Family Friendly Community Events Happening Near You

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the history of Veterans Day dates back to 1918. World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Numerous businesses find unique ways to celebrate Veterans Day. A list of Veterans Day deals available Nationwide can be found here. You can find businesses in the DMV area offering Veterans Day specials below.

1. Applebees: Free meal from a specific menu on Veterans Day
2. Buffalo Wild Wings: Free order of 10 Boneless Wings and Fries on Nov. 11. This offer is valid for dine-in service upon presentation of a valid ID
3. Dream Ellison: Free potty training book with promo code “Veteran”. While Supplies Last.
4. Dunkin’: Free donut to active-duty military members and veterans.
5. Krispy Kreme: Free original glazed donut and coffee on Veterans Day
6. Bob Evans: Free meal to veterans and active-duty military personnel on Veterans Day. Diners can select from 10 different breakfast items from a special menu available throughout the day.
7. Chili’s Grill & Bar: Free meal on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2023. Dining is limited to inside the restaurant and a valid military ID or proof of service is required.
8. Freddy’s Frozen Custard: Free Original Double with Cheese combo meal card
9. George Washington’s Mount Vernon: Free admission on November 11th
10. Golden Corral: Military Appreciation Night from 5 p.m. to close on Monday, November 13th. Active and former military members enjoy a free meal. Dine-in only.
11. Grace for Vets: Free car wash on November 11th
12. Great Clips: Free haircut cards on November 11th for a future visit
13. Logan’s Roadhouse: Free meal from a special menu on Veterans Day, November 11, between 11 AM and 3 PM
14. Sports Clips: Free Haircuts on November 11th
15. Texas Roadhouse: Free meal vouchers to veterans from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Veterans Day
16. Red Robin: Free Red's Tavern Double burger and Bottomless Steak Fries on Veterans Day
17. Crumbl Cookies: Free cookie November 6-11th
18. Insomnia Cookies: Free six-pack of warm, late-night cookies with any purchase
19. Hooter’s: Free dinner entrée from the Veterans Day Menu to veterans and active-duty military on November 11th. Eligible guests must show proof of service and purchase a drink. This dine-in offer is valid at select Hooters locations.
20. IHOP: Free Red, White & Blueberry Pancakes to veterans and active-duty military at participating locations. A valid military ID or proof of service is required, dine-in only.
21. Smoothie King: Free 20-ounce smoothie to veterans showing a valid military ID on Veterans Day
22. Wendy’s: Free breakfast combo for active military members and veterans during breakfast hours on Veterans Day
23. Au Bon Pain: Free breakfast sandwich and small drip coffee on November 10th
24. Bar Louie: Free craft burger for all active duty and veterans on November 11th
25. Bonefish Grill: Free Bang Bang Shrimp and non-alcoholic beverage to active duty military and veterans on Veterans Day
26. California Pizza Kitchen: Free entrée to all veterans and active-duty military personnel on Veterans Day
27. Cici’s Pizza: Veterans receive a free adult buffet on Veterans Day
28. Cracker Barrel: Veterans can enjoy a free slice of double fudge Coca-Cola cake with their meal on Veterans Day
29. Dave & Buster's: Free entree up to $20 and $10 Power Card
30. Denny’s: Free grand slam breakfast on November 10th from 5 a.m. to noon
31. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: Free pulled pork classic sandwich on Veterans Day
32. District Doughnut: Free hot cup of coffee and 15% discount off other items on Veterans Day
33. Duck Doughnuts: Free doughnut at participating locations on Veterans Day
34. Einstein Bros Bagels: Free hot or iced coffee of any size with a purchase on Veterans Day
35. Famous Dave’s: Free Georgia chopped pork sandwich and a side on Veteran’s Day
36. Firebirds: Free meal on November 10th
37. Founding Farmers: Dine for half off your meal November 10-11th
38. Ikea: Free meal to veterans from November 10-12
39. Little Caesars: Free lunch combo on November 11th
40. McCormick & Schmick’s: Half off meal on November 12th
41. Mission BBQ: Free sandwich on Veterans Day
42. Olive Garden: Free entrée from special Veterans Day menu
43. Outback Steakhouse: Free Bloomin' Onion and Coca-Cola on Veterans Day
44. Peet’s Coffee: Free small drip coffee or tea on Veterans Day
45. Red Lobster: Free Walt's Favorite Shrimp, Fries, and Coleslaw, with proof of service or valid Military ID on Veterans Day
46. Rosa Mexicano: Free entrée on November 10th and 11th
47. Sheetz: Free half-turkey sub and regular fountain drink on Veterans Day
48. Smashburger: Free double classic smash on Veterans Day
49. Smokey Bones: Free Create Your Own Combo meal on Veterans Day
50. Starbucks: Free tall hot or iced coffee on November 11th
51. T.G.I. Fridays: Free lunch on Veterans Day. Dine in Only
52. The Green Turtle: Free entree, valued up to $15, on November 11th
53. Wawa: Free coffee on Veterans Day
54. Yard House: Free appetizer on November 11th

Other family friendly activities coming to an area near you include:

