Veterans Day 2026 in Harford County: Parade, Ceremonies and Free Meals for Veterans

by Josh Tessier

Published Oct. 26, 2026 | Last updated: Oct. 29, 2026

Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. In Harford County, the big public event is the Havre de Grace Veterans Day Parade at 11 a.m., and American Legion Post 39 in Bel Air holds a ceremony that morning at 10 a.m.

The week has more than that. There's a free resource fair for veterans and families on Nov. 14, a basketball night for the military, a history talk at the library and free meals at a few local restaurants. Here's the full list, plus what's closed on Nov. 11.

Veterans Day Week 2026. Nov. 4-11: Operation Green Light (green porch lights). Nov. 10: HCC Military Appreciation games, 5 and 7 p.m. Nov. 11: Post 39 ceremony, Bel Air, 10 a.m. Nov. 11: Havre de Grace parade, 11 a.m. Nov. 11: Free meals; schools and libraries closed. Nov. 12: Veteran history talk, Jarrettsville Library. Nov. 14: Resource Fair, Bel Air Armory, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 21: History Untapped, Post 47, Havre de Grace. — *Key dates as of Oct. 26, 2026. Times can change, so check before you go.*
Graphic: joshtalksharford.com

When is Veterans Day 2026?

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. It's a federal holiday. Post offices are closed, and there's no regular mail that day.

Havre de Grace Veterans Day Parade 2026

This is the main Veterans Day event in Harford County. American Legion Post 47 runs it, and it's free to watch.

When: Wed., Nov. 11. Line-up is at 10 a.m. The parade steps off at 11 a.m. and runs about an hour.
Route: It lines up at Hutchins Memorial Park. It goes up Congress Ave., turns right on N. Washington St. and then onto St. John St.
After: Post 47 serves lunch for veterans and their families at the post, 501 St. John St.
Heads up: Expect road closings along the route downtown. Get there early to park.

Good spot for kids: stand along Congress Ave. near the start. Bring a small flag to wave. More on the town in my Havre de Grace guide.

Veterans Day ceremony in Bel Air

American Legion Post 39 holds a Veterans Day ceremony on Wed., Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. per the county's Veterans Commission. The post is at 500 N. Hickory Ave., Bel Air.

Last year, Post 39 served breakfast at 10 a.m. and held the ceremony at 11 a.m. The post hasn't posted its November 2026 times yet. Confirm before you go.

Harford County Veterans and Family Resource Fair (Nov. 14)

This one is for veterans, people serving now and their families. It's free.

When: Sat., Nov. 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Bel Air Armory, 37 N. Main St., Bel Air.
What: Talk to the VA about claims, health care and cemetery services. Maryland's Department of Veterans and Military Families will be there too. Local groups help with jobs, housing and more.
Kids: There are activities for children.
Free lunch: Mission BBQ serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Raffle: Ravens tickets and gift cards at 12:30 p.m.

Questions? Email the Veterans Commission at vetcommission@harfordcountymd.gov. Details are on the county's Resource Fair page.

The stone front of the Bel Air Armory on Main Street with the Maryland flag flying over the door — *The Bel Air Armory on Main Street hosts the free Veterans and Family Resource Fair on Nov. 14.*
Photo: “Bel air Armory (Frontal View)” by Jackie21009, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped.

More Veterans Day week events in Harford County

Tue., Nov. 10: HCC Military Appreciation Night. Harford Community College plays Mercer County Community College at the APG Federal Credit Union Arena in Bel Air. The women's game is at 5 p.m. The men's game is at 7 p.m. It's a fun family night out. Check HCC's site for tickets.

Thu., Nov. 12: "Life and Death Through the Eyes of a Hero." Author Ken Sterner talks about the diaries of Herbert Ray McCommons. He was a Harford County native and a WWI veteran. It's at the Jarrettsville Library, 3722 Norrisville Rd., 6-7 p.m. Sign-up opens Oct. 28 at 9 a.m. on the library page. More on the area in my Jarrettsville guide.

Fri., Nov. 13: Veterans Day Poster and Essay Awards. The Susquehanna chapter of MOAA honors the students who won its Harford County Veterans Day contest. It's at the American Legion in Havre de Grace, 7-8:30 p.m. It's free, but they ask you to RSVP online. Confirm before you go.

Sat., Nov. 21: History Untapped: Havre de Grace Answers the Call. A free talk on Havre de Grace veterans, from the American Revolution to the Vietnam War. It's at American Legion Post 47, 501 St. John St., 3-5 p.m. Confirm before you go.

Nov. 4-11: Operation Green Light. Counties across the country light buildings green the week before Veterans Day to show support for veterans. Harford County's Veterans Commission lists it, and HCC is taking part. You can join in at home with a green porch light.

What's closed on Veterans Day 2026 in Harford County?

Public schools: Closed. HCPS schools and offices are closed Wed., Nov. 11.
Libraries: All Harford County Public Library branches are closed Nov. 11.
Landfill: The Harford Waste Disposal Center and the Mulch and Compost Facility in Street are closed Nov. 11.
Post offices: Closed, with no regular mail delivery. It's a federal holiday.

