Houston’s Veterans Day parade returns Wednesday: Here’s the route, schedule and road closures

The City of Houston is preparing to honor military veterans Wednesday, Nov. 11, with its annual “Houston Salutes American Heroes” Veterans Day celebration, featuring a ceremony at City Hall followed by a parade through downtown.

The event is free and open to the public, with local veterans organizations, ROTC groups, marching bands and supporters expected to participate.

When and where is the Veterans Day parade?

The celebration begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday on the steps of Houston City Hall, where officials will recognize local veterans and hear a keynote address from Ambassador Chase Untermeyer, a professor of practice at the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs.

At 11 a.m., attendees will observe a moment of silence commemorating the armistice that ended fighting in World War I on Nov. 11, 1918.

Map of the parade route

Spectators are welcome to watch from anywhere along the parade route.

Which streets will be closed?

Drivers traveling through downtown Houston should expect several street closures associated with the celebration.

Tuesday, Nov. 10 through Wednesday, Nov. 11

• Beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday and continuing through 5 p.m. Wednesday, curb lanes will be closed along the 400-500 blocks of McKinney and Walker streets for event preparations.

Wednesday, Nov. 11

• 9 a.m.: Allen Parkway will close in both directions between Taft and Bagby streets. The north bike land along Lamar near Sam Houston Park will also close.
• 9:45 a.m.: Bagby Street will close between Clay and McKinney streets, along with southbound Bagby at Walker Street. The McKinny off-ramp will remain open, with traffic directed north onto Bagby.

Additional traffic disruptions are expected along the parade route beginning at 11:30 a.m.

For more information about the celebration, visit the City of Houston’s Veterans Day event page.