Jacksonville's Veterans Day Parade steps off at 11:01 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, on Water Street and runs 1.32 miles down Bay Street. Free.

Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Facts come from the organizer, the City of Jacksonville Office of Sports and Entertainment, and its Veterans Day Parade page. This page is updated for each year’s parade at the same address.

Jacksonville’s Veterans Day Parade steps off at 11:01 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, on Water Street downtown, and it is free. The city says the parade has more than 2,500 participants each year and calls it the largest Veterans Day observance in Florida. Expect grand marshals, senior military leaders, active-duty and retired military units, veteran groups, Junior ROTC detachments, high school marching bands and floats. Parade participant applications closed Sept. 15.

Know before you go

  • When: 11:01 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026 (Veterans Day)
  • Where: Water Street at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts, then Bay Street to VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
  • Cost: free, no tickets
  • Best viewing: Bay Street between Hogan Street and A. Philip Randolph Boulevard; Ford on Bay is a popular central spot
  • Roads: some streets close at 7 a.m., more at 10 a.m.
  • Organizer: City of Jacksonville Office of Sports and Entertainment, events@coj.net, events.jacksonville.gov

When and where

The parade is held every year on Veterans Day itself, Nov. 11, with the step-off at 11:01 a.m. In 2026 that falls on a Wednesday, so this is a weekday parade: plan around work and school traffic downtown.

The route

From the city’s parade page, the 1.32-mile route:

  1. Starts on Water Street in front of the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts and heads east to Hogan Street.
  2. Turns left onto Hogan Street, then right onto Bay Street, and continues east.
  3. After passing Lot S, moves into the westbound lane of Bay Street.
  4. Turns left onto A. Philip Randolph Boulevard and ends at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.

Where to watch

The city encourages spectators to gather along Bay Street between Hogan Street and A. Philip Randolph Boulevard, and to wear red, white and blue and wave American flags. A popular central viewing spot is Ford on Bay, near the intersection of South Liberty Street and East Bay Street. All public viewing areas are first come, first served, so arrive early for a curbside spot.

Road closures

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office manages traffic at each intersection, with both full and rolling closures. The city says times can change for public safety, and asks drivers to allow extra time and use other routes. From the city’s closure list, last updated Aug. 25:

Full closures from 7 a.m.

  • Park Street from Stonewall Street to Bay Street
  • Lee Street from Bay Street to Water Street
  • Water Street from Park Street to Hogan Street

Full closures from 10 a.m.

  • Southbound Main Street from Bay Street to the Main Street Bridge
  • Northbound Main Street from Riverplace Boulevard to the Main Street Bridge
  • Riverside Avenue from the Acosta Bridge on-ramp to Water Street
  • The Acosta Bridge off-ramp to Water Street
  • Newnan Street from Forsyth Street to Independent Drive
  • Forsyth Street from the Liberty Street on-ramp to Gator Bowl Boulevard
  • Monroe Street from the Washington Street on-ramp to Gator Bowl Boulevard
  • Marsh Street and Lafayette Street at Bay Street
  • A. Philip Randolph Boulevard from Gator Bowl Boulevard to Ashley Street
  • Gator Bowl Boulevard from Georgia Street to A. Philip Randolph Boulevard

Rolling closures from 10 a.m. as the parade passes: Bay Street at Myrtle Avenue, Lee Street, Laura Street, Market Street and A. Philip Randolph Boulevard; Pearl Street at Water Street; Hogan Street at Independent Drive; Gator Bowl Boulevard at Commodore Street; Bryan Street at Duval Street; and A. Philip Randolph Boulevard at Ashley Street.

Parking

Street parking spaces and meters will be bagged Tuesday, Nov. 10, on:

  • Water Street between Park Street and Hogan Street
  • Hogan Street between Water Street and Bay Street
  • Bay Street between Hogan Street and A. Philip Randolph Boulevard
  • A. Philip Randolph Boulevard between Bay Street and Duval Street

Do not leave a car on those blocks overnight on Nov. 10. Use a downtown garage instead; see our Downtown Jacksonville guide for parking and getting around.

What to know

  • Weekday timing: the 11:01 a.m. start on a Wednesday overlaps the lunch hour downtown. Closures begin at 7 a.m. near the start, so morning commuters on Riverside Avenue, Water Street and the Acosta Bridge off-ramp should plan another way in.
  • Bridges: the Main Street Bridge approaches close at 10 a.m. from both directions.
  • More details: the city says more 2026 details will be posted on its parade page.
  • Same day, the fair: the Jacksonville Fair gives free gate admission to active-duty, retired and veteran military personnel on Nov. 11, according to the fair’s deal days page. See fall festivals.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Jacksonville Veterans Day Parade in 2026? The parade steps off at 11:01 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, from Water Street in front of the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts, according to the City of Jacksonville.

What is the Jacksonville Veterans Day Parade route? The 1.32-mile route runs east on Water Street to Hogan Street, north on Hogan to Bay Street, east on Bay Street and north on A. Philip Randolph Boulevard to VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.

Where is the best place to watch the Veterans Day Parade? The city says spectators can watch along Bay Street between Hogan Street and A. Philip Randolph Boulevard. A popular central spot is Ford on Bay, near Liberty Street and East Bay Street. Viewing is first come, first served.

Is the Jacksonville Veterans Day Parade free? Yes. The parade is free and open to the public. The city says it has more than 2,500 participants each year.

What roads close for the Veterans Day Parade? Water, Lee and Park streets near the start close at 7 a.m. Main Street to the Main Street Bridge, Riverside Avenue, Forsyth and Monroe streets, A. Philip Randolph Boulevard and Gator Bowl Boulevard close at 10 a.m., with rolling closures along Bay Street.

What this means for you

  • Watching: get to Bay Street before 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11; Ford on Bay is the central spot.
  • Driving downtown that morning: avoid Water Street, Riverside Avenue and the Main Street Bridge approaches, and check road closures.
  • Parked on Water, Hogan or Bay streets? Move the car before Tuesday, Nov. 10.

Related: things to do this month, Downtown Jacksonville and Christmas parade and tree lighting.