November and December are the busiest months of the year for honoring those who have served. Across Arizona, communities are hosting parades, ceremonies, resource fairs, charity runs and remembrance events that bring veterans, families and neighbors together.
Whether you’re a veteran looking for resources and connection, an employer planning a team outing or a family looking to say thank you, here are the veteran events we’re most excited about in Arizona this November and December.
November 2026
ARIZONA@WORK Yuma Veterans Benefit Expo
Friday, Nov. 6 | 9 a.m. to noon | Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Career Center, 300 S. 13th Ave., Yuma
This annual expo connects veterans and their dependents with benefits, services and employment resources in one place. It is free to attend, and it’s a good first stop for veterans in Southwest Arizona looking to understand what support is available to them.
Employment & Education Services Fair at Davis-Monthan AFB
Friday, Nov. 6 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, 5355 E. Granite St., Bldg. 2441, Tucson
Hosted by the base’s Military & Family Readiness Center, this free fair brings together employers and education providers for transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses in Southern Arizona.
Pima Community College Veterans Day Celebration & Resource Fair
Friday, Nov. 6 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Pima Community College, 7211 S. Park Ave., Tucson
Now in its 13th year, PCC’s celebration includes guest speakers, a Quilts of Valor ceremony and a resource fair for veterans and their families. Free and open to the community.
A Veteran’s Day Weekend Celebration
Saturday, Nov. 7 | 1 to 4 p.m. | Lacuna Phoenix, 914 N. 5th St., Phoenix
Organized by Be Great & Create around the theme of art, community and education, this free downtown Phoenix celebration features live music and performances, art and wellness experiences, local food vendors and a hub of veteran resources and community connections. Ages 18 and up.
Navy Week Northern Arizona
Monday, Nov. 9 through Sunday, Nov. 15 | Flagstaff and surrounding Northern Arizona communities
Sailors from across the fleet visit Northern Arizona for a week of performances, school visits, community service projects and veteran outreach. It’s a rare chance for Arizonans far from any coast to meet the Navy up close during Veterans Day week.
Honoring America’s Veterans Phoenix Veterans Day Parade
Wednesday, Nov. 11 | 11 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m. | Third Street, from McDowell Road north to Indian School Road, Phoenix
Arizona’s largest Veterans Day parade marks its 30th anniversary with a new route up Third Street and an America 250 theme. More than 45,000 spectators are expected to cheer on veterans, military units, marching bands and community floats, with Super Bowl XX champion quarterback Jim McMahon serving as celebrity grand marshal and seven Arizona veterans representing every era of service as Veterans Grand Marshals. Free to attend; street parking is first come, first served.
East Valley Veterans Parade
Wednesday, Nov. 11 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Downtown Mesa, starting at Center Street and University Drive
Mesa’s beloved community parade honors local veterans, active-duty military and their families with this year’s theme, “Nifty 250, Freedom Ain’t Free,” celebrating 250 years of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps. Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Jerry D. Holmes serves as grand marshal, and veterans, active military and up to six guests receive free admission to the Arizona Museum of Natural History that day. Free to attend.
Prescott Veterans Day Parade
Wednesday, Nov. 11 | Opening ceremonies 10:30 a.m., parade 11 a.m. | Downtown Prescott, Cortez and Union streets
Prescott’s historic downtown fills with marching units, veteran service organizations, music and motorized groups for one of Northern Arizona’s largest Veterans Day celebrations. This year’s theme is “Remember the Past. Serve the Present. Inspire the Future.” Free to attend.
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Veterans Day Parade & Program
Wednesday, Nov. 11 | 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. | Community Building, 1880 N. Longmore Road, Scottsdale
SRPMIC’s annual parade and program honors Native American veterans and all who have served, followed by a community gathering with arts and crafts vendors.
Anthem Veterans Day Ceremony
Wednesday, Nov. 11 | 10 to 11:15 a.m. | Anthem Veterans Memorial, Community Park, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Pkwy., Anthem
One of Arizona’s most moving Veterans Day traditions takes place at the Anthem Veterans Memorial, where at precisely 11:11 a.m. the sun aligns through the memorial’s five pillars to illuminate the Great Seal of the United States. The ceremony features a keynote by retired Rear Adm. Ron Tucker, the Anthem Veterans Service Award and music by Musical Theatre of Anthem. Bring lawn chairs; seating and parking are limited.
American Indian Veterans Day & Sunset Tribute at the Heard Museum
Wednesday, Nov. 11 | 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
The Heard Museum’s 14th annual tribute honors American Indian veterans, who serve in the U.S. military at higher rates than any other group, with a day of programming capped by a sunset tribute. Free.
Veterans Day Gourd Dance & Community Potluck at S’edav Va’aki Museum
Wednesday, Nov. 11 | S’edav Va’aki Museum, 4619 E. Washington St., Phoenix
The City of Phoenix’s S’edav Va’aki Museum (formerly Pueblo Grande) hosts a traditional gourd dance honoring veterans, followed by a community potluck.
