Before diving into what is open and closed, there are several ways to honor those who have served across the metro area on Wednesday.
Albuquerque’s annual Veterans Day Parade steps off at 9 a.m. from USS Bullhead Memorial Park, winding along Gibson and Louisiana boulevards before wrapping up at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial, where a commemorative ceremony and concert follow at 10:30 a.m. Just up the road in Sandoval County, Rio Rancho hosts its own Veterans Day parade along Southern Boulevard starting at 10 a.m., leading into an 11 a.m. tribute ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park. Over at the University of New Mexico campus, the public is invited to a 10 a.m. memorial service at the UNM Alumni Memorial Chapel honoring veterans and fallen alumni.
If you have errands to run on Wednesday for Veterans Day, you will find most government offices taking the day off across central New Mexico. In the City of Albuquerque, normal Wednesday trash and recycling service remains right on schedule, so you can wheel your carts to the curb as usual. City Hall, public libraries, health centers, and community centers will be shuttered for the holiday. However, if you are looking to get outside, the ABQ BioPark, city golf courses, open space trails, and the Albuquerque Museum are welcoming visitors. Getting around is easy, too, as ABQ RIDE buses and Sun Van paratransit will stay on their routes.
Both Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties are pausing most administrative services for the day, along with the Villages of Tijeras and Corrales, City of Edgewood and Town of Bernalillo.
If your plans involve State of New Mexico or federal business, you will want to wait until Thursday. State administrative offices, courthouses, and MVD locations are closed, as are federal offices and the post office. Most local bank branches are taking the holiday off as well, though the U.S. stock markets will trade as normal.
On the flip side, students get a midweek break with Albuquerque Public Schools closed. If you need groceries, want to grab a bite to eat, or plan on shopping, private businesses and major retail chains will be open—with plenty of local spots offering meals and discounts for service members and veterans.