1. 9 Nov – 24 Dec: Photos with Santa at Tysons Corner Center in Tysons Corner, VA
2. 11 Nov: History in the Kitchen at George Mason’s Gunston Hall in Mason Neck, VA
3. 11 Nov: Family Day: Veteran’s Day at National Museum of the Marine Corps
4. 11 Nov: Spirit Park Anniversary Ceremony and Concertat National Harbor, MD
5. 15 Nov: Abiding Mainly Music at Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in Burke, VA
6. 17 Nov: Holiday Kick-off Celebration at Tysons Corner Center in Tysons Corner, VA
7. 18 Nov: Annual Town Tree Lighting in Occoquan, VA
8. 18 Nov: Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway in Dumfries, VA
9. 18-19 Nov: Holiday Craft Show in Fairfax, VA
10. 19 Nov: The Underwater Bubble Show at George Mason Center for the Arts in Fairfax, VA
11. 19 Nov: Southwest Skates! Preview of the Wharf Ice Rink in Washington, DC
12. 19 Nov: Morais Vineyards Fall Festival
13. 25 Nov: Old Town Manassas Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show in Manassas, VA
14. Various Dates 24 Nov – 17 Dec: Christmas Corner Market in Centreville, VA
15. 1-3 Dec: City of Fairfax Holiday Market
16. 1 Dec: Santa Lights Manassas in Manassas, VA
17. 2 Dec: Christmastide at Gunston Hall in Mason Neck, VA
18. 2 Dec: City of Fairfax Festival of Lights and Carols
19. 2 Dec: 77th Greater Manassas Christmas Parade in Manassas, VA
20. 2 Dec: Bagels with Santa at Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in Burke, VA
21. 2 Dec: Fredericksburg Christmas Parade
22. 2 Dec: The District’s Holiday Boat Parade at The Wharf in Washington, DC
23. 2 Dec: One Loudoun’s Annual Tree Lighting in Ashburn, VA
24. 2-3 Dec: Holiday Artisan Market at Occoquan, VA
25. 3 Dec: Holiday Carriage Rides at Manassas Railroad Depot in Manassas, VA
26. 3 Dec: St. Nicholas Market at St. Rita Catholic Church in Alexandria, VA
27. 8-10 Dec: City of Fairfax Holiday Market
28. 9 Dec: History in the Kitchen at George Mason’s Gunston Hall in Mason Neck, VA
29. 9 Dec: VRE Santa Train. Tickets go on sale Nov 27th.
30. 9 Dec: Holiday Market & Santa Train in Manassas, VA
31. 9 Dec: Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department Pancakes with Santa
32. 9 Dec: Old Town Alexandria Christmas Fair and Holiday Craft Show
33. 9 Dec: Claus and Cookies in Fairfax, VA. Pre-registration is required.
34. 9 Dec: Nokesville Christmas Parade
35. 10 Dec: Holiday Carriage Rides at Manassas Railroad Depot in Manassas, Va
36. 13 Dec: Abiding Mainly Music Special Christmas Party at Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in Burke ,VA
37. 15 Dec: Bill of Rights Day at George Mason’s Gunston Hall in Mason Neck, VA
38. 15-16 Dec: Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
39. 16 Dec: Breakfast with Santa at Manassas Park Community Center
40. 13 Jan 2024: History in the Kitchen at George Mason’s Gunston Hall in Mason Neck, VA
41. 10 Feb 2024: History in the Kitchen at George Mason’s Gunston Hall in Mason Neck, VA
42. 10-11 Feb 2024: FXBG KidFest at Fredericksburg Convention Center
43. 9 Mar 2024: History in the Kitchen at George Mason’s Gunston Hall in Mason Neck, VA
44. 6 Apr 2024: Mutts Gone Nuts at George Mason Center for the Arts in Fairfax, VA
45. April 2024: Cars & Coffee Car Show in Alexandria, VA
46. 21 Apr 2024: The Okee Dokee Brothers at George Mason Center for the Arts in Fairfax, VA
47. 27 April 2024: BVFRD Fire Drill 5K and 1M Fun Run at Burke Lake Park
48. 1-2 June 2024: Riverfest & Craft Show in Occoquan, VA
49. 19 Oct 2024: Centreville Day in Centreville, VA

Are you the owner of a home based daycare or does your non-profit organization deal with young families? Eartha’s United Learning Advocacy (EULA) Program has successfully donated books to the local community, to include the United Service Organizations (USO). The goal of EULA is to provide organizations and independently owned daycare/preschools with quality books that make learning about staying healthy fun. Dream Ellison sponsors the EULA Program and looks forward to collaborating with other authors who focus on early education. In addition to opportunities to collaborate, the EULA Program is a proud supporter of the Fairfax County Park Foundation – McLean Central Park Playground.

The Washington Capitals launched a Try Hockey for Free Program that offers ball hockey clinics to kids ages 5-17 in order to provide FREE access to the game for kids and families across the Washington D.C. area who have never participated in the sport before. Each participant will learn the basics of hockey (stickhandling, passing, and shooting) and will receive a hockey stick and ball to take home following the event to encourage continued development. Clinics will be held at various Washington Capitals outdoor ball hockey rinks in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. This program is designed to be an introduction to the game for the participants and the first opportunity to reach the families in our community who are looking for more affordable options to play. View the Fall clinic schedule here.

Please message dreamellisonllc@gmail.com to have your events listed in future articles. Information provided is from public sources. Please confirm details with event hosts.