National Veterans Day Observance
The National Veterans Day Observance is held each year at Arlington National Cemetery. All events are free and open to the public. A prelude concert will begin in the Memorial Amphitheater at 10:30 a.m. A wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at 11 a.m. and will be followed by an observance program in the amphitheater. Space is limited to standing room only for the wreath-laying ceremony and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the amphitheater. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to ensure access to these events and should plan to be seated no later than 9:30 a.m. Arlington will open at 8 a.m.
Schedule:
8 a.m. – Arlington National Cemetery opens. Free shuttles to the Memorial Amphitheater begin. Seating is first-come, first served basis.
10:15 a.m. – The last shuttle departs from the Welcome Center to the Memorial Amphitheater (or earlier if the Memorial Amphitheater is full)
10:30 a.m. – Prelude Concert begins at the Memorial Amphitheater
11 a.m. – Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Space is limited to standing room only for the wreath-laying ceremony)
11:05 a.m. – National Observance Program begins at the Memorial Amphitheater
Noon – National Observance Program concludes
METRO RIDERS: There will be no Blue Line Service on Veterans Day. A special shuttle train will run continuously between Arlington Cemetery and National Airport, making stops at Pentagon, Pentagon City and Crystal City. The shuttle will operate from 5 a.m. until 7 p.m. As an alternate travel option for Blue Line riders, Metro will run free shuttle buses between Rosslyn and Pentagon Metrorail stations every 12 minutes from 5 a.m. until midnight. Shuttle buses will provide service to Arlington Cemetery until 7 p.m. More information can be found on the Metro website.
Free parking is available all day in the Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center parking lot. A free shuttle service will provide transportation to Memorial Amphitheater beginning at 8 a.m. The last shuttle from the Welcome Center is at 10:15 a.m. or when the Memorial Amphitheater is full. Walking to the amphitheater is prohibited. After the observance is over, shuttles will provide transportation back to the Welcome Center until 2 p.m. DoD ID card holders may park at the Old Post Chapel gate on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and take a free shuttle to the amphitheater.
Attendees will be required to pass through a security checkpoint to gain access to the amphitheater for the official program. Items prohibited on the premises include: Large bags and backpacks, firearms and weapons of any type (including pocket knives, pepper spray or mace), laser pointers, aerosol containers, soda cans, umbrellas, coolers, picnic baskets, tripods, lighters, personal protection sprays, insulated beverage containers and anything that could potentially be used as a weapon. This applies to off-duty local, tribal, state, and federal law enforcement officers covered by LEOSA, or on-duty officers not directly involved in event security. Dangerous weapons will be confiscated and disposed of prior to entry; visitors possessing firearms will be denied access to the event and immediately escorted off ANC grounds.
Family Members with permanent passes will have access to enter the cemetery during normal business hours as usual. Due to security requirements, vehicle access to certain gravesites may be limited. Temporary and handicapped passes will not be given out until 1 p.m.
We encourage you to watch our short video about visiting Arlington National Cemetery on Veteran's Day.