Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11. Here is a quick, where-and-when checklist: what is closed, what is free, and which meal offers we confirmed on the business’s own page.
What’s closed, and what isn’t
- Lubbock County offices: Closed. Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, is on the county’s 2026 holiday list approved by Commissioners Court.
- City of Lubbock: Not confirmed. The city’s employee page lists Veterans Day as a “floating holiday” and says city business offices “generally close for holidays,” so call 806-775-3000 before you go to a city office (City of Lubbock). We did not find an official city notice about trash pickup.
- Citibus: Its schedule page lists no service only on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Veterans Day isn’t on that list, but the page looks dated, so check citibus.com.
- South Plains Food Bank: Closed for Veterans Day, as noted in our Heart for the Holidays story.
- Libraries: The city calendar lists programs at Lubbock libraries that day, including Veterans Day Picture Frames at Groves Branch, 5520 19th St., 4 to 5 p.m. (city calendar).
Where to go: ceremonies and events
- Tuesday, Nov. 10 (free job fair): Hiring Red, White & You!, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., MCM Elegante Hotel & Suites, 801 Avenue Q. Veterans enter at 10; the public at 11 (KCBD).
- Wednesday, Nov. 11: Silent Wings Museum, 6202 N. I-27, is listed on the city calendar from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; the West Texas State Veterans Cemetery program is at 2 p.m. Times, contacts and the Texas Tech care-package event are in our full Veterans Day guide.
- All week: The Lubbock County Courthouse is lit green through Nov. 11 for Operation Green Light, per KCBD.
- Saturday, Nov. 14: The Veterans Day Parade, 10 a.m., and the West Texas Salute to Veterans, covered in our guide.
Free meals we confirmed on the company’s own page
Offers are for veterans and active-duty military with proof of service, at participating locations. We confirmed each below on the company’s website, not that every Lubbock location is taking part, so call first.
- Bubba’s 33, 6210 Slide Road (806-702-7070): A free lunch Wednesday, Nov. 11, available until 4 p.m., for active, former or retired military. ID may be requested; it covers select entrées and can’t be combined with other offers (Bubba’s 33, Lubbock location).
- Applebee’s: One free entrée from a seven-item Veterans Day menu, dine-in only, Nov. 11. Drinks and gratuity aren’t included, and it’s limited to one meal per person (Applebee’s).
- Chili’s: A free meal for veterans and active military on Nov. 11 at participating restaurants, in-restaurant only for select items. Chili’s asks guests to call their local restaurant with questions (Chili’s).
- Red Robin: A free Red’s Big Tavern Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries, dine-in only, with proof of service (Red Robin).
Reported, but not yet confirmed by us
Texas Roadhouse will hand out free meal vouchers from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, redeemable through May 31, 2027, according to FSR magazine. We could not load the company’s own page. Many other national chains, including Denny’s, Cotton Patch, Golden Corral and Starbucks, appear on the VA News list, which tells readers to verify with each business. We have not confirmed those on company pages, so check before you drive.
Sources
- Lubbock County, 2026 County Holidays (signed Sept. 22, 2025): https://www.lubbockcounty.gov/egov/documents/1765301317_00659.pdf
- City of Lubbock, Additional Benefits and Leave (holidays): https://www.mylubbock.us/968/Additional-Benefits-and-Leave
- City of Lubbock calendar: https://www.mylubbock.us/calendar.aspx?view=list
- Citibus, Maps and Schedules: https://citibus.com/maps-and-schedules/
- KCBD, Nov. 6: Hiring Red, White & You! Nov. 10: https://www.kcbd.com/2026/11/06/workforce-solutions-south-plains-host-hiring-red-white-you-veterans-job-fair-nov-10/
- KCBD, Nov. 5: courthouse lit green (Operation Green Light): https://www.kcbd.com/video/2026/11/05/lubbock-county-courthouse-lit-up-green-honor-veterans-through-nov-11/
- Bubba's 33: https://www.bubbas33.com/
- Bubba's 33 Lubbock location: https://www.bubbas33.com/locations/texas/lubbock
- Applebee's: https://www.applebees.com/en/veterans-day-free-meals
- Chili's: https://www.chilis.com/restaurant-events/veterans-day
- Red Robin: https://www.redrobin.com/veterans-day
- FSR magazine, Oct. 27: Texas Roadhouse vouchers: https://www.fsrmagazine.com/industry-news/texas-roadhouse-to-offer-free-meal-vouchers-to-veterans-and-active-duty-military/
- VA News 2026 Veterans Day offers list: https://news.va.gov/150505/2026-veterans-day-discounts-free-meals-offers/
- Hub City UnCovered Veterans Day guide: https://hubcityuncovered.com/lubbock-veterans-day-2026-events-free-meals/
- Hub City UnCovered Heart for the Holidays: https://hubcityuncovered.com/heart-for-the-holidays-2026-volunteer-partners-two-weeks-out/
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