Armed Forces Day (2021 events to be confirmed due to Covid-19)
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 on or in the last few weeks in June/early July.
Next year the national event will be held in Scarborough.
Military Bands, from all three services support events across the UK by leading parades and performing concerts.
Updates on where bands will be performing, where and wen will be updated onto this page, when details are released:
Last Updated: 21/4/19
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Jun 28, 2019
Armed Forces Day Natinoal Event (Tri Service Musical Particpation)
Sailsbury
​The 2019 National Armed Forces Day Event will take place in Sailsbury and will feature bands from all three services of the British armed forces, alongside many other exciting displays.
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For more information on the 2019 national event please follow the link below:
https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/get-involved/afd-national-event/
Jun 21, 2019
The Band of HM Royal Marines Plymouth
Weston Super Mare
​The Band of HM Royal Marines Plymuth will lead the Weston Super Mare Armed Forces Day Celebrations on Saturday 22nd June 2019.
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The musical programme for the day is as follows:
Band and the Parade will form on the Promenade to the north of the Grand Pier
12.00 hours HM Royal Marines Band and Parade will march along the Promenade from the Grand Pier to the arena
12.15 hours Formal Opening and Flag Raising Ceremony.
Display by the Band (Royal Marines)
Unarmed Combat Display
Unarmed Combat Display
16.55 hours Somerset Cadet Battalion, Army Cadet
Force’The Silver Bugles’ Sounding Retreat
(to include Sunset and lowering of the AFD
Flag)
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During the weekend, the Weston Super Mare Air Festival willl also be taking place.
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For more information on the 2019 national event please follow the link below:
Jun 28, 2019
The Band of HM Royal Marines Cammando Training Center
Gloucester
​The Band of HM Royal Marines Commando Training Center will lead the Armed Forces Day celebrations in Gloucester. They will lead a parade from Gloucester Cathedral to The Soldiers of Gloucester museum in the docks.
A Spitfire from The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight has also been confirmed for the event (weather depending).
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For more information please visit the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/Armed-Forces-Day-Gloucester-603678216385877/
Jun 28, 2019
The Band of HM Royal Marines Plymouth
Plymouth
The start of the day will see the Parade of Standards, as veterans and cadets march across the Hoe promenade. Throughout the day, visitors will be able to watch the Field Gun competition with tri-service teams competing for the prestigious Babcock cup, the Unarmed Combat Display by 30 CDO Stonehouse Royal Marines and performances from bands including the City of Plymouth Pipe Band and the marching band of the Royal Marines, Plymouth.
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From 5pm, an air display will take to the skies, starting with a rescue display from the Coastguard in partnership with the RNLI. There will be a flypast an RAF Spitfire plane. The closing display will be from the spectacular Red Arrows, which will be performing for the first time since their appearance at Armed Forces Day in 2012.
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Across the Hoe, a number of ‘villages’ will showcase the Royal Navy, Army, RAF, Royal Marines and the emergency services, with vehicles and equipment on display, information about recruitment and military personnel to meet. The Veteran’s Village, supported by Royal British Legion, will also see more than 60 local charities and organisations showcasing their work, offering information, advice and support.
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The main stage will host performances from local choirs and groups throughout the day, including the Community Military Kids Choir and the Military Wives choir.
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From 6pm, a free evening concert sponsored by C&G Catering, will entertain the crowds with a fantastic range of live music. The night will be headlined by One Step Behind, the UK’s leading Madness tribute band. Also taking to the stage is Scarlett Lee, last year’s X Factor runner-up, a Tom Jones tribute act and the Royal Marine Function Band.
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For more information please visit the link below:
https://www.plymoutharmedforcesday.co.uk/?lightbox=dataItem-jtjwmvfu1
Jun 28, 2019
The Band and Bugles of the Rifles
Hereford
The Band of the Bugles of the Rifles will lead Hereford's 2019 Armed Forces Day in Hereford Town. The event will also coincide wit he Rifles exercising their Freedom of the Town.
The day will end with The Band and Bugles performing a 'Sounding Retreat' Ceremony in the town.
