Orange County Schedules Dozens of Veteran Ceremonies
Events across 20 municipalities include parades, flag displays, and keynote addresses by retired military officers.
By Nadia Singh ·
Orange County communities have finalized schedules for Veterans Day 2026 observances, with most ceremonies set for Nov. 11. However, several cities have moved their main events to the preceding weekend to accommodate larger crowds or specific memorial unveilings. The events span from formal military salutes to community gatherings featuring food and music.
Fullerton marks the return of its annual Veterans Day parade this year. The procession starts at 10 a.m. at Harbor Boulevard and Berkeley Avenue. Participants will march north to Hillcrest Park for a remembrance ceremony on the great lawn. Retired Col. Chris Schaefer will deliver the keynote address. Veterans wishing to march must arrive between 8 and 9 a.m. at Berkeley Avenue.
Anaheim holds its ceremony at 11 a.m. at the veterans monument on S. Anaheim Blvd. Retired Army Lt. Col. Barbara Gerovac is scheduled to give the keynote. In Anaheim Hills, the Rotary Club hosts the Flags of Honor Field at Eucalyptus Park from Nov. 9 through Nov. 12. A special remembrance ceremony takes place at 5 p.m. on Nov. 11, featuring 200 luminarias placed after the event.
Lake Forest hosts its 37th annual observance at El Toro Memorial Park at 11 a.m. Mark Furlan, a Vietnam veteran and former Army Chaplain, serves as the keynote speaker. The event includes an honor guard firing salute and wreath laying. Mission Viejo holds its ceremony indoors at 8:30 a.m. at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center. Col. B.P. Lambert, the new commanding officer of the city’s adopted Headquarters Battalion, will speak.
Several cities hold events before the official holiday. Tustin hosts a celebration and car show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 7 at Veterans Sports Park. La Palma requires an RSVP for its Nov. 7 ceremony at the Community Center. San Clemente salutes veterans at noon on Nov. 7 at the Marine Monument in Park Semper Fi. Lt. Col. Evan Z. Ota and retired Lt. Col. John Black are the guest speakers.
Yorba Linda’s ceremony begins at 2 p.m. at Veterans Park. Resident and author Cindy Scott will discuss her family’s military history, including her mother’s time as a World War II POW. The Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum in Yorba Linda holds a wreath-laying at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 11. Col. Daniel Whitley and Lisa Fox will give remarks at the unveiling of a plaque from the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Other scheduled events include a noon ceremony at Costa Mesa’s Heroes Hall Museum on Nov. 14. This event features a flyover and participation from veterans’ service organizations. Huntington Beach and Seal Beach both hold 11 a.m. ceremonies on Nov. 11. Laguna Beach begins musical performances at 10:30 a.m. at Heisler Park, followed by the main ceremony at 10:45 a.m.
Stanton requires reservations for its 9 a.m. ceremony at the Community Services Department’s Banquet Hall. The event includes breakfast and a color guard. San Juan Capistrano’s American Legion Post 721 unveils a new Veterans Memorial Wall and commemorative pavers at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11.
