Quick Answer
Veterans Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, November 11, a federal holiday honoring everyone who has served in the U.S. armed forces. In the Richmond area, expect federal, state and most local government offices closed, no regular mail delivery, and the Commonwealth’s annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial, which has been a Richmond tradition for decades. Schools, trash pickup, and retail hours vary by locality and by business, so this guide walks through what’s confirmed for 2026 and what to double check closer to the date.
What’s Open and What’s Closed on Veterans Day 2026
Veterans Day is a fixed federal holiday (it always falls on November 11, regardless of the day of the week), which is different from floating holidays like Memorial Day or Labor Day. Because it lands on a Wednesday in 2026, there is no three-day weekend built in, which also means fewer businesses tend to close for the whole day compared with a holiday attached to a weekend. Here is a general breakdown of what renters in Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield can expect.
| Service or Office | Typical Status on Nov. 11, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Federal government offices | Closed |
| U.S. Postal Service | Closed, no regular mail delivery (Priority Mail Express still runs) |
| Virginia state government offices (including DMV) | Closed; the Commonwealth lists Veterans Day as an observed state holiday |
| City of Richmond government offices | Closed, including City Hall |
| Henrico County government offices | Closed |
| Chesterfield County government offices | Closed (listed on the county’s official holiday schedule) |
| Richmond Public Schools | Open, not a school holiday |
| Henrico and Chesterfield public schools | Check each district’s official calendar; historically most Central Virginia districts hold regular classes |
| Most banks and credit unions | Closed, since Veterans Day is a Federal Reserve holiday |
| Trash and recycling collection | Usually on the normal schedule in the Richmond region, but always confirm with your locality |
| Private businesses, retail, restaurants | Varies widely; most stay open, some with special hours or veteran promotions |
A quick note on that table: holiday schedules can shift slightly from year to year, and a locality’s published calendar is always the final word. If something below matters to your week (a DMV appointment, a court date, a trash pickup you’re counting on), it is worth a quick look at the relevant city or county website in the days before November 11.
Federal, State and Local Government
Veterans Day is one of the handful of holidays observed across nearly every level of government. Virginia’s state holiday calendar lists November 11, 2026 as “Veterans Day (Observed),” so state agencies, including DMV customer service centers, are closed that day (though online DMV services remain available). The City of Richmond has consistently closed all city offices, including City Hall, for Veterans Day, with regular hours resuming the next business day. Henrico County government offices close as well. Chesterfield County’s official holiday schedule lists Veterans Day among its observed holidays for county offices.
Schools are the one place where the pattern breaks from the rest of government. Richmond Public Schools have explicitly stated in past years that Veterans Day is not a school closure, meaning classes run as normal. If you have school-age kids in Henrico or Chesterfield, check your specific district’s 2026-2027 academic calendar, since individual districts set their own schedules and can occasionally designate the day as a teacher workday or in-service day rather than a day off for students.
Mail, Package Delivery and Banking
The U.S. Postal Service treats Veterans Day as one of its official holidays, so expect no regular mail delivery and closed post office lobbies on November 11, 2026. Priority Mail Express is the one service that typically still moves on federal holidays. UPS and FedEx generally keep standard ground and express services running on Veterans Day, though it’s worth checking with either carrier directly if you have a time-sensitive shipment, since some services can shift by a day.
Most banks and credit unions close for Veterans Day because it is a Federal Reserve holiday, which means interbank transfers and some electronic payments can be delayed by a business day. If you have a bill due or a transfer scheduled around November 11, it’s a good idea to plan a day ahead just in case.
The Commonwealth’s Veterans Day Ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial
Richmond’s signature Veterans Day tradition is the Commonwealth’s Veterans Day Ceremony, hosted by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services at the Virginia War Memorial. The ceremony has run for decades (it was the 69th annual observance in 2025) and typically takes place outdoors at the E. Bruce Heilman Amphitheater on the Memorial’s grounds at 621 South Belvidere Street in Richmond. In recent years the program has started around 3 p.m., with attendees encouraged to arrive about 30 minutes early for seating, and it has included a tribute to Virginia’s Blue Star families, recognition of a Virginia Military Family of the Year, and student essay contest winners, along with patriotic music from a local high school choir. The ceremony is free, open to the public, and has typically been broadcast locally and livestreamed for anyone who can’t attend in person.
At the time this guide was written, specific 2026 program details (the exact start time, speakers and schedule for what would be the 70th annual ceremony) had not yet been published. Given how consistent this event has been year after year, it is a safe bet that something similar will happen again on November 11, 2026, but renters planning to attend should confirm the exact time and any program changes on the Virginia War Memorial’s website or by calling the Memorial directly closer to the date. The Memorial’s grounds and exhibit hall are also generally open to visitors throughout the day, even outside the ceremony itself, making it a meaningful stop for families who want to mark the day without attending a formal program.
Local Events in Henrico and Chesterfield
Chesterfield County has its own Veterans Day tradition as well. A Veterans Day Ceremony is listed on the county’s events calendar for Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at the Vietnam Veterans Building at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road. Exact program times weren’t posted at the time of research, so residents who want to attend should call Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation or check the county’s events page in the weeks before the holiday for the finalized schedule.
