Arlington is gearing up to honor military veterans with the third annual Texas Veterans Day Parade, set for Nov. 11 at 5:30 p.m. in the city's Entertainment District. The event kicks off with a Bell Helicopter flyover before rolling into a procession of military units, community groups and more.
The City of Arlington announced the lineup in a social media post, noting the parade will be in the Entertainment District at 5:30 p.m. and will begin with a Bell Helicopter flyover, showcasing military units, community groups and more, according to the City of Arlington
. As reported by
NBC DFW
, the parade will feature veterans, military units, organizations, marching bands and more, and is free and open to the public.
This year's theme is “Veterans – Ready Then, Ready Now – 250 Years,” with Lieutenant General John Campbell serving as grand marshal, the station reports. The parade marks the third year of the tradition, which began in 2024 — a detail the station's report also lays out alongside the rest of the schedule.
Veteran Services and Static Displays
Beyond the procession itself, organizers are setting up a free Veteran Services Area that will offer resources for veterans and their families on site from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., per the same account. Static military equipment displays are also planned for the day, giving attendees a chance to get an up-close look at hardware tied to the branches being honored.
The National Medal of Honor Museum notes that parade-related road closures are expected to affect the Entertainment District beginning around 2 p.m., well ahead of the parade's 5:30 p.m. start. Those planning to attend should build in extra time to navigate the area.
Drone Show Caps Off the Evening
Once the parade wraps, the night isn't over. A drone show is planned to follow immediately afterward, with the National Medal of Honor Museum listing its approximate start at 7 p.m. That timing lines up with how a previous parade schedule described the event, which The Shorthorn reported kicked off at 5 p.m. and ended with a live drone show starting at 7 p.m. — though that account did not specify which year's schedule it was describing.
Community organizations are also expected to take part. Tarrant County College's Southeast Campus is listed as having a float in the parade, according to Tarrant County College, with signage referencing the campus's Veterans Resource Center.
A Growing Annual Tradition
The parade has grown since its debut. The inaugural Texas Veterans Day Parade took place in Arlington's Entertainment District on Nov. 11, 2024, and was planned to feature live music, a helicopter flyover and a patriotic drone show near Globe Life Field, according to the Mansfield Record. By 2025, the event had expanded significantly — a report on that year's parade described the annual celebration as featuring around 90 floats and groups, with former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson serving as grand marshal, per The Shorthorn.
The Entertainment District, where the parade unfolds each year, sits in the heart of a city known for AT&T Stadium, home of the Rangers, Six Flags Over Texas and the University of Texas at Arlington. With the parade's third year approaching, organizers are once again asking the community to turn out for an evening built around honoring those who served.