Kids home from school? The parade in Havre de Grace is the easy pick.

Where can veterans eat free on Veterans Day 2026 in Harford County?

These chains posted their own Nov. 11, 2026 offers. Each one says "participating restaurants." Call your local spot before you go.

Restaurant	Local spot	The offer	Rules
Chili's	502 Baltimore Pike, Bel Air, (410) 638-2992	Free meal from a set menu	Veterans and active military. Dine-in only.
Red Robin	Harford Mall, Bel Air	Free Red's Big Tavern Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries	Veterans and active duty. Dine-in only. Bring military ID or proof of service.
Golden Corral	706 S. Philadelphia Blvd., Aberdeen, 410-272-0668	Free buffet and drink, 4 p.m. to close	Anyone who served: veterans, retirees, active duty, Guard and Reserves. No takeout.
Outback Steakhouse	607 Bel Air Rd, Bel Air, across from Harford Mall	Nov. 10 and 11: free Bloomin' Onion and a drink (a Coca-Cola product, or a domestic draft beer if you're 21+)	Veterans and active or retired military. Dine in, or order to-go by phone. Online and delivery orders don't count. Just tell your server you served. If you dine in and join Outback's Dine Rewards, you also get a free Hero's Meal to use from Nov. 16, 2026 to May 2, 2027. Participating locations only, so call ahead.
Chipotle	Bel Air, Fallston and Forest Hill	Wed., Nov. 11, all day: free chips with guac, Queso Blanco or salsa when you spend $5 or more	Veterans and active-duty members. In the restaurant only; app, online and delivery orders don't count. Bring proof of service, like a military ID, VA ID, a state ID with a veteran mark, or discharge papers. Participating locations only, so call ahead.

This is the 26th year of Golden Corral's Military Appreciation Night. The free meal is for the person who served. More on the town in my Aberdeen guide.

Year-round deals for veterans in Harford County

Maryland state parks: Veterans get in free to state park day-use areas all year. Bring proof that you served. The DNR page lists the rules.
Harford Vineyard on Thursdays: Veterans and seniors 60 and up get 10% off bottles, half off a tasting and $1 off a glass of wine. More in my Harford Vineyard spotlight in Forest Hill.
The county's discount guide: Harford County keeps a Military and Veterans Discount Guide of local businesses. The newest one posted is the 2025 guide, so ask the business before you buy.
Own a business? You can add your veteran discount to the county's list with this county form.

I didn't find any discount codes posted by these hosts.

Looking ahead: Wreaths Across America

American Legion Post 39 lists Wreaths Across America for Sat., Dec. 19, 2026, at noon at Bel Air Memorial Gardens. Families lay wreaths on veterans' graves. Confirm before you go.

My quick plan for Veterans Day week

Turn your porch light green Nov. 4-11.
Take the kids to the HCC game on Tue., Nov. 10.
Watch the Havre de Grace parade at 11 a.m. on Wed., Nov. 11. Then thank a veteran with a free lunch.
Bring a veteran you love to the Resource Fair on Sat., Nov. 14. The lunch is free, and so is the help.

Want more local picks? See my Harford County guide and Thanksgiving week guide. Moving to Harford County, or just looking around? Text me at (443) 617-2099. Happy to help.

FAQ

When is Veterans Day 2026?

Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. It's a federal holiday, so post offices are closed and there's no regular mail.

What time is the Havre de Grace Veterans Day Parade in 2026?

The parade steps off at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, with line-up at 10 a.m. at Hutchins Memorial Park. It goes up Congress Ave., turns right on N. Washington St. and then onto St. John St. American Legion Post 47 runs it, and it's free to watch.

Are Harford County schools closed on Veterans Day 2026?

Yes. Harford County Public Schools and offices are closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. All Harford County Public Library branches are closed that day too.

Where can veterans eat free on Veterans Day 2026 in Harford County?

Chili's in Bel Air offers a free meal from a set menu, Red Robin at Harford Mall offers a free Red's Big Tavern Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries, and Golden Corral in Aberdeen offers a free buffet from 4 p.m. to close. Outback Steakhouse in Bel Air offers a free Bloomin' Onion and a drink on Nov. 10 and 11, and Chipotle in Bel Air, Fallston and Forest Hill offers free chips with guac, Queso Blanco or salsa with a $5 purchase on Nov. 11. Chili's, Red Robin and Golden Corral are dine-in only, and Chipotle is in the restaurant only. All are at participating locations, so call ahead.

When is the Harford County Veterans and Family Resource Fair?

Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bel Air Armory, 37 N. Main St. It's free, with VA and state help, kids' activities and a free lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Do veterans get into Maryland state parks free?

Yes. Maryland waives day-use entry fees at state parks for veterans all year. Bring proof that you served. The Maryland DNR lists what counts.

About the author: Josh Tessier is a Harford County REALTOR® with the Lee Tessier Team at eXp Realty, based in Bel Air. He has 16+ years in real estate and has sold 600+ homes personally (5,900+ for the Lee Tessier Team). He lives in Harford County and is raising his family here.