Veterans Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony: Americans planning to visit Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Veterans Day will face a change this year. On Wednesday, November 11, 2026, the public won’t be allowed to watch the annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Arlington National Cemetery has announced that only official participants can attend this part of the event. In previous years, members of the public could gather to watch the tribute. But the restriction doesn’t apply to the entire Veterans Day programme. The main national observance will still be free and open to visitors.
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What Can Visitors Attend on November 11?
The 73rd annual National Veterans Day Observance will begin at 11 a.m. inside the Memorial Amphitheater. It will honour people who have served in the US Armed Forces during war and peacetime.
The programme will start with a music performance at 10:30 a.m. by the United States Coast Guard Band and the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants. The main event will include a parade of colours by veterans’ groups and speeches from dignitaries.
Entry is free, but seats will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors should arrive early as seating is limited.
There are also special travel rules for the event. Free parking will be available at the cemetery’s Welcome Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors must use the tram to reach the Memorial Amphitheater. Walking to and from the venue won’t be allowed.
The tram service is expected to start around 8:30 a.m. and continue until the event reaches capacity. Visitors are advised to reach the tram by 9:45 a.m. Security checks will be required before entry.
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Which Items are Not Allowed?
Visitors should check their bags before leaving home. Arlington has listed several items that can’t be taken into the event:
- Large bags and backpacks, umbrellas and packages.
- Glass, metal or insulated containers, including hard water bottles and soda cans.
- Alcohol, coolers and picnic baskets.
- Bicycles, drones and other unmanned aircraft.
- Tripods, selfie sticks and sign supports.
- Weapons, ammunition, explosives and pepper spray.
- Aerosol containers, lighters, laser pointers and air horns.
- Screwdrivers, brass knuckles and other items seen as safety risks.
Clear disposable plastic water bottles are allowed, but hard water bottles will be taken away at the security checkpoint and won’t be returned. The list may also change due to security needs.
Family pass holders visiting loved ones can still enter through the main gate on Memorial Avenue. However, they should expect delays and temporary movement restrictions inside the cemetery. People who can’t attend can watch the event through the official livestream.
Why is the Tomb Important?
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was dedicated on November 11, 1921. President Warren G. Harding led the ceremony, where an unidentified American soldier from World War I was buried.
The monument represents American service members who died in wars but whose remains couldn’t be identified. It remains an important place where people pay respect to those who lost their lives serving the country.
