Veterans Day Events, Freebies and Deals for Wichita

Veterans and active-duty members of the U.S. military are worthy of our respect and gratitude every day (see Military Discounts in Wichita), but on Veterans Day we can do one better and take them out for a free meal, attend an event that honors them, visit one of the Wichita attractions that offer free admission on Veterans Day, or share this list of discounts to save them a few bucks.

In 2021, we anticipate Veterans Day events in Wichita and free meals, free and discounted services, etc. will return. (yay!) We still have to wait for the info to come in, but we will share what we know and update this post when we know more…

We are thankful for your service!

Here is a list of Veterans Day freebies and deals available in the Wichita area, and more will be added through the week. (Please be prepared to show proof of service if requested.)

Do note the date and times the offers are available; some are before or after Veterans Day, some are for breakfast or lunch only, etc.

Although I’ve confirmed these deals nationally, participation may vary at each location. Call ahead if you have any doubt. And thank you for your service!

Jump to: Events * Free Food *  Miscellaneous

Keep checking back, because I’ll be updating this list frequently as new deals come in…

Veterans Day Events in Wichita

Thankfully, we do have some Veterans Day events in Wichita this year.

The Veterans Day parade will be held in downtown Wichita on November 6, 2021. It will begin at 11 a.m. sharp in front of the Sedgwick County Courthouse. 

Veterans Day Attractions Discounts

Cosmosphere, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, November 11, 2021 veterans are invited to their choice of a documentary film in the Carey Digital Dome Theater or a trip through the Hall of Space Museum free of charge. You must mention you’re a veteran at the box office to receive the offer.

Sedgwick County Zoo All military personnel, both active duty and veterans, along with their immediate families, can get complimentary zoo admission to Sedgwick County Zoo on November 11. To receive free admission, show military or veteran ID, discharge papers, or other official identification. Families of deployed military personnel must show an active-duty ID. No need to reserve tickets in advance; just go to the admission window. Note that zoo entry ends at 3:30 p.m.

Wichita Veterans Day Restaurant Deals

Some things to keep in mind as you go through this list of special Veterans Day meals and other deals:

• Most of these specials apply to active duty or veteran military personnel only on Veterans Day and won’t apply to spouses.
• Several of these restaurants offer an ongoing military discount to active duty personnel, veterans and their spouses so you can extend the savings on other days.
• Nearly all special deals require some sort of proof of service; generally, a valid military ID is that proof.
• Most restaurants on the list are national chains, so some specials or even menu options may vary with specific or individual locations. Be sure to confirm any special with the location you plan to visit.
• Some places are collecting donations for select organizations that serve military personnel, vets and/or family members. The donations can be provided by any guest.

Dairy Queen on North Rock Rd. and on East Central Ave. will be giving away free medium Blizzards for veterans this year. 

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, named after World War II veteran Freddy Simon, will once again give free combo meal cards to any veteran or active duty military personnel who visits a Freddy’s restaurant on Veterans Day. Freddy’s Veterans Day promo.

Starbucks will give veterans, active duty military, and military spouses a free tall (12 oz) brewed cup of coffee on Veterans Day, November 11. In addition, the coffee giant is donating 25 cents of all brewed coffee purchases that day to organizations that support veterans. Read more about Starbucks Veterans Day offer.

Texas Roadhouse will honor veterans and service members a bit differently this year. On Thursday, November 11, between 11am – 2pm, the restaurants will distribute meal vouchers in the parking lot, valid through May 30, 2022. Vouchers can be redeemed for one of 10 entrees including a 6-ounce sirloin and two made-from-scratch sides plus a choice of any Coca-Cola product, sweet tea/iced tea or coffee. The event is drive-thru only, but vouchers can be redeemed when the restaurant(s) open(s) for dinner.

Services, Miscellaneous, and Retail Deals for Veterans Day

Great Clips annual Veterans Day deal is back! On November 11, veterans and active military members can visit a U.S. Great Clips salon and receive either a free haircut that day or a free haircut card to use at a later date. Non-military customers can purchase a service at a U.S. Great Clips salon and get a free haircut card to give to a military service member they know.

Previous Deals

Wichita Veterans Day Parade Saturday, November 9 at 11 a.m., followed by food trucks, family activities and more fun in WaterWalk Plaza until 2 p.m. Starts at Central and Main and continues south past the WaterWalk complex.

JROTC Salute to Veterans is on Tuesday, November 7 at Century II. It begins at 10 a.m.

