Honoring Those Who Served
Veterans Day 2026 in Santa Clarita: Ceremony, Ways to Honor & Local Resources
Every November 11 at 11 AM, the Santa Clarita Valley gathers at Veterans Historical Plaza in Old Town Newhall for the city's Veterans Day Ceremony. As a U.S. Army veteran and a 22-year SCV resident, this is the most important day of the year for me. Here is everything you need to know for 2026, plus ways to honor our veterans all month long.
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 Sam Silver 6 min read
The annual Veterans Day Ceremony takes place Wednesday, November 11, 2026, from 11:00 AM to noon at Veterans Historical Plaza, 24275 N. Walnut Street in Old Town Newhall. The City of Santa Clarita and American Legion Post 507 co-host the free, public observance with local veterans' organizations, and it remains the valley's central Veterans Day tradition. Santa Clarita does not hold a Veterans Day parade; this one-hour ceremony at the plaza is where the community comes together, on the exact spot where so many of our local heroes are remembered. Arrive by 10:45 AM for seating.
Date & Time
Nov 11, 2026, 11 AM - noon
Location
Veterans Historical Plaza, 24275 N. Walnut St, Newhall
Cost & Access
Free and open to all
What to Expect at the Veterans Day Ceremony
The roughly one-hour program honors veterans, currently serving military members, and their families. Here is the lineup as it has run in recent years.
Colors, Pledge & the National Anthem
The ceremony opens with the presentation of the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance, led in recent years by a Santa Clarita Valley Young Marine. Area veterans' organizations, JROTC units, and community groups fill the plaza, and the crowd joins together for the National Anthem as the flags go up over the historic site.
Patriotic Music from Hart High School
The Hart High School Show Choir A Cappella Group has become a beloved fixture of the program, delivering patriotic selections that bring the plaza crowd together. It is a small touch that speaks to how deeply this community weaves its schools into its civic life.
Remarks from Elected Officials
Santa Clarita City Council members speak each year, joined in recent years by the region's congressional representative. The remarks keep the focus where it belongs: on the men and women who served, the families who supported them, and the community's ongoing commitment to those who come home.
POW/MIA Remembrance
A solemn POW/MIA remembrance reading honors those still missing and unaccounted for, a moment of silence that settles over the whole plaza. It is the emotional center of the ceremony, and the reason so many of us come back year after year.
Changing of the Flags
The formal changing of the flags is performed by the Knights of Columbus Santa Clarita Assembly with the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 355, a precise, moving ritual that honors the nation's colors and the sacrifices behind them. Veterans and active-duty service members are often invited to stand and be recognized as the flags are presented.
Veteran Resources On Site
Local veterans' service organizations set up on the plaza before and after the ceremony, making this a one-stop chance to learn about benefits, healthcare, housing help, and community support in person. If you or a family member have questions about veteran resources, this is a great day to ask them face to face.
From Your Local Insider
Why This Day Matters to Me
I served in the U.S. Army, and after 22 years as a REALTOR in the Santa Clarita Valley, I can tell you that Veterans Day here is personal. Santa Clarita has one of the most patriotic communities I have ever lived in: RED Fridays, flag-lined streets in the neighborhoods, and a turnout at the plaza that humbles you every single year.
I make a point to be at Veterans Historical Plaza every November 11, and I invite you to join me. Bring the kids. It is one of those civic moments that explains what makes the SCV special, and it teaches the next generation what service before self actually means.
Ways to Honor Veterans in SCV
The ceremony on November 11 is the anchor, but there are simple, meaningful ways to show appreciation all month.
Attend the Plaza Ceremony
Show up at 10:45 AM on November 11 at Veterans Historical Plaza, 24275 N. Walnut Street. No tickets, no RSVP, just presence. Seating is limited so arrive early, and bring a chair if you want a guaranteed spot.
Thank a Veteran Personally
A simple, specific thank you goes a long way. If you know a veteran, ask about their service on the 11th. Many veterans do not share unprompted, but they remember the people who took the time to ask.
Support Veteran-Owned Businesses
Many of the valley's best restaurants, shops, and service businesses are veteran-owned. Ask when you are out and about, then make a point to return. Supporting their work supports their transition and their families.
Support Veteran Homeownership
From California's disabled veteran property tax exemption to VA loans and hero homebuyer programs, there are powerful ways veterans can build wealth through homeownership. Share our veterans homeownership guides with the veterans in your life.
Donate or Volunteer
Veteran service organizations in the valley are always looking for volunteers and donations, especially around the holidays. Our veterans resource hub lists vetted local organizations by category.
Fly the Flag with Care
Veterans Day is a flag holiday. If you fly one at home, make sure it is in good condition and properly lit, and consider adding a small POW/MIA flag beneath it. It is a small act that carries real weight in this community.
Local Veteran Resources & Guides
The ceremony plaza hosts veteran resource organizations in person, and SCV Life keeps a running library of vetted local and state resources. Start here.
SCV Veterans Resource Hub
The complete guide to Santa Clarita Valley veteran organizations, support services, and community heroes. Start here for anything you need.
Open the HubZero Property Tax for Veterans
California veterans with certain service-connected disabilities can qualify for a full or partial property tax exemption. Explained plainly.
Read the GuideHero Homebuyer Programs
A hero's guide to building wealth through homeownership in Santa Clarita, from down payment assistance to VA loan advantages.
Read the GuideTDIU Explained
What veterans need to know about total disability based on individual unemployability and the path to 100% compensation.
Read the GuideA Veteran Finds Home in Canyon Country
The story of a local veteran's journey to forever-home status in Canyon Country, told by the agent who worked alongside him.
Read the StoryRED Friday: Remember Everyone Deployed
Why Sam and Equity Union wear red every Friday, and how a simple weekly act keeps deployed service members in our minds.
Read the StoryGetting to Veterans Historical Plaza
Address & Parking
The plaza sits at 24275 N. Walnut Street in Old Town Newhall, adjacent to the historic Newhall Library. Street parking around the plaza fills fast on the 11th. The best overflow option is the Civic Center parking structure and the public lots along Market Street and 6th Street, a short, level walk away.
Timing & Comfort
Arrive by 10:45 AM for seating. November mornings in Newhall are cool, so dress in layers and bring a chair if you want a guaranteed seat. The ceremony runs about an hour, ending by noon, which leaves the afternoon free to explore Old Town.
Details above follow the ceremony as produced in recent years. Confirm the final 2026 program on the Santa Clarita Veterans website or the City Community Calendar as November 11 approaches.
Serving the People Who Serve
As a U.S. Army veteran and a REALTOR who has specialized in working with veterans, seniors, and special-needs families for 22 years, Sam understands the veteran homebuying journey firsthand. Whether you are using a VA loan, exploring the disabled veteran exemption, or just have questions, he is one call away.
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