The San Diego Veterans Day Parade steps off at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in front of the County Administration Building on Harbor Drive, commemorating the 35th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm. The parade runs about 90 minutes, and street closures along Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway begin as early as 7:45 a.m.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 San Diego Veterans Day Parade commemorates the 35th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm, which began on January 16, 1991.
- Harbor Drive from Grape Street to Ash Street closes at 7:45 a.m. on November 11, ahead of the 10 a.m. start.
- MTS buses and Trolleys run on a regular weekday schedule on Veterans Day, with the Green Line’s County Center/Little Italy Station near the parade route.
- The parade has marched along San Diego Bay since 1987.
- Miramar National Cemetery holds a free Veterans Day Ceremony at 4 p.m. the same day.
A Desert Storm Anniversary Sets the 2026 Theme
The San Diego Veterans Day Parade has a theme this year with deep roots in the region’s military community. According to the USS Midway Museum, the 2026 parade commemorates the 35th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm, the offensive against Iraq that began on January 16, 1991.
For Gulf War veterans along the route, the anniversary places their service at the center of a parade that has honored veterans of every era since 1987. Many of those veterans now call San Diego County home. County demographic profiles record more than 200,000 veterans living in the county, which gives the parade a local audience as much as a ceremonial one.
What to Expect Along Harbor Drive
The San Diego Veterans Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. in front of the County Administration Building on Harbor Drive downtown and is expected to last about an hour and a half. The waterfront route fills with marching bands, historic military units, vintage vehicles and patriotic performers honoring those who served.
Spectators can watch from the sidewalks along Harbor Drive with San Diego Bay as the backdrop. Arriving before the closures take full effect gives families time to find a spot without walking in from far outside the closure zone.
Street Closures Begin Before 8 a.m.
Drivers heading downtown on Wednesday morning should plan around closures that begin more than two hours before the parade. According to the USS Midway Museum, streets close on this schedule:
- Harbor Drive from Grape Street to Ash Street: 7:45 a.m.
- Pacific Highway, one southbound lane from Grape Street to Ash Street: 8 a.m.
- Pacific Highway from Harbor Drive to Broadway: 8 a.m.
- Harbor Drive from Ash Street to Pacific Highway: 8:30 a.m.
Expect detours across the western edge of downtown and Little Italy through the late morning, and allow extra time for any trip that normally uses Harbor Drive or Pacific Highway.
Taking the Trolley to the Parade
Transit is the simpler option on parade morning. San Diego Metropolitan Transit System buses and Trolleys run on a regular weekday schedule on Veterans Day. The Green Line Trolley’s County Center/Little Italy Station sits near the County Administration Building at the start of the route, and several downtown bus lines also serve the area.
Watching From Home
For those who can’t make it to the waterfront, the San Diego Veterans Day Parade will be streamed live by local television beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. The livestream lets older veterans, military families stationed elsewhere and anyone working through the holiday follow the Desert Storm tribute in real time.
Planning the Rest of Veterans Day in San Diego
Because Veterans Day is a federal holiday, the parade falls on a day when many offices are closed. Readers sorting out their schedules can review what Veterans Day as a federal holiday means for workers and offices before heading downtown.
Miramar National Cemetery Ceremony at 4 p.m.
The day’s observances continue in the afternoon. Miramar National Cemetery holds its Veterans Day Ceremony at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11, at 5795 Nobel Drive. The ceremony is free and open to the public, offering a quieter place to reflect after the morning parade. Organizers have said more program details are to come.
The San Diego Veterans Day Parade honors those who served in uniform, and the region’s connection to the military runs well past one morning on Harbor Drive. Service takes many forms across the state, including California’s service corps, which has passed 50,000 participants since 2019.
FAQs
What time does the San Diego Veterans Day Parade start?
The parade starts at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in front of the County Administration Building on Harbor Drive. It is expected to last about an hour and a half.
What streets are closed for the San Diego Veterans Day Parade?
Harbor Drive from Grape Street to Ash Street closes at 7:45 a.m. Parts of Pacific Highway close at 8 a.m., and Harbor Drive from Ash Street to Pacific Highway closes at 8:30 a.m.
Is the trolley running on Veterans Day in San Diego?
Yes. MTS buses and Trolleys run on a regular weekday schedule on November 11. The Green Line’s County Center/Little Italy Station is near the parade route.
What is the theme of the 2026 San Diego Veterans Day Parade?
The 2026 parade commemorates the 35th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm, which began on January 16, 1991.