Tucson Veterans Day Parade
Wednesday, Nov. 11 | 11 a.m. | Downtown Tucson, circling the Tucson Convention Center
Now in its 107th year, Tucson’s Veterans Day Parade is one of the oldest in the nation. Hosted by the Tucson Veterans Day Parade Foundation, it draws thousands of spectators downtown to honor Southern Arizona’s large veteran community and the airmen of nearby Davis-Monthan AFB.
Soldier’s Best Friend 16th Annual Charity Golf Classic
Friday, Nov. 13 | Registration 7 a.m., shotgun start 8 a.m. | Arizona Biltmore Golf Club (Links Course), Phoenix
This morning golf fundraiser supports Soldier’s Best Friend, the Arizona nonprofit that pairs service and therapeutic companion dogs with veterans living with PTSD or traumatic brain injury at no cost to the veteran. $225 per golfer or $850 per foursome, with sponsorships available; lunch follows at 1 p.m.
Daisy Mountain Veterans Parade
Saturday, Nov. 14 | Parade 10 a.m., Picnic in the Park noon | Memorial Drive and Gavilan Peak Parkway to the Anthem Community Center, Anthem
The 22nd annual Daisy Mountain Veterans Parade honors veterans from every era of U.S. military history, with grand marshals representing each one. Stick around for the Picnic in the Park with food trucks, kids’ activities and a FrogX parachute team jump. Free to attend.
AZ Veterans Day Run
Saturday, Nov. 14 | Check-in 7 a.m., 10K 8 a.m., 5K 8:15 a.m., 1 Mile 8:30 a.m. | Kiwanis Park, Tempe
Hosted by Team Red, White & Blue Phoenix and StartLine Racing, the 14th annual AZ Veterans Day Run is chip-timed, gives every finisher a custom medal and sends a portion of proceeds to Team RWB. This year’s run honors the U.S. Space Force. Registration starts at $30 for the 1 Mile and $45 for the 5K.
Veterans Day Freedom Run 5K/10K/13.1
Saturday, Nov. 14 | Waves at 7:30, 8 and 8:30 a.m. | G.R. Herberger Park, Phoenix
A small, capped-wave community run with 5K, 10K and half-marathon distances, plus a 1-mile family fun run and virtual option. Participants can fundraise for the veteran cause of their choice, and waves do sell out, so register early.
Be Connected: Welcome to Be Connected Webinar (for employers and HR teams)
Wednesday, Nov. 18 and Wednesday, Dec. 16 | 9 to 10:15 a.m. | Online
Arizona’s Be Connected program offers a free live webinar on how to connect service members, veterans and their families to resources. It’s a practical hour for any company building out its veteran hiring and support efforts.
Nov. 18 details | Dec. 16 details
Pinal County Veterans Stand Down & Resource Fair
Saturday, Nov. 21 | 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. | HOHP Veterans Transition Center, 5497 W. McCartney Road, Coolidge
More than 50 service providers gather to help veterans with VA benefits, healthcare, housing, employment resources, free meals and giveaways. Free for all veterans and their families; bring your DD-214 and ID if you have them.
DAV RecruitMilitary National Virtual Career Fair
Tuesday, Nov. 24 | Online
Can’t make it to an in-person hiring event? DAV and RecruitMilitary host a free national virtual career fair connecting veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses with military-friendly employers hiring across the country, including in Arizona.
December 2026
Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration & Celebration
Saturday, Dec. 5 | Wreath placement at 10:55 a.m. | Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza, 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix
Hosted by Honoring America’s Veterans on behalf of the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, this ceremony at the state capitol honors the 85th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the 1,177 crew members lost aboard the USS Arizona. Wreaths are placed at 10:55 a.m., the moment the attack began, with keynote remarks by Capt. Bruce E. Kosaveach, USN (Ret.) and music by Musical Theatre of Anthem. Free; RSVP requested.
Wreaths Across America Day at Arizona’s Veterans Cemeteries
Saturday, Dec. 19 | Ceremonies typically begin at 10 a.m. local time; volunteers asked to arrive by 9:45 a.m.
Each December, volunteers across Arizona place sponsored wreaths on the graves of veterans and say each name aloud as part of National Wreaths Across America Day. Sponsor a wreath or sign up to volunteer at one of Arizona’s veterans cemeteries:
- National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona — 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix — Sponsor or volunteer
- Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery at Marana — 15950 N. Luckett Road, Marana — Sponsor or volunteer
- Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery at Camp Navajo — 14317 Veterans Drive, Bellemont — Sponsor or volunteer
- Southern Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery — 1300 S. Buffalo Soldier Trail, Sierra Vista — Find this location on WreathsAcrossAmerica.org
Honor Veterans Year-Round With Arizona’s Best Employers
Showing up for a parade or a wreath-laying is a meaningful way to say thank you. So is hiring, developing and supporting veterans every day of the year.
Many of the award-winning companies featured on BestCompaniesAZ have dedicated veteran hiring programs, military employee resource groups and community partnerships that support those who have served. Explore current openings and learn more about Arizona’s veteran-friendly employers at BestCompaniesAZ.com.
