Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and Lubbock is spreading the thanks across the whole week. There’s a free day at one of the country’s most unusual World War II museums, a Veterans Day Mass, a Broadway parade and a resource fair for veterans and their families. Here’s what’s happening, with times, places and links, plus the national free-meal offers to check before you head out.
🎖 Wednesday, Nov. 11: Veterans Day
Silent Wings Museum: free all day, ceremony at 11 a.m. The museum at 6202 N. I-27 (Exit 9), in the old airport terminal, is waiving admission for the day, according to the city’s event listing. The Estacado High School Color Guard opens the 11 a.m. ceremony. City Council member Dr. Jennifer Wilson presents the city’s proclamation, followed by a talk and a performance by the All Saints Episcopal School Children’s Choir. All day, visitors can write notes to service members and pick up a poppy. New to the museum? Read our look at Silent Wings and its World War II glider pilot story.
Big band night, 6 to 8 p.m. Silent Wings stays open that evening for big band music by Finessence, with a cash bar. The Helen Jones Foundation supports the day. Questions: 806-775-3049.
Catholic War Veterans Mass, 11 a.m. Lubbock’s Catholic War Veterans invite the community to a Veterans Day Mass honoring all who have served, at Christ the King Cathedral, 4011 54th St., according to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Slaton. Contact: Keith J. Thomas, 806-445-4782. It’s at the same hour as the Silent Wings ceremony, so pick one, or catch the museum in the afternoon.
Stockings for Soldiers at Texas Tech, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Texas Tech’s Military & Veterans Programs and Stockings for Soldiers are making “Snowman Soup” cocoa care packets for service members at the Texas Tech Police Department, per the university’s event listing.
🇺🇸 Saturday, Nov. 14: The parade and the Salute
Lubbock Veterans Day Parade, 10 a.m. This year’s theme is “250 Years of Freedom.” The parade starts at Avenue A and Broadway, heads east on Broadway and ends at the American Windmill Museum, 1701 Canyon Lake Drive. Organizers say the route changed because of construction on Broadway. Los Hermanos Familia and Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 0900 host it. Get there early with a chair and a jacket. Our parade preview has viewing tips and the call for World War II veterans to serve as grand marshals.
Want to march? Entry is free for most groups, with donations encouraged. Political entries pay $100, and throwing candy isn’t allowed. Participant check-in runs 8:30 to 9:45 a.m., and there’s a participant meeting Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 6 p.m. at Premiere Cinemas. Register on the parade page.
West Texas Salute to Veterans, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. At the parade’s finish line, the American Windmill Museum hosts the 10th West Texas Salute to Veterans, honoring veterans, service members and military families along with the nation’s 250th anniversary. Expect veteran resources, vendors, food and family activities. Admission is free, according to the event listing. Questions: wtsv.lubbock@gmail.com.
🍴 Free meals and deals for veterans on Nov. 11
These national offers come from the VA News 2026 Veterans Day list. Most require military ID or proof of service, many are dine-in only, and every one is at participating locations. Call your Lubbock location before you go, because we haven’t confirmed which local stores are taking part.
- Applebee’s: a free entrée
- Chili’s: a free entrée from a select menu
- Cotton Patch Cafe: a free chicken-fried steak or chicken-fried chicken
- Denny’s: a free Grand Slam, 5 a.m. to noon
- Golden Corral: a free buffet at its Military Appreciation Night
- Freddy’s: a free combo card, good through Nov. 25
- Red Lobster: free Shrimp & Chips
- Red Robin: a free Big Tavern Burger
- Starbucks: a free 12-ounce brewed coffee for veterans, service members and military spouses
- Torchy’s Tacos: a free taco and drink
- Haircuts: free at Great Clips; free or discounted at Sport Clips
- Shopping: 30% off at Kohl’s (Nov. 10 and 11), 20% off in-store at Walgreens and 10% off at Tractor Supply
🤝 More ways to say thanks
- Nominate a World War II veteran as a parade grand marshal by emailing their name and contact information to loshermanosfamilia@gmail.com.
- Bring a veteran you love to Silent Wings on Nov. 11 and write a note together at the museum’s card table.
- Volunteer or march with your church, school or club on Nov. 14.
Planning further ahead? Our Thanksgiving and Black Friday guide and holiday events guide pick up where this one leaves off. Know of a Veterans Day event we missed? Tell us and we’ll add it.
Sources
- City of Lubbock calendar, Veterans Day at Silent Wings Museum: https://www.mylubbock.us/Calendar.aspx?EID=3915
- Los Hermanos Familia, 2026 Veterans Day Parade registration page: https://loshermanosfamilia.redpodium.com/2026-veterans-day-parade-
- West Texas Salute to Veterans event listing (Combined Arms): https://www.combinedarms.us/events/wtxsalute
- St. Joseph Catholic Church, Slaton, Catholic War Veterans Mass listing: https://stjslaton.com/events/catholic-war-veterans-mass-2026
- Texas Tech TechConnect, Stockings for Soldiers: https://techconnect.dsa.ttu.edu/event/12600997
- VA News, 2026 Veterans Day discounts, free meals and offers: https://news.va.gov/150505/2026-veterans-day-discounts-free-meals-offers/
- Hub City UnCovered, Veterans Day Parade preview (Oct. 23): https://hubcityuncovered.com/lubbocks-veterans-day-parade-is-nov-14-route-time-and-how-to-take-part/
- Featured photo: Windmills at American Wind Power Center in Lubbock, TX, by Billy Hathorn via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
