Activities to Celebrate Veterans Day in California in 2023

Activities to Celebrate Veterans Day in California in 2023
Veterans and civilians celebrate Veterans Day in Irvine, Calif., on Nov. 11, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
11/11/2023
Updated:
11/12/2023
0:00

Los Angeles

Vet Day LA

All veterans are invited to come together for a resource fair, games, food trucks, and more. Music will be played by a Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band, and Jasmine Star will sing the National Anthem. Special guest is former California governor, actor, and entertainer Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, 1816 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. Nov. 11, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free admission. For details, visit vetdayla.com

Veterans Day at Forest Lawn–Hollywood Hills

The 64th annual event honors U.S. military veterans with a ceremony and a flyover by the Condor Squadron. Patriotic music will be played by the Los Angeles Police Concert Band, the Spirit Chorale of Los Angeles, and many others. The keynote address is by Dr. David Smith, U.S. Air Force.
Hall of Liberty, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles. Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. Free admission. For details, call 855-800-5296 or visit forestlawn.com/all-events/veterans-day-program/

Veterans Memorial Park–Granada Hills

A time capsule that was buried in 1972 by members of the Granada Hillbillies 4-H Club will be opened. The time capsule was placed in the park memorial by the 4-H Club members to honor Granada Hills residents who served in the armed forces and died during the Vietnam War. At the end of the event a new capsule will replace the old one.
Corner of Chatsworth St. and Zelzah Ave. Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. For details, visit tinyurl.com/3y8897ss
A U.S. Marine Corps salutes veterans at the Los Angeles National Cemetery in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 31, 2021. (Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo)
A U.S. Marine Corps salutes veterans at the Los Angeles National Cemetery in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 31, 2021. (Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo)

Long Beach Veterans Day Celebration 2023

Local dignitaries and elected officials will welcome veterans with live music and a resource fair. Activities include flyovers, a children’s fun zone, food trucks, and more.
Houghton Park, 6301 Myrtle Ave., Long Beach. Nov. 11, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Free. For details, visit longbeach.gov/pages/city-news/veterans-day/

San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade

The 20th Annual San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade will honor those who have served and pay tribute to veterans of the armed forces. Grand Marshal: State Sen. Caroline Menjivar (20th District), United States Marine Corps veteran.
Route: Starting at Laurel Canyon Blvd. and San Fernando Mission Blvd., south on Laurel Canyon to Paxton St. in Los Angeles. Nov. 11, 11:11 a.m. For details, visit sfvveteransdayparade.com

Orange County

Anaheim Veterans Day Ceremony

All veterans are honored in Anaheim at a special celebration hosted by the City of Anaheim. The public is invited to attend and pay tribute to the brave men and women who willingly served our country.

Anaheim Veterans Memorial Monument, 241 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim. Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. Free. Parking for the event is available in the parking structure behind Anaheim City Hall.

Veterans and civilians celebrate Veterans Day in Irvine, Calif., on Nov. 11, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
Veterans and civilians celebrate Veterans Day in Irvine, Calif., on Nov. 11, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Costa Mesa: Celebrating Veterans at Heroes Hall Museum

The ceremony will include the unveiling of a new plaque honoring our fallen heroes and veterans who served post 9/11. Music will be performed by All-American Boys Chorus. Activities include veteran service organization booths, kids’ activities, and food.
OC Fair & Event Center, Heroes Hall, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa. Nov. 11, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission and parking.

Irvine Veterans Day Ceremony

The City of Irvine hosts a special ceremony in the Formal Garden at Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park to pay tribute to our nation’s troops.
Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park, 4 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine. Nov. 11, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Free. For details, call 949-724-6606.

Orange Veterans Day Tribute

The City of Orange honors past veterans and current military.

Veterans Memorial at Depot Park, 100 N. Atchison St., Orange. Nov. 11, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Free. For details, call 714-744-7278.

Veterans gather at a Veterans Day celebration in the City of Orange, Calif., on Nov. 11, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
Veterans gather at a Veterans Day celebration in the City of Orange, Calif., on Nov. 11, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Yorba Linda Veterans Day Patriotic Concert

The Veterans Day celebration returns with a spectacular performance of patriotism by the Huntington Beach Concert Band.
Richard Nixon Library & Museum, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda. Nov. 11, 11:00 a.m. Free with RSVP. Veterans will receive free admission to the museum all day. Admission to the museum galleries for the general public is not included with RSVP. For details, call 714-993-5075.

Northern California

Sacramento Annual Veterans Day Parade

Activities include an opening ceremony, parade, vendors and resources, a car show, food trucks, and more. The theme of the event is inspired by 75 years of women’s integration into the military and the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War ending.

Route: Starts 11 a.m. at Crocker Park (211 O St.) and heads north on Third St., east on Capitol Mall, south on Ninth St., east on N St., north on 16th St., west on L St., and will end at Ninth St. at approximately 12:30 p.m.

The ceremony will begin in front of the California State Capitol at 1 p.m. Note: 10th St. will be closed between N and L streets from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Metered street parking is free all day.

San Francisco Mayor’s Salute to Veterans Parade

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Community Service Project hosts the parade, originally to honor the San Francisco 363rd Infantry Regiment of the 91st Division as it returned from France after the end of World War I.

Route: Fisherman’s Wharf at Jefferson St., past reviewing stands near Leavenworth St. and up Leavenworth to North Point. Nov. 11 at 11:00 a.m.

Veterans and civilians celebrate Veterans Day in Irvine, Calif., on Nov. 11, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
Veterans and civilians celebrate Veterans Day in Irvine, Calif., on Nov. 11, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

San Diego

Escondido VetFest Celebration and Parade on Grand

Hosted by American Legion Post 149, this annual event includes food, celebration, music, and more.
Nov. 11, parade from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at 101 E. Grand Ave. and celebration from 12 to 3:30 p.m. at 230 E. Park Ave., Escondido. For more information, visit escovetfest.com.

San Diego Veterans Day Parade

The annual event will emphasize several military milestone anniversaries. Activities include bands, floats, ceremonial vehicles, and marching units from organizations and military commands. Starts on N. Harbor Drive in front of the County Administration Center at 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego. Nov. 12 at 11 a.m. Will be streamed live at sdvetparade.org

Veterans Day Boat Parade

The parade presents boats decorated in patriotic themes, which will pass through several locations in the San Diego Bay. Activities include vintage plane flyovers, live Coast Guard demos, and more.
San Diego Bay. Nov. 12, at 9:30 a.m. The event will be livestreamed on the Fleet Week website at fleetweeksandiego.org and on Fleet Week San Diego on YouTube.

Military Family Day

This celebration event includes military displays, games, activities, food trucks, an MRE Cooking Contest, and a concert.
Broadway Pier, 1000 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego. Nov. 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is free for military families and the general public. A free shuttle will be offered roundtrip from the Broadway Pier to the Coast Guard Open House at Coast Guard Sector San Diego. For details, visit fleetweeksandiego.org