2021 Veterans Day Events and Deals in Central Florida .. #VeteransDay #VeteransDayDeals #VisitOrlando

- Michelle Snow

Veterans Day Specials in Central Florida

Veterans Day is this Thursday, November 11, and many Central Florida businesses are honoring former and current service members with events, deals, and specials.

Here are the deals specifically for veterans, U.S. Armed Forces members and military families, along with city-wide events to honor them:

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EVENTS

22nd annual Veterans Day Parade, Orlando – The parade begins at 11am on Saturday, Nov. 13, traveling along Orange Avenue, Central Boulevard and Rosalind Avenue in Orlando. This year’s parade will open with a tribute to those who have fought for our country and defended our freedom, led by Mayor Dyer and local veterans. The parade’s theme is “Remembering September 11” in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

Orange County’s Veterans Day Flag Raising Ceremony, Orlando – Mayor Jerry Demings and other officials will honor veterans with this event. The ceremony is 9-9:30 a.m. Nov. 11 at 201 S. Rosalind Ave. in Orlando and will be livestreamed on Facebook by Orange TV.

Lake Brantley High School, Altamonte Springs – Local veterans will be honored during this Veterans Day ceremony at its football stadium with a 21-gun salute, flag ceremony, flyovers and a band performance from 10am-10:30am on Nov. 11.

Lake Highland Preparatory School, Orlando – The free show, titled The Journey Home, takes place at 8:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. Nov. 11 at 901 N. Highland Ave. in Orlando. After each show, guests are invited to enjoy a complimentary breakfast (first show only) or BBQ lunch. Face masks are required indoors and reserved tickets are available. A virtual event is available online.

Orlando Science Center, Orlando – Will hold a wreath placing ceremony at 11am on Nov. 11 at the Red Tails monument outside by Loch Haven Park. Plus, veterans can enjoy complimentary admission through Nov. 14, with 50% off for their families.

Pulse Interim Memorial, Orlando – onePULSE Foundation will hold a Veterans Day ceremony to honor two victims of the June 2016 tragedy: Capt. Antonio Davon Brown of the U.S. Army Reserve and Spc. Angel Candelario-Padro of the Puerto Rico National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve from 10:30-11am on Nov. 11 at 1912 S. Orange Ave.

Veterans Memorial Park, Sanford – The City of Sanford will host a Veterans Day Ceremony to honor active and retired members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and National Guard at 11am on Nov. 11. Speakers include Sanford police chief Cecil E. Smith, who served in the Air Force, and Ed Burford, a retired member of the U.S. Army.

Winter Springs Town Center, Winter Springs – Mayor Kevin McCann will present this year’s Hometown Hero Award to a local veteran as the city honors our nation’s heroes with a presentation of colors from Winter Springs High School JROTC and a musical tribute from the high school’s band from 6-7pm on Nov. 11.

Winter Park Community Center Ruby Ball Amphitheater, Winter Park – At 10am on Nov. 11, the official program will begin with musical tributes, anecdotal speakers including guest speaker Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Tommie Maldonado, U.S. Army Retired, and recognition of veterans according to the various military branches served.

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ATTRACTIONS

Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales – Free admission for active and retired servicemen and women on Nov. 11.

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Sanford – All active duty and retired service members receive free entry with a paid single-day admission on Nov. 11.

Crayola Experience, Orlando – Offers a free bronze annual pass to military members (including active, retired and veterans), law enforcement, firefighters and EMTs. This includes unlimited visits for one year, 20 percent off on-site purchases and discounted tickets for friends and family.

Daytona Lagoon, Daytona Beach – Offering a free All-Day Play Pass to all active and retired military on Thursday, November 11, through Sunday, November 14.

Gatorland, Orlando – Active and retired military personnel receive free admission for the entire month of November in honor of Veterans Day. In addition, up to four family members can receive 20% off admission, unless they’re Florida Residents, then they get 50% off.

Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando – Offering free admission to veterans and active-duty military on Nov. 11.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Merritt Island – Honoring veterans, active-duty military and reservists with complimentary admission Nov. 11-14. Up to four additional guests can receive a 50 percent discount on admission.

The Wheel at Icon Park, Orlando – Free rides to retired and active military personnel Nov. 11-14, and their families can receive tickets for 50 percent off.

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RESTAURANTS

4 Rivers Smokehouse (Multiple Locations) – Offering a free sandwich and two classic sides to veterans on Nov. 11.

American Social, Dr. Phillips – 50 percent off checks for veterans and their families all day on Veterans Day.

Another Broken Egg Cafe (Multiple Locations) – Veterans and active-duty service members can enjoy a free Patriot French Toast Combo and coffee on November 11.

Applebee’s (Multiple Locations) – Serving complimentary full-size entrees to veterans on Nov. 11, from an exclusive menu created just for them, plus a $5 coupon off their next meal to be used within three weeks.

BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse (Multiple Locations) – Veterans and active-duty military get a free meal from a select menu on November 11.

