Veterans Day events and more at National Veterans Memorial and Museum

The National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM), located in Downtown Columbus, honors all of our veterans from all branches and all eras.

Guests experience a narrative journey of individual stories and experiences of veterans through photos, letters and personal effects, multi-media presentations, and interactive exhibits. 

The four foundational pillars aim to Honor, Connect, Inspire, and Educate. Guided Museum Tours are available daily at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Read below for upcoming exhibits, events, and museum discounts.

Exhibits at NVMM

Remembered Light: Glass Fragments from World War II

Opening reception: September 13, 2024 at 6:30 pm. Details. 
Opens September 14, 2024
Connecting the past to the present: Remembered Light features a collection of twenty-five art works created with stained glass shards from war-ravaged European cathedrals, synagogues, and chapels during World War II. US Army Episcopal Chaplain, Frederick McDonald collected and preserved these remnants and collaborated with Oakland California-based glass studio Atelier Le Roux to share his memories of the war.

Each of the artists in Remembered Light incorporate these fragments into striking art pieces that interpret themes of loss, devastation, and the continual striving for peace. Each artwork includes a transcript from Chaplain McDonald’s memory of the specific European location and the events related to them.

Special events at National Veterans Memorial and Museum 

Vets Town Hall

November 8, 2024 at 10 am 
The NVMM and Vets Town Hall cofounder, Sebastian Junger, invite community members to an inspiring Vets Town Hall event. Veterans of any era who served in any capacity are invited to stand before their community and speak for up to ten minutes about what it was like to serve their country. Both Veterans and non-Veterans are encouraged to attend and listen.

The Vets Town Hall is free to attend, and snacks will be provided. Details. 

U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Weekend

November 8-10, 2024
The U.S. Marine Corps turns 249 on November 10! To celebrate, we’re offering $5 admission to the Museum. 

Stay tuned for more details on educational activities!

Ohio MilVets Veterans Day Rally

November 10, 2024 from 11:30 am – 3:30 pm.Entertainment, a free meal and Veteran-related vendor tents. All attendees can also take advantage of the Dog Tag Discount Program and enjoy discounted or complementary admission to NVMM and COSI. 
Support “Toys for Tots” and bring a toy to donate. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will be making their first appearance in Columbus. Details. 

Veterans Day Ceremony

November 11, 2023
Honor and celebrate the selfless service of millions of Veterans who have defended our freedoms and way of life during the annual Veterans Day Ceremony. 

Keynote speaker is Walter “Ted” Carter Jr., 17th president of The Ohio State University. Registration is required.

U.S. Space Force Birthday Weekend

December 20-22, 2024
The Space Force turns 5 on December 20! To celebrate, we’re offering $5 admission to the Museum.

Stay tuned for more details on educational activities!

To learn more, or to register for any of these event, sign up on the Events Calendar. 

Admission for National Veterans Memorial and Museum 

Free admission for U.S. military Veterans, active-duty military, and Gold Star families.

Adults (18-64) = $18
Senior (65+) = $16
College student with ID = $13
Youth (5-17)=$11
Children under 5 = Free

The Memorial Grove, a place of respectful reflection, is free and open from dawn to dusk

Membership starts at just $35/yr for one person

Parking is $5-$10, but free for Veteran, Active-Duty, Gold Star Families.

Free admission with Pickerington Experience Pass

Get free admission with the Pickerington Experience Pass, available for in-person checkout at all branches of the Pickerington Public Library.

Pickerington Experience Passes allow general admission for up to 2 adults and 5 children and be redeemed one time within two days of checkout. Even parking is free! Bring your parking ticket inside to the Welcome Desk for validation! Holds may be placed using a Pickerington Public Library card ONLY. 

Columbus Member Advantage Program

If you’re a member of select Central Ohio attractions, you can save $3 on general admission to NVMM and other attractions through the Columbus Member Advantage program.

No coupon is necessary. Simply show your valid participating membership card when you visit! Limited to 4 discounts per membership per day; can’t be combined with other discounts.  

Member Advantage partners for 2024 include:

• Columbus Museum of Art and Pizzuti Collection (see our article)
• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (see our article)
• Dawes Arboretum (see our article)
• Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (see our article)
• LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Columbus (see our article)
• National Veterans Memorial and Museum (see our article)
• Ohio History Center & Ohio Village (see our article)
• Wexner Center for the Arts (see our article)
• COSI (advanced tickets required)
• The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art and Technology (also qualifies for ASTC reciprocal admission) 

Museum Hours

Currently open Wednesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except special events or holidays.

Special Holiday Hours: OPEN

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Presidents Day ($1 admission)
• Memorial Day (free admission)
• July 4
• Veterans Day

Holidays CLOSED

• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
• New Year’s Day
• Easter Sunday
• Labor Day

National Veterans Memorial and Museum 
300 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 
(614) 362-2800 
website | Facebook

Past events at NVMM; tba for 2024

Presidents Day $1 Admission

February 19, 2024

This Presidents Day, connect with the stories of Presidents who served for a Washington ($1). Learn more about their unique stories and discover the experiences of our Veteran Presidents when you visit.

