San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade 2026

The San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade turns 23 this year, and it keeps the same simple idea: put veterans and their families in the street, and let the neighborhood come out to thank them. The organizers describe it as the only Veterans Day parade in Los Angeles, which makes it a rare item among the things happening in Los Angeles on Wednesday, November 11.

When: Wednesday, Nov 11, 2026, 11:11 AM to about 12:30 PM Where: Laurel Canyon Blvd, ending at the Ritchie Valens Recreation Center, 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Pacoima Price: Free to watch

What to expect

The parade begins at Laurel Canyon Blvd and San Fernando Mission Blvd and heads south along Laurel Canyon Blvd to the Ritchie Valens Recreation Center in Pacoima. The 11:11 AM start is a nod to the armistice that ended World War I on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the moment Veterans Day grew out of.

Veterans ride in the parade together with their immediate family, so the procession is a mix of uniforms, vehicles and relatives waving from the windows. Thousands of residents line the route every year, many with flags and folding chairs, and the crowd is part of the show. Expect a community feel, not a ticketed spectacle: neighbors, school groups and families who have been coming for years.

Planning your visit

Watching costs nothing, and there is no ticket to buy. That makes it an easy pick if you are scanning upcoming events in Los Angeles for something free on a weekday morning. A few practical notes:

• Arrive early. Staking out a spot along Laurel Canyon Blvd before the 11:11 AM step-off beats squeezing in once the street fills.
• Bring a hat, water and a chair. November mornings in the Valley can swing from cool to warm quickly.
• Expect street closures along the route and limited parking nearby. Carpooling or being dropped off is the smoother option.
• Check the official parade site for any last-minute route or schedule changes before you go.

The finish at the Ritchie Valens Recreation Center puts the end of the route in the heart of Pacoima, a Northeast San Fernando Valley community with deep ties to the veterans who live there. If you want to stay in the area afterward, the surrounding streets have plenty of local places to eat.

Why go

Plenty of Veterans Day plans are quiet ones. This parade is a chance to be present for the people the day is about, in person, alongside thousands of neighbors. It also suits kids, who get a front-row view of marching units, military vehicles and a community saying thank you out loud.

Browse more festivals across the city, or see what else is on this week among the events in Los Angeles.

For the latest details, see the official parade website and the LA County Military and Veterans Affairs listing.