Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11. A free World War II home front play at Evergreen Cemetery, flag placing Nov. 7, and city offices and schools closed.

Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. The City of Gainesville marks it with a free World War II home front event at Evergreen Cemetery that morning, after volunteers place flags on veterans’ graves there on Saturday, Nov. 7. Alachua County has not yet announced its 2026 Veterans Day celebration at Veterans Memorial Park; this page will be updated when it does.

Last checked Oct. 14, 2026. Facts come from the City of Gainesville, Alachua County, Alachua County Public Schools and the event listings linked below. This page is updated each year at the same address.

Know before you go

  • Veterans Day: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026
  • Flag placement: 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, Historic Evergreen Cemetery
  • Home front event: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, Evergreen Cemetery, free
  • Closed Nov. 11: City of Gainesville offices and Alachua County public schools
  • Alachua County Veteran Services: 352-264-6740 or alachuacountyvet@alachuacounty.us

Is there a Veterans Day ceremony this year?

The county celebration: 2026 details not yet posted. Alachua County Veteran Services hosts the area’s largest Veterans Day event at Veterans Memorial Park, 7400 SW 41st Place. In 2025 it ran from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 11, with music and family activities from 9:30 a.m. and a formal program at 11 a.m., according to the county’s 2025 announcement. It was free. The county ran it with the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, the Alachua County Veterans Memorial Committee and local veteran and nonprofit groups. Last year’s program included:

  • the dedication of a new Veterans Memorial flagpole
  • first responder aircraft displays and a skydiving performance
  • live bands and drill team demonstrations
  • military and historical displays and guest speakers
  • veteran resources from the VA, and an appearance by UF mascots Albert and Alberta

The county had not posted a 2026 date when we checked on Oct. 14. For updates, contact Veteran Services at 352-264-6740.

City of Gainesville events

World War II America: War on the Home Front, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Evergreen Cemetery, 401 SE 21st Ave. Free. The city’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs department and the Star Center Theatre stage a play telling “Molly’s story” of life at home during World War II, part of the city’s “Plays in the Park: The American Story” series. The morning also has a patriotic brass quintet, a 1940s swing dance lesson and painting, according to the city.

Veterans Day flag placement, 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Historic Evergreen Cemetery, 401 SE 21st Ave. Volunteers of all ages place American flags at veterans’ graves. Volunteers check in on arrival, follow the posted parking signs, and staff assign each team a section, according to the listing on the Visit Gainesville calendar.

Talks and history

“The ‘Nam AC-48: Remembering Alachua County’s Vietnam War Veterans,” 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Matheson History Museum, 513 E. University Ave. Andy Adkins, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, talks about his book. Matheson History Museum event page.

What is open and closed on Nov. 11

  • City of Gainesville offices: closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, on the city’s 2026 holiday list.
  • Schools: Alachua County Public Schools are closed. The district’s 2026-27 calendar lists Nov. 11 as a Veterans Day holiday.
  • Trash and recycling: city offices close, but the city has not moved curbside pickup for Veterans Day in recent years. In 2025 it said garbage, recycling and yard trash collection was not affected. The 2026 schedule is on our trash and recycling page.
  • Post offices: Veterans Day is a federal holiday, so post offices close and there is no regular mail delivery.

Getting there

Evergreen Cemetery is on SE 21st Avenue in southeast Gainesville; follow the posted parking signs on Nov. 7. For the Matheson History Museum downtown, the city lists garages, lots and rates on its downtown parking page, and our getting around page covers buses and parking. Road work that could slow your trip is on our road construction and closures page.

What this means for you

  • Want to take part? Bring the family to place flags at Evergreen Cemetery on Saturday, Nov. 7.
  • Kids are out of school Wednesday, Nov. 11; the city’s home front event that morning is free.
  • Waiting on the county ceremony? Last year’s started at 9 a.m. on Nov. 11; check back here or call Veteran Services at 352-264-6740.
  • Running a Veterans Day event in Gainesville? Email hello@gainesvillejournal.com and we will add it.

Related: things to do this month, Thanksgiving in Gainesville and Memorial Day in Gainesville.

Frequently asked questions

When is Veterans Day 2026?

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. It is a federal holiday.

Is there a Veterans Day ceremony in Gainesville in 2026?

Alachua County had not posted its 2026 celebration as of Oct. 14. In 2025 the county held a free celebration from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 11 at Veterans Memorial Park, 7400 SW 41st Place, with the formal program at 11 a.m. The City of Gainesville’s free World War II home front event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 11 at Evergreen Cemetery.

Are schools closed on Veterans Day in Alachua County?

Yes. Alachua County Public Schools’ 2026-27 calendar lists Wednesday, Nov. 11, as a Veterans Day holiday.

Is trash pickup delayed in Gainesville on Veterans Day?

City offices close Nov. 11, but the city has not changed curbside collection for Veterans Day in recent years. In 2025 it said garbage, recycling and yard trash pickup was not affected. Our trash and recycling page carries the 2026 holiday schedule.

How can I help place flags on veterans’ graves?

Volunteers of all ages are invited to place American flags at veterans’ graves at Historic Evergreen Cemetery, 401 SE 21st Ave., from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. Check in on arrival, and staff assign each team a section.