Sat, Nov 14, 7 PM · Tuacahn Amphitheatre, Ivins

The U.S. Navy Band Commodores play the outdoor amphitheatre at Tuacahn in Ivins the Saturday after Veterans Day. It's a military band concert under the Southern Utah sky, so bring a warm layer for after the sun goes down.

Free meals and admission for veterans and military families

Lots of Utah businesses, schools and communities say thank you with a free meal or free admission. These are made for veterans, service members and their families, so if that's you, this is your week to be treated!

Each one sets its own rules about who is included (veterans only, a guest, or immediate family), so check the listing before you go, and bring your military ID or other proof of service just in case.

Photo: Utah's Hogle Zoo

Veterans Day (Military Appreciation)

Wed, Nov 11, 10 AM–5 PM · Utah's Hogle Zoo, Salt Lake City · Free

On Veterans Day, Utah's Hogle Zoo offers free general admission to active service members, veterans, military benefitted family members and their immediate family. It's a great option for a family day out, so check the listing for the details before you go.

Veterans Breakfast

Sat, Nov 7, 6–8 AM · Eagle Mountain

A free breakfast in Eagle Mountain in honor of those who have fought for or are currently serving our country. It's an early one, from 6 to 8 AM on Saturday, so set your alarm.

Photo: All-Purpose Center at Santaquin City Hall

Santaquin Veterans Free Honor Dinner & Magic Show

Fri, Nov 13, 5:30 PM · All-Purpose Center at Santaquin City Hall, Santaquin · Free

Santaquin invites local veterans and a guest to a complimentary pork dinner at the All-Purpose Center at City Hall, with entertainment by magician and mentalist Frank Bright. A fun, relaxed night out to say thank you.

Family-friendly ways to say thank you

Veterans Day is a great day to teach kids what service means, and these make it easy and fun. You can drive a tribute route, see a giant flag in a red rock canyon, meet a bald eagle or walk through a World War II aviation museum.

Most are quick and low-key, so they fit around school and work. A great tip: ask any veterans in your family to come along and share a story or two on the way.

Photo: Mapleton Parkway Trail

Veteran's Drive

Thu, Nov 5 · Mapleton Parkway Trail, Mapleton

A drive-through tribute along the Mapleton Parkway Trail from 1200 N to 400 N, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Enter at 1200 N, drive at a respectful 5 mph, and scan the QR codes along the way to hear narration about local veterans and the history of the American flag, with pictures of veterans and the flags of the military branches.

Photo: Snow Canyon

Miss Liberty Snow Canyon Veteran's Day Flag Flying

Nov 7 – Nov 14 · Snow Canyon, Ivins · Free

A giant American flag flies in Snow Canyon to honor the country's veterans. It's free and up for a whole week, so it's an easy stop on a Southern Utah drive or hike.

Photo: Layton Hills Mall

Veterans Appreciation Event

Fri, Nov 6 · Layton Hills Mall, Layton

Layton Hills Mall recognizes the veterans who have served the country and helped shape the community on Veterans Appreciation Day. Veterans can fill out the mall's form to share their story and be considered for its Veterans Honor Wall.

Stories, talks and resources for veterans

Some of the best Veterans Day events are the ones where veterans do the talking. These evenings and panels are a wonderful way to hear real stories about service, sacrifice and life after the uniform, and a few connect veterans and their families with resources and support.

They're best for teens and adults. If you're a veteran with a story to tell, Veteran Voices is looking for storytellers, so check its listing to get involved.

Photo: 220 S 500 E, Vernal - National Guard Armory

NE Utah Mission Ready: Military & Veteran Resource Fair

Fri, Nov 13, 2–6 PM · Vernal

A free wellness fair at the National Guard Armory in Vernal from the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs, with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, the VA Salt Lake City and the Utah Department of Workforce Services. It's made to connect military members, veterans and their families with resources, and registration is open.

• Veteran's Day Program — Nov 14 – Nov 15, Sunset
• Veterans Tribute Run — Sat, Nov 14, 8–10 AM, Marriott-Slaterville

Common questions

When is Veterans Day in 2026?

Wednesday, Nov 11. Many Utah tributes are spread over the days around it, from Nov 4 through Nov 14, so you have plenty of chances to take part.

Where can veterans eat or get in free around Veterans Day?

Hogle Zoo offers free general admission to active service members, veterans, military benefitted family members and their immediate family on Nov 11. UVU's Veterans Day Brunch in Orem, the Veterans Breakfast in Eagle Mountain and Santaquin's honor dinner are free for veterans too. Check each listing for who is included.

What can I do with my kids on Veterans Day?

The Veterans Drive in Mapleton, the giant flag in Snow Canyon, the bald eagle program at the Ogden Nature Center and the WWII aviation museum in Heber City are all great options for families, and the city ceremonies welcome all ages.

More ideas · Things to do in Utah this week · This weekend in Utah