Special activities include:

• Presidential Trivia with Prizes
• Presidential Scavenger Hunt
• Hands-on navigation activity featuring our newest exhibition, Lost Man Blues: Jon Schueler – Art and War. Visitors can track John Schueler’s flight path from a January 1943 bombing run to St. Nazaire using navigation instruments.
• Explore real flight computers in the Tuskegee Airmen Alcove.

Welcome Home Ceremony – National Vietnam War Veterans Day

March 29, 2024

Join us at the museum on Vietnam War Veterans Day for a moving ceremony to welcome home Veterans, many of whom never received that honor after serving our country during the Vietnam War.

Our keynote speaker is Chief Master Sergeant Ray Snedegar, U.S. Air Force (Retired) who served for 32 years in the Air Force from 1958-1990. In 1975, Snedegar was assigned to help with the mission, Operation Babylift in Vietnam. He will share how he helped save the lives of 145 babies and 12 adults after an attack of the plane. In total, Operation Babylift evacuated more than 3,000 orphans from Saigon.

Memorial Weekend at NVMM

Saturday, May 25 – Monday, May 27, 2024

Rooftop CrossFit Hero Workout

May 25 at 8-11 am
Join the NVMM and CrossFit Clintonville on Saturday, May 25, for a workout in honor Medal of Honor recipient and Navy SEAL, Lieutenant Michael Murphy.

Murphy was killed in action when he risked his life to call for help during an ambush while serving in Afghanistan in 2005. Remember Lt. Murphy, his sacrifice and the impact it left on the people around him this Memorial Day Weekend.

There will be three separate times for you to be able to participate in this event. Tickets include a commemorative Hero Workout item, free Museum admission and free parking. Registration for preferred timeslot available soon! 

The National Ride for Freedom

May 25, 2024 at 11 am

Rev up your engines for the National Ride for Freedom! The vibrations from this event are expected to be felt all over town as hundreds of motorcycles converge at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

All motorcyclists are welcome to take part in this commemorative ride. Registration is $15.

Gold Star Family Candlelight Vigil

May 26, 2024 at 7 pm – 9 pm

During Memorial Day weekend, we honor the sacrifices of our Gold Star families who have lost a loved one in service to our country with a Candlelight Vigil.  

Guest speaker is Tara Harris, eldest daughter of First Sergeant Glenn Harris of B Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, who was killed in a training accident barely a year after returning home from the Battle of Mogadishu, Somalia, in October 1993. 

Also, listen as U.S. Army Veteran and country musician, Keni Thomas, shares a special tribute for Families of the Fallen.

Following a dessert reception at 7 p.m., the Gold Star Family Candlelight Vigil procession will begin on the Museum rooftop and travel down to the Soldiers Cross in Memorial Grove. Details here.

Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony

May 27, 2024 at 10 am

Mark Memorial Day with our annual Remembrance Ceremony starting at 10 a.m. on the National Veterans Memorial and Museum rooftop. 

The keynote message will be provided by Secretary Patrick J. Murphy, America’s first Iraq War Veteran elected to the U.S. Congress and the 32nd Under Secretary of the U.S. Army. He will share a powerful message about the importance of paying tribute to our fallen soldiers and their families, as well as how you can honor their legacy of service.

This event is just $5 and open to the public, but registration is required. Register for an in-person seat here. Ticket includes museum admission after ceremony. Those who are not able to join in person can watch live on Facebook or YouTube.

Yoga, Jiu Jitsu, and other wellness events

Various yoga, wellness, and Jiu Jitsu classes are offered throughout the month. All are welcome. 

Patriot Day Ceremony and Free Admission

September 11, 2024. The Museum will commemorate the Anniversary of September 11, 2001, during the Patriot Day Ceremony. 

Join us at the Museum or online on Monday, September 11, for our Patriot Day Ceremony. We will honor all those who lost their lives, the first responders who rescued many and refused to leave anyone behind and the Veterans who served again on that fateful day 22 years ago.

The 2024 Patriot Day Ceremony is free to attend and will be held out front of the Museum, weather permitting. Admission to the museum before or after the ceremony is just $5 when you reserve your tickets. Details.

Patriot Day events in observance of 9/11 in Columbus

U.S. Air Force Birthday Weekend

September 20-22, 2024
The U.S. Air Force turns 77 on September 18! To celebrate, we’re offering $5 admission to the Museum.

Enjoy special activities including

Friday, September 20 Trivia at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Activity Stations, including a “Make Your Own Airplane” section
Saturday, September 21 2 p.m.: Guardians of the Sky: Unveiling the Minutemen’s Legacy These distinguished guests, known as “Minutemen,” will share their personal experiences as Cold War Veterans, offering unique insights into a lesser-known aspect of Air Force history. Activity Stations, including a “Make Your Own Airplane” section
Sunday, September 22 Activity Stations, including a “Make Your Own Airplane” section This is your chance to explore Air Force history, engage with the unique stories of our Veterans and enjoy family-friendly activities.

U.S. Navy Birthday Weekend

October 11-13, 2024
The U.S. Navy turns 249 on October 13! To celebrate, we’re offering $5 admission to the Museum.

Stay tuned for more details on educational activities!