Frank Lloyd Wright Allen House Veterans Appreciation Tours run November 6-9. Free for veterans, law enforcement, fire, EMS, and dispatch with valid ID upon check-in. (See the link for more information.)

Kansas Oil Museum will open its WWI exhibit on Friday, November 8 at 6:3o p.m. Admission for that is $5. On Saturday, November 9th, the WWII Reenacting Corps will hold its annual Public Battle reenactment. Admission for the reenactment is a suggested donation of $2 per adult. 

Kansas Aviation Museum Veterans & Military Specials KAM will have free admission for veterans and active military and a membership discount for them as well the week of November 10-16, 2019. 

Wichita State University Veterans Day Deals Veterans and military get free cosmic bowling and a discount on select Shocker-themed merchandise on Sunday, November 10.

CANCELED Veterans Day Memorial Program The Program for Veterans Day at Veterans Memorial Park of Wichita has been canceled because of frigid temperatures. will be conducted on Monday, November 11th at 11:00 am. The program will consist of two speakers which will cover the end of WWI which occurred 101 years ago on Nov 11th and the Tet Offensive in Viet Nam which occurred 51 years ago on Nov 11th. The program will last for 30 to 45 minutes and will be followed by several Wreath layings and a walking tour of the park.

Goddard Public Library Free coffee and donuts for veterans, active duty, and their families on Monday, November 11 at 201 N. Main Street in Goddard from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Andy’s Frozen Custard Both east and west Wichita Andy’s locations invite all veterans and active military to enjoy a FREE regular one-topping sundae on Monday, November 11, 2019. Must present valid ID when ordering. One free item per veteran. Offer valid 11/11/19 only. Topping exclusions apply, see store for details. ?

Applebee’s is serving free meals to veterans and active duty military on Veterans Day to honor them for their courage and sacrifice. This is a dine-in deal only with proof of service required. Menu varies by location, and there are more than a handful of stores in the Wichita and surrounding area.

BJ’s Restaurant and Brew House is offering current and former members of the military a free entree up to a $14.95 value and a free Dr Pepper beverage on Veterans Day. You must show a military ID or other proof of service. It’s dine-in only; tax and gratuity are not included. The Wichita store is near Towne East Square. 

Bonefish Grill is offering its popular Bang-Bang Shrimp appetizer for free with the purchase of an entree with a valid military ID for active duty military and veterans on Monday, Nov. 11. The Wichita store is at 10250 E. 13th St. (Source: press release)

Carrabba’s Italian Grill will give active duty military and veterans a free appetizer with the purchase of an entree on Veterans Day. The Wichita store is at 3409 N. Rock Road. (Source: press release)

Chili’s is giving veterans and active military personnel a complimentary entree on Monday, Nov. 11, as a salute to their service. It’s a dine-in deal only from a limited menu (signature Chicken Crispers, Margarita Grilled Chicken, Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas, Just Bacon Burger, Oldtimer with Cheese, Cajun Chicken Pasta, or a bowl of chili, soup or salad); beverages and tip are not included. There are three Chili’s stores in Wichita: 7887 E. Central, 2333 N. Greenwich Road an 10520 W. Central. Proof of service (like a military ID) required.

Cici’s Pizza has a coupon good for a FREE unlimited buffet with valid active-duty or retired military I.D. on Monday, November 11, 2019. The offer is good for dine-in only and does not include a drink. 

Cracker Barrel will thank those who have served our nation with a Veterans Day (Monday, Nov. 11) special: a choice of a free slice of its Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola® Cake or a free Pumpkin Pie Latte at all 660 Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations nationwide. There are two Cracker Barrel stores in the Wichita area: 619 S. Ridge Road in Wichita and 995 E. 61^st St. N. in Park City. Also through Veterans Day, Cracker Barrel will offer $25 off all U.S. military branch-themed rocking chairs and 25 percent off all other military licensed products in its retail stores and online, including clothing, home furnishings and drinkware. 

Denny’s is offering a free Build-Your-Own Grand Slam breakfast for all U.S. Veterans on 11/11/19 from 5 a.m. to noon. The Denny’s Veterans Day deal is available for active, non-active or retired military personnel with a valid military ID or DD214. (Dine-in only.)

Dunkin is once again celebrating Veterans Day with a sweet salute in the form of a FREE donut for for veterans and active military on Monday, November 11. No purchase is necessary, and the honorees get to choose the donut they want! In addition to a free donut of their choice, the first 50 veterans and active military at participating Dunkin’ restaurants on November 11 will also receive a thank you card written by members the nonprofit A Million Thanks. 

