Thousands of people will line Manhattan’s streets for the city’s annual Veterans Day parade Tuesday, honoring those who’ve served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

This year’s parade steps off at 12:30 p.m., with a march up Fifth Avenue from East 25th to East 45th Streets, featuring present and past members of every branch of the military as well as youth cadets, marching bands, vintage vehicles and service organizations, according to the United War Veterans Council that runs the event.

What should I expect from this year’s parade?

This year’s parade commemorates 250 years of military service since the start of the Revolutionary War. The United War Veterans Council says it anticipates more than 280 marching units, 20,000 marchers and 25 floats.

But first, at 8:30 a.m., veterans and active military will participate in the annual Honor Ruck fitness march beginning in lower Manhattan, according to the council. The annual wreath-laying ceremony follows at 10:55 a.m. in Madison Square Park.

The parade itself will be led by former United States Army soldier and Medal of Honor recipient Clinton Romesha, Marine veteran and homeless veterans advocate Stephen Peck, and NASA Astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Captain Sunita “Suni” Williams.

The National Weather Service is expecting clear skies on Veterans Day, with a high around 44, so you may want to bundle up.

For those who’d rather not brave the crowds or the chills, the parade will be streamed online and air on ABC.

A Girl Scout troop holds up pictures of veterans as they participate in the 105th annual Veterans Day Parade in 2024.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

If I'm driving, what streets should avoid?

The NYPD says to expect several street closures Tuesday.

For the formation:

  • Broadway between West 23rd Street and West 29th Street
  • Broadway between 5th Avenue and East 23rd Street
  • 5th Avenue between West 23rd Street and West 26th Street
  • West 24th Street between 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue
  • West 25th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
  • East/West 26th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue
  • East/West 27th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue
  • East/West 28th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue

For the route:

  • 5th Avenue between 25th Street and 48th Street

For dispersal:

  • East/West 45th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue

The NYPD says there will also be closures on 6th Avenue between West 23rd Street and West 27th Street, and on East 29th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue.

What else is happening on Veterans Day?

A lot of closures, including of federal, state and local offices. That means all city public schools and Department of Education offices, the DMV, city and state courts, city library branches, Social Security offices and post offices will be shut, according to NY311. There will be no mail delivery, and no trash, recycling or compost collection.

Alternate-side parking rules are suspended, but parking meters are in effect.

How else are New York institutions marking Veterans Day?

The NY Waterway said it will provide free ferry rides on all routes for both active-duty military personnel and military veterans on Veterans Day. Veterans and service members will need to present valid veteran or military IDs to qualify. There’s more information at nywaterway.com/VeteransDay2025.

Admission to the Intrepid Museum will be free Tuesday for all U.S. veterans, active and retired military. The museum will hold its annual Veterans Day ceremony at 3:30 p.m., including a commemorative wreath-laying in the Hudson River to honor service members and the Intrepid 's former crew. The event is open to all museum ticket-holders.

The state is also making Veterans Day its final Free Fishing Day of 2025 — open to military and non-military residents alike. The state will waive the fishing license requirements for freshwater fishing in New York’s waters, but all other freshwater fishing regulations remain in effect.

And upstate in Cooperstown, the National Baseball Hall of Fame is free for veterans all month. It says 70 of its 351 Hall of Famers interrupted their baseball careers to serve in the military.