Here’s Why the Baltimore Veterans Day Parade Draws Bigger Crowds Every Year
Every November, Baltimore pauses to honor the men and women who served in the U.S. military. The Baltimore Veterans Day parade gives the city a public way to say thank you, and more people appear to join in as the event gathers momentum after its return from the pandemic. Whether you are a veteran, a family member, or a neighbor who wants to show support, the event welcomes you. This guide explains what draws people downtown and covers the practical basics for planning your visit.
What Draws People to the Baltimore City Veterans Day Parade
The Baltimore City Veterans Day parade fills Charles Street with veterans, marching bands, honor guards, ROTC cadets, and members of the Maryland National Guard. Organizers reported more than 60 participating units in 2024, including veteran-focused organizations, military fraternities and sororities, and military equipment.
The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club and Jewish War Veterans of the USA Post 167 joined the 2023 march. Community involvement runs deep: thirteen Baltimore City public schools joined that year’s celebration, and in 2025 the Baltimore Ravens band performed alongside high school bands. Each of these groups gives the event a personal feel, because people recognize their own schools, neighbors, and family members among the marchers.
Civic leaders also march with the crowd. Mayor Brandon Scott has walked the route, and Governor Wes Moore, himself a veteran, walked it in 2023. Each year’s grand marshal brings a distinguished military record, including Maj. Gen. Janeen Birckhead in 2023 and Gen. (Ret.) Larry R. Ellis in 2025.
The ceremony matters as much as the march. The parade ends at War Memorial Plaza with a wreath-laying that honors fallen service members, and a separate wreath-laying at the Black Soldiers Memorial has followed in recent years.
Why the Parade Keeps Gaining Momentum
Several simple factors help explain why the parade resonates with so many residents. First, the parade returned in 2022 after a pandemic pause that began after the 2019 event, and residents welcomed it back. Second, the event is free and runs rain or shine. In 2023, marchers and spectators stayed through steady rain.
When Is the Baltimore Veterans Day Parade?
Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. The city has scheduled its parade around the holiday in recent years: Friday, November 10, 2023; Saturday, November 9, 2024; and Saturday, November 8, 2025.
The 2026 date and start time had not been confirmed at the time of writing. Check the Baltimore Mayor’s Office and the Baltimore City Department of Transportation for official announcements before you travel.
For reference, the parade stepped off around noon at the Washington Monument, at Charles and Centre Streets, in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Street closures began around 9 a.m. in 2025, and the Department of Transportation announced those closures the morning before the event.
Where the Parade Route Runs
The 2025 route ran about one mile. Marchers traveled south on Charles Street, turned left on Baltimore Street, turned left again on Gay Street, and disbanded along East Lexington Street at War Memorial Plaza. Event listings for that parade noted free parking at the Lexington Street garage, 510 E. Lexington St.
The Charm City Circulator’s Purple and Green routes ran with detours during the 2025 parade. Confirm the 2026 route, closures, and transit changes once the city publishes them, because routes can change from year to year. In past years, local broadcasters advised attendees to arrive early and use public parking facilities in the surrounding area.
Where to Stay for the Veterans Day Parade in Baltimore City
If you plan to attend the Veterans Day parade in Baltimore, The Hotel at Arundel Preserve offers a comfortable base. The hotel sits at 7795 Arundel Mills Boulevard in Hanover, about 30 miles from the Washington Monument by car, and roughly a mile from the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, which leads toward the city. The best option, however, is to take the Amtrak or MARC Train, given road closures and traffic. Plan your departure with extra time, since downtown streets close hours before the parade begins.
After a long day on the sidewalk, guests can return to an indoor pool, an on-site restaurant, and free on-site parking. Arundel Mills shopping also sits less than half a mile away, which gives travelers easy options for dinner or errands.
Book your stay at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve today, and rest well before you honor those who served.
