Veterans Day 2026 in Murfreesboro: Parades, Ceremonies, Free Meals

Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. Rutherford County has two parades (Nov. 7 at the Alvin C. York VA and Nov. 14 on Main Street), ceremonies in La Vergne and Smyrna, a Tennessee Philharmonic salute, and free meals at Chili's, Red Robin, Golden Corral and Bob Evans.

Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, and Rutherford County honors veterans with events from Nov. 6 to Nov. 14. There are two parades in Murfreesboro: the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System's parade Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Alvin C. York VA Medical Center, and the first Rutherford County Veterans Day Parade on Main Street Saturday, Nov. 14. La Vergne and Smyrna hold ceremonies at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11. On Veterans Day, Chili's, Red Robin, Golden Corral and Bob Evans have posted free meals for veterans and active-duty military.

Here is the week in order, with links to each event's calendar page where OnlyInMurfreesboro has one.

What Veterans Day events are in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County in 2026?

• Friday, Nov. 6, 7 p.m.: Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra: A Veterans Salute, First United Methodist Church, 265 W. Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro
• Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Veterans Day Parade, Alvin C. York VA Medical Center, 3400 Lebanon Pike, Murfreesboro
• Monday, Nov. 9, to Friday, Nov. 13: Hometown Heroes veterans featured on the City of Murfreesboro's CityTV video bulletin board and digital signs in city buildings. The city's page says residents can submit a veteran through Friday, Oct. 23.
• Wednesday, Nov. 11, 7 a.m.: Veterans Impact Breakfast hosted by Middle Tennessee Electric, 810 Commerce Court, Murfreesboro
• Wednesday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m.: La Vergne Veterans Day Ceremony, La Vergne City Hall, 5093 Murfreesboro Road
• Wednesday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m.: Smyrna Veterans Day Ceremony, Captain Jeff Kuss USMC Memorial, 102 Sam Ridley Pkwy. E., Smyrna
• Thursday, Nov. 12, 9 a.m. to noon: MTSU Veterans Career Labs, Daniels Center Conference Room
• Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m.: Rutherford County Veterans Day Parade, Main Street from MTSU to the Public Square

When is the VA Veterans Day Parade in Murfreesboro?

VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System's annual Veterans Day Parade is Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the front entrance of the Alvin C. York VA Medical Center, 3400 Lebanon Pike. It is free.

The VA says pre-parade entertainment starts at 10 a.m., with live music, veteran outreach and resource tables, and local food vendors. The parade steps off at 11 a.m. at the medical center's main entrance. The lineup includes live music, antique cars, horses, and displays from local schools and veteran organizations, and the VA encourages spectators to bring lawn chairs. A children's activity area is also planned.

The VA closed nominations for its 2026 parade grand marshals and says it will contact the honorees by Oct. 26. Its parade page lists contacts for groups that want to march, volunteer or set up a vendor table.

When is the Rutherford County Veterans Day Parade?

The first annual Rutherford County Veterans Day Parade steps off at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, from MTSU, 1301 E. Main St., and marches down Main Street to the Public Square. Organizers schedule the end of the parade at noon with a moment of remembrance, followed by music and an awards ceremony at 1 p.m. downtown.

The parade is free. Marching bands, veterans' units, vintage vehicles, scout troops and first responders are expected. Single Tree BBQ and Minutes Wisely host it, and organizers say donations go to Minutes Wisely to support local veterans and their families.

Where are the Veterans Day ceremonies on Nov. 11?

La Vergne: The City of La Vergne holds its annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at La Vergne City Hall, 5093 Murfreesboro Road. The city's calendar places it in the City Hall Board Room, and it is free. Guest speakers will be announced later. Families can honor a veteran with a Freedom Field Flag for $10: a 3-by-5-foot American flag on a 6-foot pole with the veteran's information, displayed during the ceremony and taken home afterward. Flags are limited and are sold through La Vergne Parks and Recreation (615-793-3224). The city also sells $35 engraved bricks for its Veterans Memorial Wall.

Smyrna: The Town of Smyrna's Veterans Day Ceremony is at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Captain Jeff Kuss USMC Memorial, 102 Sam Ridley Pkwy. E., at Lee Victory Park. It is free. The town says details can change and posts updates on its social media.

What is the Tennessee Philharmonic's Veterans Salute?

The Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra presents A Veterans Salute, presented by Dick and Martha Curl, at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at First United Methodist Church, 265 W. Thompson Lane. The orchestra describes an evening of patriotic music, hosted by Colleen Wheelahan of SiriusXM Symphony Hall and conducted by Music Director Matthew Phelps.

Veterans get in free with a complimentary ticket reserved through the orchestra's site. Regular tickets are $40, and student tickets are $10.

Are there MTSU Veterans Day events?

MTSU's Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center lists two events that week:

• Veterans Impact Breakfast, Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 7 a.m., hosted by Middle Tennessee Electric at 810 Commerce Court in Murfreesboro. The center's calendar does not say whether the breakfast is open to the public or requires registration. The center can be reached at 615-904-8347.
• Veterans Career Labs, Thursday, Nov. 12, from 9 a.m. to noon in the Daniels Center Conference Room.

Which restaurants give veterans free meals on Veterans Day 2026?

