Large Annual UK Events
The Queen's Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour)
The Queen's Birthday Parade is held annualy on Horse Guards Parade and is televised to a live audience on the BBC. Dates for next year have not yet been annouced but for the 2 Saturday's and prior to the main event, is The Major General's Review and The Colonel's Review which do not have The Queen present but occasionally another member of The Royal Family, if they are the Colonel of The Regiment, during the Colonel's Review.
After the ceremony, the Massed Bands of the Household Division, the guards regiments on parade, The Household Cavalry, The Kings Troop R.H.A and The Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry parade up the Mall to Buckingham Palace and then followed by a Royal Air Force, always culminating in The RAF Red Arrows.
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For the first time, you can now buy tickets for the Major General's Review and The Colonel's Review online and enter the ballot for The Queen's Birthday Parade via the website below:
The Household Division Beating Retreat
For two nights in every June, The Household Division hold their Beating Retreat on Horse Guards Parade featuring - The Massed Bands of the Household Division, The Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry, Pipes and Drums and often guest bands from around the world!
The dates are always the Wednesday and Thursday before the Queen's Birthday Parade, starting at 8pm and tickets are currently on sale and can be obtained by the link bellow:
The RAF In Concert Tour
Each year between September and November the bands of The Royal Air Force perform an entertaining programme of music in theaters and concert halls around the UK each Autumn. The concerts are organised by organisers of The Royal International Air Tattoo, held annually at RAF Fairford in July.
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The Mountbatten Festival of Music
During March or April time every year the Royal Albert Hall plays host to one of the finest military music concerts, the Mountbatten Festival of Music, performed by The Massed Bands of HM Royal Marines.
These concerts display the outstanding versatility of some of the world’s finest military musicians and are given the “West End” treatment with spectacular lighting effects.
The Festival sees the Royal Marines showcase their incredible musicianship and pageantry and features a wide range of musical styles, including music from the big screen and superb solo items, as well as the traditional marches and overtures that have proved such a hit with audiences over the years.
Proceeds go to The Royal Marines Charity and CLIC Sargent.
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To buy tickets for next years event please follow the link below. Booking opens in the Autumn before each concert the following Spring.
https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2021/mountbatten/
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Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day is an annual day of celebration for the Armed Forces of Great Britain. Events are held all around the UK raising awareness and for the public to show support with a main centerpiece events in a chosen place in the UK. This event is held on the last Saturday of June each year, although regional events are held around the county in the weeks before and after the date. Military Bands support events across the UK by leading parades and performing concerts.
To find an events near you click on the link bellow:
https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/find-events/
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To specifically find where Military Bands are performing on Armed Forces Day go to our Armed Forces Day page under our events section.
Scarlet and Gold
Each year at the en of November or early December, The Massed Bands of the Household Division perform their annual winter showcase concert entitled 'Scarlet and Gold' in the Cadogan Hall, Sloane Square in Chelsea, London.
The concerts are always held at the end of November in London. In recent years the concert has been held in Codagan Hall and The Royal Festival Hall in London.
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The Household Division Music Festival
The Household Division will present The Household Division music festival in and outside The Guards Chapel on Birdcage Walk in London for a whole week at the end of June! The events features soloists, ensembles and full band recitals and performances from the bands of the Household Division each afternoon and evening.
For more information including the programme please visit the page below:
https://www.militarybandseverywhere.co.uk/household-division-musical-events
The Royal Marines Beating Retreat
Held every other year The Massed Bands of HM Royal Marines combine to perform a magnificent display of music pageantry and drill on Horse Guards Parade in late May or early June raising funds for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.
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Following the ceremony on the Thursday night The Massed Bands will parade up the Mall to Buckingham Palace and back to Wellington Barracks.
Gun Salutes
Gun Salutes are held in Hyde Park or Green Park in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh Castle, Museum Gardens in York and Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland. For the Queens Official Birthday in June Guns salutes will also be fired in Colchester and Stirling Castle.
Gun Salutes are always supported by Military Bands around the UK.
Gun Salutes are fired to mark special occasions and theses are the dates in which they are fired:
6th February - Accession Day
21st April - H.M Queen's Birthday
2nd June - Coronation Day
10th June - H.R.H Duke of Edinburgh's Birthday
2nd Saturday in June - The Queen's Official Birthday
14th November - H.R.H Prince Charles's Birthday
Gun Salutes are also fired when a new Royal Baby is born and during The State Opening of Parliment and Inward State Visits.
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Gun Salutes never take place on Sundays and will consequently be moved to the following day (Monday)
