Another weekend on its way! For this one, we’re putting a big focus on our veterans and service men and women. So, whether you know someone personally you’d like to thank, or just want to show your gratitude on a broader scale, we have some good options for this Friday. Plus, reindeer and the orchestra!

Nov 11

Free Admission Day at The Oregon Zoo

With Thanksgiving around the corner, it’s important that we don’t let November fly by without recognizing another very important day of giving thanks: Veterans’ Day. In honor of the men and women who have served our country, Oregon Zoo is making Friday Free Admission Day for all military veterans and active military personnel and their families. Families of deployed military personnel will also be given free admission. Additionally, these special guests will be given 10% off of all gift shop, food and drink purchases. Check the website to find out what ID or paperwork you need to bring to enjoy a day at the zoo! Free, oregonzoo.org

Nov 11

Portland Veterans’ Day Parade

Started in 1974 by Vernon E. Ross of the Ross Hollywood Funeral Chapel, Portland’s only Veterans’ Day Parade will be marching through the Hollywood district this Friday. The parade will feature the historic horse-mounted Buffalo Soldiers Moses William Chapter of the 9th and 10th Cavalry, veteran motorcycle clubs, veteran service organizations, Boy and Girl Scout troupes and more. Everyone is welcome to attend, and if you’d like to march, just register on the website! Parade-goers will also be treated to a USO-style show and launch at the Hollywood Theatre, and Tony Starlight’s Supper Club and Lounge will perform WWII-era songs and other patriotic music. Free, veteransdaypdx.org

Nov 11

Free Entrance Day to National Parks

Feeling something a little more low-key to honor the vets or service men and women in your life? The National Parks Service is showing their gratitude by making this Friday a Free Entrance Day for all park visitors. In addition to the beautiful wilderness, there are dozes of battlefields, military parks and historic sites that pay homage to the service of all American military members within our National Parks. From the Statue of Liberty, to the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore and awe-inspiring landscapes (and we have plenty in the NW!), these places serve to remind us of the beauty and majesty of the United States countryside. Free, nps.gov

Nov 12

Reindeer Day at Nordia House

Oh, you know the holidays are on their way when the reindeer start showing up! Join Nordic Northwest in greeting Cupid, a 6-year-old steer, and Joy, a 6-month-old calf on their visit to the Nordia House Meadow. Learn all about domesticating reindeer and listen to “Why Reindeer?” lectures by Cindy Murdoch of Timberview Farms. As part of her on-going Journey of the Reindeer exhibition, she’ll be telling you all about the significance of the reindeer to the Sami people, indigenous people of Scandinavia who inhabit the Arctic area of Sápmi. It promises to be a day of fun, heart-warming education! Free, scanheritage.org

Nov 13

Portland Youth Philharmonic Fall Concert

Ah, the sound of music. What’s more inspiring than a youth orchestra? I know we all love watching what the talented young people of Portland can do, so this weekend, take the family out to this all-ages fall concert at the beautiful Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Under direction of David Hattner, the concert will include a piece by Richard Wagner (always a favorite!), feature the winning soloist from PYP’s 2016 Soloist Competition, and present a world premier of Symphony No. 2 by Czech-American contemporary classical composer Thomas Svoboda. Have a classical night out! $5-55, portlandyouthphil.org