These chains have posted 2026 Veterans Day offers on their own websites. Each says the offer is at participating restaurants, so calling ahead is a good idea.

Chili's: Veterans and active-duty military get a free meal from a limited menu on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at participating restaurants. It is dine-in only, and beverages and gratuity are not included. The page shows Chicken Crispers, Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas, the Oldtimer Burger with Cheese and Soup & House Salad as entree choices. Chili's locator lists these area restaurants:

• 755 NW Broad St., Murfreesboro
• 2741 Medical Center Pkwy., Murfreesboro
• 610 Sam Ridley Pkwy. W., Smyrna

Red Robin: Veterans and active-duty military who dine in on Wednesday, Nov. 11, get a free Red's Big Tavern Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries with a valid military ID or proof of service. No purchase is required, but the offer is dine-in only and excludes modifications and to-go, online and app orders. Red Robin's locator lists one Murfreesboro restaurant, at 1986 Medical Center Pkwy. Red Robin also collects donated gift cards that month for local veteran organizations through its Buy a Veteran a Gift Card program.

Golden Corral: The chain's 26th annual Military Appreciation Night is Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 4 p.m. to close, with a free buffet and beverage for anyone who has served in the U.S. military, including retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard and Reserves. Family members pay regular dinner prices, and there are no takeout meals or rain checks. Golden Corral's location list shows no restaurant in Rutherford County; the nearest on its Tennessee list is in Hermitage, at 315 Old Lebanon Dirt Road.

Bob Evans: Veterans and active-duty military get one free item from an 11-item Veterans Day dine-in menu on Wednesday, Nov. 11, with proof of service such as a military ID, DD214, veterans organization card or photo in uniform. Beverages and gratuity are not included. Bob Evans' locator shows no Rutherford County restaurant; the closest result for Murfreesboro is at 200 Rudy Circle in Nashville, about 31 miles away.

As of Oct. 21, Applebee's, Texas Roadhouse, Denny's, IHOP, Starbucks, Outback Steakhouse, Cracker Barrel, Krispy Kreme, Hooters and Little Caesars had not posted 2026 Veterans Day offers on their own websites. Several still showed last year's terms. OnlyInMurfreesboro will update this article as more chains announce their offers.

What is closed on Veterans Day in Rutherford County?

Rutherford County government offices are closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day. In Murfreesboro, garbage collection shifts one day: Wednesday pickup moves to Thursday, and Thursday pickup moves to Friday. Smyrna Town Hall and La Vergne city offices are also closed that day. OnlyInMurfreesboro's Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas closures guide has the full list of office closings and trash schedule changes through New Year's Day.

For more ways to spend the week, see things to do in Murfreesboro in November, the Stones River National Battlefield guide and the MTSU guide. Neighbors in Smyrna and La Vergne can find more local news and events on those city pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Veterans Day 2026?

Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. Rutherford County government offices, Smyrna Town Hall and La Vergne city offices are closed that day.

When is the Veterans Day parade in Murfreesboro?

Murfreesboro has two. The VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System's parade is Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Alvin C. York VA Medical Center, 3400 Lebanon Pike, with entertainment at 10 a.m. and the parade at 11 a.m. The first Rutherford County Veterans Day Parade is Saturday, Nov. 14, at 10 a.m. on Main Street, from MTSU to the Public Square.

Where can veterans eat free on Veterans Day in Murfreesboro?

On Nov. 11, Chili's (755 NW Broad St. and 2741 Medical Center Pkwy.) and Red Robin (1986 Medical Center Pkwy.) have posted free dine-in meals for veterans and active-duty military. Golden Corral and Bob Evans also offer free meals but have no restaurants in Rutherford County.

Is there a Veterans Day ceremony in Smyrna or La Vergne?

Yes. Both are at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11. La Vergne's is at City Hall, 5093 Murfreesboro Road, and Smyrna's is at the Captain Jeff Kuss USMC Memorial, 102 Sam Ridley Pkwy. E.

Do veterans get into the Tennessee Philharmonic's Veterans Salute free?

Yes. The orchestra offers complimentary tickets for veterans to its Nov. 6 concert at First United Methodist Church. Regular tickets are $40, and student tickets are $10.

Is trash pickup delayed for Veterans Day in Murfreesboro?

Yes. The City of Murfreesboro moves Wednesday garbage collection to Thursday and Thursday collection to Friday during Veterans Day week. Residents can text "borogarbage" to 38276 for schedule alerts.

Sources: VA Tennessee Valley Health Care Veterans Day Parade event, TVHS Veterans Day Parade: Everything you need to know, Rutherford County Veterans Day Parade, Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra, City of La Vergne Veterans Day Ceremony, Town of Smyrna Veterans Day Ceremony, City of Murfreesboro Hometown Heroes, MTSU Daniels Center events, Chili's Veterans Day and Chili's locator, Red Robin Veterans Day and Red Robin locator, Golden Corral Military Appreciation Night and Golden Corral locations, Bob Evans Veterans Day and Bob Evans locator, Rutherford County upcoming holidays, City of Murfreesboro holiday garbage collection.

*Illustration: AI-generated image; not an actual Murfreesboro location.*