What To Know About D.C.’s Veterans Day Parade: Route, Road Closures, Timing & More

If you’re looking for things to do this weekend in D.C., the second annual National Veterans Day Parade is a great opportunity to honor and remember veterans who have served D.C. as well as the entire country.

This parade — not to be confused with the National Veterans Day Ceremony which happens at the Lincoln Memorial — was started last year by the National Veterans Parade Foundation with help from the Mayor’s Special Events Task Group. The inaugural event was the “first-time ever Veterans [we]re honored on a National level in our Nation’s Capital,” according to the foundation.

The parade includes various veterans organizations, floats, specialty vehicles and a marching band. Find out any other details you were wondering below:

What time is the Veterans Day parade in D.C.?

The National Veterans Day Parade will take place from 12 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 10. The opening ceremony begins at 11 a.m.

What is the route for the National Veterans Parade in D.C.?

The parade will take place on Constitution Ave, beginning at 7th Street and continuing through 17th Street in Washington, D.C. It goes from the National Archive to the White House.

What roads will be closed for the D.C. Veterans Day parade?

The D.C. Police have shared that there will be many road closures in addition to the actual streets along the route. They are detailed below.

Emergency No Parking for the parade assembly from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday:

• 4^th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• 6^th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 7^th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• 9^th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW
• Constitution Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue to 23^rd Street, NW
• North side of Independence Avenue from 4^th Street to 12^th Street, SW
• Madison Drive from 3^rd Street to 14^th Street, NW
• Jefferson Drive from 3^rd Street to 14^th Street, SW
• 12^th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Madison Drive, NW
• 14^th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• 15^th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Emergency No Parking for the parade disbanding area from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Virginia Avenue from Constitution Avenue to 23^rd Street, NW
• 18^th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 19^th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 20^th Street from E Street to Virginia Avenue, NW

Closed to vehicle traffic for public safety for the parade assembly from approximately 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• 4^th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• 6^th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 7^th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• 9^th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 10^th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW
• Constitution Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue to 15^th Street, NW
• Madison Drive from 3^rd Street to 14^th Street, NW
• Jefferson Drive from 3^rd Street to 14^th Street, SW
• 12^th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Madison Drive, NW
• 14^th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• SE/SW Freeway-Access to 12^th Street Tunnel from I-395 Exit ramps
• 12^th Street Tunnel Exit from Independence Avenue, SW

Closed for the parade itself from approximately 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.:

• 15^th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• Constitution Avenue from 15^th Street to 23^rd Street, NW
• Inbound I-395 (14^th Street Bridge). All traffic will be sent eastbound on I-395 SW Freeway
• Inbound I-395 (14^th Street Bridge – HOV). All traffic will be sent eastbound on I-395 SW Freeway
• 17^th Street from New York Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• 18^th Street from E Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 19^th Street from E Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
• Virginia Avenue, NW from 24^th Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW

Stay up-to-date in real-time changes or updates on the D.C. Police Twitter Account.

What is the biggest Veterans Day parade?

This title actually does not fall to D.C. although it is National — instead it goes to New York City’s annual Veterans Day Parade which consists of 20,000 people marching, 280 marching units, 25 floats and over 150 vehicles. Still, since it’s only the second year of the D.C. parade, perhaps this will change for the future!

If you need any other information on the parade, feel free to check the National Veterans Parade website.