Henrico County doesn’t appear to run a separate large-scale public ceremony distinct from the Commonwealth’s event at the Virginia War Memorial, which draws attendees from across the region, but local American Legion posts, VFW chapters and veteran service organizations throughout Henrico, Chesterfield and the City of Richmond often hold their own smaller observances, flag ceremonies or fundraisers around November 11. If you belong to a neighborhood association or know a veteran-focused nonprofit nearby, a quick check of their event calendars or social media pages in early November is the most reliable way to find something close to home.
Trash and Recycling Pickup for Richmond-Area Renters
Unlike Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s Day, Veterans Day has historically not been one of the holidays that pushes back residential trash and recycling collection in much of the Richmond region. The Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA), which coordinates recycling for many Richmond-area neighborhoods, has in past years specifically confirmed that residential recycling would not be affected by Veterans Day. That said, collection schedules are set locality by locality and can change, so renters shouldn’t assume their own street follows the regional norm. If your lease includes trash service, or if you’re simply trying to avoid a missed pickup, a quick look at your city or county’s solid waste or public works page, or a call to 311 in Richmond, will confirm whether your route is affected this year.
Veteran and Military Discounts on Nov. 11
Veterans Day has become known nationally for retailers and restaurants offering discounts, and sometimes free meals, to veterans and active duty service members. This is a genuinely nice tradition, and many national chains with locations in the Richmond area have participated in past years. However, which businesses participate, what they require (a military ID, a DD-214, a veteran designation on a driver’s license), and what the discount actually is can change from year to year and even store to store within the same chain. Rather than relying on a list that could be outdated by the time you read it, the most reliable approach is simple: call ahead or check a restaurant’s or retailer’s official website or social media in the days before November 11 to confirm their current Veterans Day offer and what proof of service they require. Many local, independently owned restaurants and shops around Richmond also extend their own goodwill gestures to veterans that never make a national list, so it’s worth asking at the businesses you already frequent.
A Day to Thank the Veterans in Your Neighborhood
Veterans Day is fundamentally about honoring the people who served, and that can be as simple as a conversation with a veteran neighbor, coworker or fellow renter in your community. If you’re new to the Richmond area, Veterans Day is also a good moment to learn a bit about the region’s deep military history, from Fort Lee (now Fort Gregg-Adams) to the Virginia National Guard’s long presence here, and about the veteran service organizations, like local VFW posts and American Legion chapters, that support veterans year-round, not just on November 11. For renters looking for a small way to participate, consider attending the Virginia War Memorial’s ceremony or a local county observance, flying a flag if your lease and HOA rules allow it, or simply taking a moment to thank a veteran you know personally. None of it needs to be elaborate to matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Veterans Day 2026 a federal holiday?
Yes. Veterans Day always falls on November 11, and in 2026 that date lands on a Wednesday. It is a federal holiday, which means federal offices, courts and most federal services close for the day.
Will mail be delivered in Richmond on Veterans Day 2026?
No regular mail delivery is expected, since the U.S. Postal Service observes Veterans Day as an official holiday and post offices are closed. Priority Mail Express typically still moves on federal holidays, and private carriers like UPS and FedEx generally run standard services, though it’s worth confirming with either carrier for a specific time-sensitive shipment.
Are Richmond, Henrico, or Chesterfield public schools closed for Veterans Day?
Richmond Public Schools have stated that Veterans Day is not a school closure, so classes run as normal. Henrico and Chesterfield set their own academic calendars each year, so families in those counties should check their specific district’s published 2026-2027 calendar to confirm whether November 11 is a regular school day, a teacher workday, or a day off.
Is trash pickup affected in the Richmond region on Veterans Day?
Historically, Veterans Day has not caused the kind of widespread collection delays that bigger holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas do in the Richmond area, and CVWMA has previously confirmed that residential recycling continues as scheduled around the holiday. Schedules are still set locality by locality, so it’s smart to check your city or county’s solid waste page if a missed pickup would be a real inconvenience.
Where can I see a Veterans Day ceremony near Richmond?
The best-known event is the Commonwealth’s Veterans Day Ceremony, typically held at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond each year, usually in the mid-afternoon. Chesterfield County has also held its own Veterans Day Ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Building at the county fairgrounds. Check each organization’s website closer to November 11, 2026 for the confirmed time and program.
Do veterans get discounts in Richmond on Veterans Day?
Many national and local restaurants and retailers have offered discounts or free meals to veterans and active military on Veterans Day in past years, but exact participants and offers change annually. Confirm directly with a specific business before visiting, and bring valid proof of service such as a military ID or veteran designation.
Are banks open on Veterans Day 2026?
Most banks and credit unions close for Veterans Day because it is observed as a Federal Reserve holiday. If you have a transfer or bill payment scheduled around that date, it’s wise to plan for a possible one-day delay in processing.
What’s the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?
Veterans Day, on November 11, honors all men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces, living and deceased. Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday in May, specifically honors service members who died while serving. Both are meaningful, but they recognize different groups.
Talk to Mission Realty
Wherever you spend Veterans Day this year, Mission Realty Property Management hopes it includes a quiet moment of thanks for the veterans in your own life. If you’re searching for a place to call home in time for the holidays, you can browse current Richmond homes for rent and get a feel for what’s available across the region. Current residents can find lease details, maintenance requests and other day-to-day resources through our residents page, and if you’re a property owner weighing your options, our team can walk you through what professional management looks like or put together a free rental analysis for your property. However you reach out, we’re glad to help, and we’re grateful, today and every day, to the veterans in our Richmond community.
