Thousands of service members will march up Fifth Avenue when the 2026 New York City Veterans Day Parade steps off on November 11 at 12:30 p.m., beginning at Fifth Avenue and 26th Street and moving north to 50th Street. The parade is set to draw more than 30,000 participants in all, making it the largest Veterans Day event in the United States by turnout.
That is why people are looking for the Veterans Day Parade 2026 now: the start time, route and the name attached to the event are all fixed, and this year’s grand marshal is Sunita “Suni” Williams, a retired Navy captain who flew aboard several space missions. Mark Otto said the parade is proud to welcome her on the 250th birthday of the United States of America, calling her service an example of the values honored each Veterans Day.
Vicki Bello will serve as honorary marshal, bringing a personal Navy history that runs through the event itself. Bello enlisted in the United States Navy in 1985, served on active duty as a Radioman at Adak in Alaska and Ford Island in Hawaii, and then spent two more years in the Naval Reserve at Fort Schuyler in the Bronx after completing active-duty service in 1989. She said she was honored to march alongside the men and women who served the country and to celebrate their service, sacrifice and contributions to their communities.
The parade is produced each year by the United War Veterans Council and includes participants from every service branch of the military, along with veterans, service organizations, youth cadets, marching bands, floats, motorcycles and vintage vehicles. ABC 7 New York will broadcast the Veterans Day Parade NYC on Channel 7 and wherever viewers stream ABC 7 New York starting at 12:30 p.m. on November 11, and the annual Wreath-Laying Ceremony will take place first, at 10:55 a.m. in Madison Square Park. Wreaths will be presented by veteran representatives, public officials, foreign allies and senior military leaders.
There is one detail that does not quite sit still: the parade is described as Tuesday’s event even though this year’s step-off is set for November 11, and that is the date readers should follow. After the ceremony in Madison Square Park, the route to 50th Street is the day’s main public moment, and the only unanswered question left is how many people will watch it in person.