Famous Dave’s is saluting active duty and veteran military with a two-meat lunch combo (comes with one side and a cornbread muffin) on Veterans Day. It’s a dine-in deal, and some locations may not include ribs as part of this deal. You’ll need to provide verification of service. The Wichita store is at 9719 E. 21^st St. 

Fazoli’s will serve a free spaghetti with meat or marinara entree for veterans and active military or a buy-one-get-one (BOGO) spaghetti with meat or marinara with an appetizer. (Source: press release)

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill in Wichita has a registration page here for a free lunch or dinner entrée for active military and veterans on Monday, November 11. All the information you need is on that page, and it looks like a nice deal.

Golden Corral is inviting all active duty and retired military personnel (including reservists and National Guard) to enjoy a free dinner buffet and beverage during Military Appreciation Night from 5-9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11. Guests can also contribute to a drive to support the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) from Nov. 4-11.

Little Caesar’s will give military active duty and veterans a free Hot-N-Ready lunch combo ($5 value) between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Veterans Day. You need to place the order in the store and have proof of service.

Logan’s Roadhouse is providing a free American Roadhouse meal for veterans and active military between 3-6 p.m. Nov. 11 at all its locations. Also, in a partnership project with Folds of Honor starting Nov. 11, Logan’s Roadhouse is asking patrons to round up to the nearest dollar of their restaurant bill. All of the proceeds from the roundup campaign will benefit Folds of Honor, which provides scholarships to children of America’s fallen and disabled servicemembers. There are two Logan’s Roadhouse stores in Wichita near Towne East Square and NewMarket Square. (Source: press release)

On the Border is offering a free create-your-own combo meal from a select menu on Monday, Nov. 11, for dine-in military customers who have a valid military ID. You get to choose two from this list and the meal comes with rice and beans: House Salad, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Seasoned Ground Beef with chile con carne enchilada, Spinach & Mushroom with sour cream sauce enchilada, Cheese & Onion with chile con carne sauce enchilada, Chicken Tinga with green chile or sour cream sauce enchilada, Seasoned Ground Beef taco, Chicken Tinga taco. Two Wichita locations at Bradley Fair and NewMarket Square. (Source: press release)

Red Robin is offering a free Tavern Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries to veterans and active duty personnel dining in its restaurant. Show proof of service to receive the complimentary meal. The Wichita restaurant is at 9990 E. 13th St.

Village Inn is another restaurant that offers both a meal deal on Veterans Day and an opportunity to support a military nonprofit. From now through Nov. 11, any customer at Village Inn restaurants can add $5 to their dine-in check that will go toward the Folded Flag Foundation, which provides scholarships to the family members of fallen or disabled American military. In exchange for the donation, the customer will receive a $5 voucher for a return visit. On Veterans Day, active duty and veteran military can get a free meal when dining in.

De’Ville’s Barber Shop and Shaving Parlor is holding a Free Haircut Day for veterans, active military, reservists, and National Guard from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Last year, the business is not open to the public that day, but was only open for the free haircuts.

Amazon is offering a Prime Membership at a discount (only $79). New and existing Prime members can apply (!) from November 6-11.  See offer details here (affiliate link). 

Walgreens provides military, veterans and their families a 20% discount on eligible regular-priced items between Nov. 8-11.

Braeburn Square Shocker Store Veterans will also receive 20% off one WSU-imprinted item from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, November 10. (Some restrictions apply.) The discount is for both veterans and active duty military with ID and only at the Braeburn Square location.

Sgt. C’s Leathers is advertising on its Facebook page that any veteran who shows proof of service will receive a free hat with purchase during its Veterans Appreciation Week (November 5-9, 2019). 

Free Oil Change/Car Services

Meineke Car Care Centers are offering free basic oil changes to military and veterans at participating locations on November 11. This is only at participating locations. Check to see if your nearest Meineke is participating by visiting its website, searching for a location near you, click More Information and scroll down to the bottom of the page. If yours is participating, you should see the coupon there. Here’s a tip: you may need to be on desktop to see the offer; when I viewed it on mobile I couldn’t see the coupon. 

Goodyear Auto Service and Just Tires locations nationwide are offering free car care checks and free tire installation to all active and retired members of the U.S. military. 

The special Veterans Day weekend free car care check includes an inspection of tires, brakes, alignment, battery, wiper blades, and shock and struts. You can also receive free tire installation with any tire purchase during the promotional period, a value of at least $25 per tire installed. Active and retired military service members with valid military ID can begin scheduling appointments Nov. 8 – 11 and redeem service through Nov. 16.