NWI Veterans Day Guide - Ceremonies, Events, Community Meals & Promotions 🏅

From local ceremonies and tributes to community events, free meals, restaurant offers, and free admission, we've gathered ways to recognize and thank our veterans throughout Northwest Indiana.

Whether you attend a ceremony, share a meal, or simply take a moment to thank a veteran, every gesture matters.

✨ Please check individual links for details, eligibility requirements, registration, and availability.

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🏅 CEREMONIES & TRIBUTES 🏅
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🏅 Valpo Parks Veterans Day Observance
VALPARAISO
📅 November 6
Click for Details

🏅 13th Annual Veterans Appreciation Day Parade
HAMMOND
📅 November 7
Click for Details

🏅 LOFS Honor Veterans
WINFIELD
📅 November 9
Click for Details

🏅 Veterans Day Ceremony
EAST CHICAGO
📅 November 10
Click for Details

🏅 Veterans Day Ceremony
CROWN POINT
📅 November 11
Click for Details

🏅 Veterans Day Ceremony
DYER
📅 November 11
Click for Details

🏅 Veterans Day Ceremony
HIGHLAND
📅 November 11
Click for Details

🏅 Veterans Day Service
MERRILLVILLE
📅 November 11
Click for Details

🏅 Veterans Day Parade & Ceremony
WHITING
📅 November 11
Click for Details

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⭐ VETERANS DAY MEMORIALS ⭐
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Northwest Indiana is home to a wide array of veterans memorials that honor the brave men and women who have served our country. Spanning Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties, these memorials range from expansive parks with life-size sculptures to quiet walkways etched with the names of local heroes.
Click for Details

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🎬 VETERANS DAY EVENTS 🎬
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🏅 Veterans Day Film – Flying for Freedom: Untold Stories of the Tuskegee Airmen
CHESTERTON
📅 November 11
Click for Details

🏅 Veterans Day Film
GARY
📅 November 11
Click for Details

🏅 VNA Hospice NWI Military Stand Down
VALPARAISO
📅 November 18
✨ free haircuts, food & drinks
Click for Details

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🍽️ FREE COMMUNITY MEALS & BREAKFASTS 🍽️
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🏅 2026 Veterans Appreciation Celebration & Dinner
PORTAGE
📅 November 7
💵 Veterans are FREE
Click for Details

🏅 Veterans Thanksgiving
HIGHLAND
📅 November 10
💵 FREE Thanksgiving Dinner for Veterans
✨ One guest per person allowed; advance registration required
Click for Details

🏅 Veterans Day Breakfast
MICHIGAN CITY
📅 November 11
💵 Veterans eat FREE
Click for Details

🏅 Veterans Day Luncheon
MICHIGAN CITY
📅 November 11
💵 Veterans & 1 Guest eat FREE
Click for Details

🏅 Stars & Stripes Veterans Luncheon
SCHERERVILLE
📅 November 11
💵 Veterans eat FREE
Click for Details

🏅 Veterans Spaghetti Dinner
WHITING
📅 November 11
💵 Veterans eat FREE
Click for Details

🏅 Annual Veteran's Day Breakfast
VALPARAISO
📅 November 12
💵 Veterans eat FREE
Click for Details

🏅 10th Annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner
VALPARAISO
📅 November 15
💵 Veterans are FREE
✨ registration is required
Click for Details

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🎁 FREE PROMOTIONS & SPECIAL OFFERS 🎁
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🏅 Veterans Day at Mission BBQ
HIGHLAND
📅 November 11
💵 FREE Sandwich for Veterans & Active-Duty
✨ National Anthem at noon
Click for Details

🏅 Veterans Day at Langel's Pizza
HIGHLAND
📅 November 11
💵 FREE Menu for Veterans
Click for Details

🏅 Veterans Day at Mission BBQ
MERRILLVILLE
📅 November 11
💵 FREE Sandwich for Veterans & Active-Duty
✨ National Anthem at noon
Click for Details

🏅 Veterans Day Special at Hacienda
MICHIGAN CITY
📅 November 11
💵 Veterans receive FREE large wet burrito
✨ Proof of service required; dine-in or carryout
Click for Details

🏅 Veterans Day at Bob Evans
CHESTERTON, VALPARAISO
📅 November 11
💵 FREE Menu for Veterans
Click for Details

🏅 Veterans Day Breakfast at Cracker Barrel
HAMMOND, MERILLVILLE
📅 November 11
💵 FREE Sunrise Pancake Special for Veterans
Click for Details

🏅 Military Appreciation Night at Golden Corral
MERRILLVILLE, SCHERERVILLE
📅 November 11
💵 FREE Buffet & Beverage for Veterans
Click for Details

🏅 Heroes Eat Free Veterans Day at IHOP
MERRILLVILLE, MICHIGAN CITY, SCHERERVILLE
📅 November 11
💵 FREE Red, White & Blue Pancake Combo for Veterans
Click for Details

🏅 Veterans Day at Applebee's
PORTAGE, VALPARAISO, MERRILLVILLE, MUNSTER
📅 November 11
💵 FREE Menu for Veterans
Click for Details

🏅 Veterans Day Voucher at Texas Roadhouse
CROWN POINT, DYER, PORTAGE
📅 November 11
💵 FREE Meal Voucher
✨ Pick up voucher 11 AM–2 PM on Veterans Day. Redeemable through May 31, 2027.
Click for Details

Additional Veterans Day Deals and Discounts, list courtesy of American Legion:
Click for Details

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🎟️ FREE ADDMISSION & TRANSPORTATION 🎟️
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🏅 Indiana Dunes State Park
CHESTERTON
📅 November 11
💵 FREE Entrance for Veterans & Active Duty
✨ Tell the gate attendant you are a veteran or currently serving on active duty.
Click for Details

🏅 Veterans Day at The LaPorte County Historical Museum
LA PORTE
📅 November 11
💵 FREE Admission for Veterans
Click for Details

🏅 IU Northwest RedHawks Home Court Heroes
GARY
📅 November 11
💵 FREE Admission & Limited-Edition gift (while supplies last)
Click for Details

🏅 South Shore Line
📅 November 7-11
✨ All Veterans and active-duty military personnel ride FREE without showing identification.
Click for Details

*Photo Courtesy of City of Crown Point