The Boathouse, Disney Springs – Veterans get 20% off with valid ID on Nov. 11.

Bob Evans (Multiple Locations) – Active-duty military and veterans get a free meal from a special menu on Veterans Day.

Buffalo Wild Wings (Multiple Locations) – Offering active and retired military 10 free boneless wings and fries on Nov. 11.

Café Tu Tu Tango, Orlando – This I-Drive restaurant offers 10% off to all active military members and guests every day.

California Pizza Kitchen (Multiple Locations) – Offering a free entree and beverage with proof of service for active and retired military members on Veterans Day.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill (Multiple Locations) – All service members, veterans and first responders get 10 percent off.

Chevys Fresh Mex, Orlando – Honors veterans and active military with a free meal, a three-item combination plate, on Veterans Day at its newly opened Millena location.

Chicken Salad Chick (Multiple Locations) – On November 11, veterans and active-duty military will receive a free Chick Special and Regular Drink.

Chili’s (Multiple Locations) – Veterans and active-duty service members get a free meal from a select menu on November 11.

Cicis (Multiple Locations) – Offering a free adult buffet to all veterans and active-duty military on Nov. 11 with coupon found at link.

The Coop, Winter Park – Veterans get two free chicken tenders, two sides, and a fountain drink on Nov. 11.

Denny’s (Multiple Locations) – Veterans and active military personnel get a free Build Your Own Grand Slam on November 11, from 5am to noon.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit (Multiple Locations) – Offering pulled pork sandwiches to active duty or retired veterans on Nov. 11 for in-store and online pickup orders with the code VETFREE.

Duffy’s Sports Grill (Multiple Locations) – Veterans to eat free from 11am-4pm on Nov. 11 ($15 max).

Dunkin’ Donuts (Multiple Locations) – Veterans get a free doughnut of their choice on Nov. 11, no purchase necessary.

Friendly’s (Multiple Locations) – All veterans get a free cheeseburger, fries and a soft drink on Nov. 11.

Golden Corral (Multiple Locations) – Hosting Military Appreciation Night from 5pm to close Nov. 11 with a free “thank you dinner” for all veterans and active-duty military members.

Hard Rock Cafe, Universal Orlando CityWalk – Active-duty and retired military members get a free original Legendary Steak Burger on November 11.

IHOP (Multiple Locations) – Veterans and active-duty military get free Red, White & Blueberry Pancakes at participating locations on November 11.

Metro Diner (Multiple Locations) – All veterans receive 50 percent off on Nov. 11.

Mia’s Italian Kitchen, Orlando – This I-Drive restaurant offers 10% off to all active military members and guests every day.

Miller’s Ale House (Multiple Locations) – All veterans receive 50 percent off on Nov. 11.

On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina (Multiple Locations) – Free Pick 2 Combo to veterans.

Pollo Tropical (Multiple Locations) – Active-duty military and veterans will get a complimentary quarter chicken platter and two sides on Veterans Day.

Rainforest Cafe, Disney Springs/Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Veterans get 20% off with valid ID on Nov. 11.

Red Lobster (Multiple Locations) – Honoring veterans, active-duty military and reservists with a free appetizer or dessert on Nov. 11 with valid ID.

Rock & Brews (Multiple Locations) – Offering veterans, armed forces, and first responders a free entree from a special menu on Nov. 11.

Sonny’s BBQ (Multiple Locations) – Veterans and active-duty military get a free pork big deal on November 11.

Starbucks (Multiple Locations) – Veterans receive a free tall hot brewed coffee on Nov. 11, plus the company will donate 25 cents for every cup of hot coffee sold that day, to be divided evenly between Headstrong and Team Red, White & Blue to support the mental health of military communities.

T-Rex Cafe, Disney Springs – Veterans get 20% off with valid ID on Nov. 11.

Wendy’s (Multiple Locations) – Offering a free breakfast combo to those who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military from 6:30am-10:30am on Nov. 11.

White Castle, Orlando – Veterans and active-duty service members get a free combo meal or breakfast combo meal on Nov. 11.

World of Beer (Multiple Locations) – Honoring veterans and active-duty service members with $5 off their bill on Nov. 11.

Yak & Yeti Restaurant, Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Veterans get 20% off with valid ID on Nov. 11.

Yard House, Orlando – The ICON Park location celebrates veterans and active-duty military with a complimentary appetizer on Veterans Day.

Many establishments require an ID or DD-214 form as proof to receive the above deals.

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If you know of a Veterans Day special we missed, please leave the info in the comments.

Thank you to all who have who have served our country!

About Michelle Snow

Michelle is the owner and editor of CitySurfing Orlando. She also owns Zengrrl.com, is a freelance writer specializing in travel and entertainment, has authored/co-authored four guidebooks on Orlando and Florida, and is head editor/writer at TheDisneyBlog.com. She's lived in Orlando near Walt Disney World since 1995, and still finds there's so much fun to be had in Central Florida.
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