Frequently Asked Questions
28th Annual Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 – 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 11 - Schedule of Events:
10:30 a.m. Pre-Stage Closure – Palm Canyon Drive from Ramon Road to Camino Parocela
2:00 p.m. Street Closure – Palm Canyon Drive from Granvia Valmonte to Ramon Roads
3:30 p.m. Parade Start at Ramon Road; Opening Ceremony begins at Main Stage at Amado Road
4:30 p.m. (time approx.) Post parade concert with 300th Army Reserve Band at Main Stage at Amado and Palm Canyon
5:00 p.m. (time approx.) Fireworks Finale
When is the Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade? What time does it start? The Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade takes place each year on November 11. This year’s parade is on Tuesday, November 11. The parade begins promptly at 3:30 p.m.
Where does the parade take place? Where does it start, where does it end? The parade takes place on Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs. It begins at Ramon Road and Palm Canyon Drive and heads northbound on Palm Canyon Drive to Alejo Road where it ends.
How long is the parade route? The parade route is approximately one mile long. It takes approximately 30-40 minutes for each entry to complete the route. The first unit steps off at 3:30 p.m. and the last unit will cross the finish line at approximately 4:30 p.m.
Where is the staging area for the parade? The staging area for the parade is located on Palm Canyon Drive between Camino Parocela and Ramon Road. Additionally, Ramon Road from Indian Canyon Drive to Belardo Road is used for staging.
What time will the roads close for the parade? The staging area on Palm Canyon Drive from Ramon Road to Camino Parocela will close at 11:00 a.m. and will remain closed until the last unit has left the staging area, and the street is safe to re-open. This will happen at approximately 5:00 p.m.; Palm Canyon Drive from Alejo to Ramon Roads will close beginning at 12:30 p.m. and will remain closed until approximately 6:30 p.m. Additionally Amado Road from Palm Canyon Drive to Indian Canyon Drive, and Amado Road from Palm Canyon Drive to Belardo Road will be closed from 6:00 a.m. until approximately 8:30 p.m. for the main stage and Review Stand.
Where is the main Reviewing Stand for dignitaries and sponsors located? The Review Stand will be located at the intersection of Amado Road and Palm Canyon Drive on the east side of the intersection. The Review Stand is for our local dignitaries, invited military guests and our generous parade sponsors.
Where is the main stage located? The main stage is located on the west side of the intersection of Amado Road and Palm Canyon Drive. The parade announcer will be located at the main stage. Additionally, the post-parade patriotic concert will be performed at the main stage, with the fireworks at O’Donnell Golf Course (behind the main stage).
Is the concert free? Where is the best place to view the concert? Yes, the concert is free! Best place to view the concert is in the intersection of Amado Road and Palm Canyon Drive. Spectators will be permitted into the intersection at the conclusion of the parade.
What time do the fireworks go off? The fireworks finale goes off at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Where is the best place to park? The best place to park is using the area streets surrounding the parade route and the surrounding parking lots. As we have many spectators at the parade, it is best to come early to get available parking and to secure viewing space along the parade route.
How long does the parade last? The parade will last approximately one hour and the post-parade concert lasts approximately 45 minutes.
What time will the streets re-open? Palm Canyon Drive will re-open to vehicular traffic following the parade once all units have safely cleared the area and pedestrians have dispersed. We anticipate opening Palm Canyon Drive by 6:30 p.m.
What happens in the case of inclement weather? The Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade takes place rain or shine.
Where is the best place to watch the parade? Is there bleacher seating available? The best place to watch the parade is along Palm Canyon Drive from Ramon to Alejo Roads. There is limited bleacher seating available to the public on a first come, first served basis at no charge. The bleachers will be located just north and south of the Review Stand, which is located at the intersection of Palm Canyon Drive and Amado Road. As bleacher seating is very limited, please arrive early if you wish to try and secure bleacher seating.
Are any chairs provided for along the parade route? Chairs are not provided anywhere along the parade route. Please feel free to bring lawn chairs from home to sit in or sit along the curb on Palm Canyon Drive.
How should we dress for the parade? The weather may become cool later in the afternoon, as the sun sets, so we suggest that you dress warmly. You may wish to bring along a blanket or mat to sit on to help keep you warm.
Is there specially designated disabled viewing area? Will disabled parking be available? The City of Palm Springs has designated two locations for persons with disabilities to view the parade. The seating is available on a first come, first served basis in the designated locations. Space is limited. An accompanying guest must bring his or her own chair or blanket to sit on. Chairs will not be provided. The designated locations for the seating are at the southeast corner of Palm Canyon Drive and Tahquitz Canyon Way (near the Welwood Murray Library), and on Palm Canyon Drive on the east side of the street, just north of the Amado Road intersection. Disabled parking is in the parking lots near these two locations.
Will there be a sign language interpreter on the main stage? Yes. A sign language interpreter will be available at the Main Stage located at the intersection of Palm Canyon Drive and Amado Road.
Should I bring anything? May I bring a cooler? Please feel free to bring blankets and/or lawn chairs to sit on. You may bring your own food and beverage, but please note: No Alcohol is permitted.
What time should we plan on getting there? As this parade draws large crowds, you may wish to secure seating early along the parade route. We recommend you arrive an hour prior to the parade to get a good location to view the parade.
How many people attend the parade? Many, many people (in the thousands) come to see our parade every year. The crowds are quite large, and you should pre-designate a meeting area for your family members should anyone get separated from your group.
Do I need a ticket? You do not need any tickets to see the parade. It is free and open to the public!
What’s in the parade? What can we expect to see? How many entries are in the parade? There are approximately 60 entries in the parade. Parade entries include marching bands, military equipment, veteran’s organizations, and much more.
Can I still enter the parade today as a participant? Is it too late to enter a float or parade entry? The application for parade entry will close on Oct. 18. Space is limited in our parade. After this date we cannot take any further entries.
We are already in the parade and want to change the script we submitted. Can we do that? Please contact the Special Events Manager, Jasmine Waits at (760) 323-8272. Once the parade script is complete, no changes will be accepted.
If we need to cancel our participation, what should we do? Please contact the Special Events Manager, Jasmine Waits at (760) 323-8272.
Are the floats and parade entries judged? No. There is no judging for the Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade.
Who are the people in orange/green safety vests? The people in the orange and/or green safety vests are City staff and parade staff who are trained to keep the route safe and always maintaining forward motion for parade units.
Is there a lost and found area at the parade? Yes. The lost and found is located at the Main Stage area which is located at the intersection of Palm Canyon Drive and Amado Road on the west side of the street.
Is the parade suitable for children? Absolutely! This family friendly parade is one of the largest Veterans Day Parades in Southern California.
Who puts on the parade? The parade is put on by the City of Palm Springs along with our generous sponsors.
What is the parade for? What is the theme of the parade? The parade was created by a small group of community-minded individuals who believed it important to offer the Coachella Valley an event that would allow residents and visitors to honor and pay tribute to all those who have served our country in the Armed Forces.
How can I become a volunteer? If you would like to be a volunteer for next year’s parade, please contact Jasmine Waits, Special Events Manager at (760) 323-8272 or via email at jasmine.waits@palmsprings-ca.gov
How can my company become a sponsor or donate to the parade? Can I be an individual sponsor? If you would like to become a sponsor of the parade, please contact Jasmine Waits, Special Events Manager at (760) 323-8272 or via email at jasmine.waits@palmsprings-ca.gov