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For more information please visit the link below:
Jun 28, 2019
The Band of the Royal Anglian Regiment
Peterborough
Armed Forces Day Peterborough 2019 will include a variety of performances, stalls, charities and military vehicles. There will also be a parade, Military Band, Pipe Band and Majorettes in attendance over the course of the day. This is a free day out in the heart of Peterborough.
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For more information please visit the like below:
http://www.peterboroughafd.org.uk/
Jun 29, 2019
The Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of the Royal Welsh
Tredegar
The event will be held in Bedwellty House and Park on Sunday 30 June 2019.
The entertainment starts at 12 noon with stalls and activities.
Musical entertainment will be provided by local artist(s) and The Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of the Royal Welsh.
It is proposed that the parade will assemble at 2.30pm, with a 2.50pm ‘step off’ marching from the Memorial Gates, Bedwellty Park, and through the Park for a Service of Thanks at the Band Stand at 3.00pm. The service will be followed by a performance by the Regimental Band of Wales and the event culminates at 4.30pm with a marching display from the Band.
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For more information please visit the link below:
Below is a list of where some bands performed across the country for last year's event!
Jun 23, 2018
Brecon
The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas
The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas will lead the Mandalay Wing of the Brigade of Gurkhas for the 33rd annual Gurkha freedom of Brecon parade on Sunday 24th June at 14:00.
The parade will march onto the Bulwark to be inspected before marching around the town.
After the event there will be some short displays on the Bulwark including a performance of The Band of the Brigade of Gurkha's Sounding Retreat display.
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Jun 24, 2018
Blackpool, Winter Gardens
The Band of The King's Division
​Blackpool says thank you to the Armed Forces past and present, with this musical extravaganza in Blackpool’s famous Empress Ballroom.
Now in its 10th year, this free concert has become one of the many highlights of the Armed Forces Week celebrations. The Ballroom will host a night of music, comedy and live performance with a full program of entertainment. Music for Heroes will be headlined by the excellent MOD band the Band of the Kings Division and will feature the Irish Guard Singers, The Land Girls, BAE Choir, Blackpool Music Service and much, much more.
Time: Doors approx. 19:00 show 19:30
Location: Opera House, Blackpool Winter Gardens
Tickets: FREE but includes a £1.00 booking fee per ticket, available from Blackpool Winter Gardens and the VisitBlackpool Tourist Information Centre.
Jun 24, 2018
Peacock Lawn Hall, Royal Victoria Infirmary
The Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
In support of Reserves Day (27th June) and Armed Forces Day that week we are welcoming the The Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers of the Fifth Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers to Peacock Hall to showcase their entertaining program of original wind band and arrangements of their popular repertoire.
It is a great opportunity to see this fantastic band in such an unusual setting to show our appreciation of the Armed Forces and all they do for us civilians. The performance will take place on the lawn outside of Peacock Hall. Peacock Hall is the old building with the statue of Queen Victoria.
Jun 27, 2018
Stockton on Tees
The Band of the Royal Armoured Corps
On Thursday 28th June The Band of the Royal Armoured Corps will lead the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment through Redcar and Stockton on Tees.
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The itinerary for the day is:
11:00 AM -the parade will march from the civic centre & war memorial in Redcar to the High Street, passing by the clock tower and then onto the esplanade towards the RNLI (they will carry out inspections and speeches at the raised platform 200 meters before the RNLI building). Once the parade is given permission to march through the town they will set of back to the start point via the town precinct.
2:00PM - The Stockton on Tees march will commence from the council municipal centre towards the high street, passing by the war memorial, the high street & onto the Dais ( they will carry out inspections and speeches at the Dais before moving towards the town hall).
Jun 28, 2018
Llandudno Bandstand
Armed Forces Day National Event
On the eve of Armed Forces Day military bands will perform a concert on the Bandstand in Llandudno to welcome HMS Somerset and to start the National Armed Forces Day Celebrations.
Jun 29, 2018
Llandudno
Tri Service Bands
There will be tri- service musical support supporting The 2018 National Armed Forces Day event in Llandudno, North Wales.
Currently the following bands are set to perform at this years National Festival:
The Band of HM Royal Marines Collingwood
The Band of the Prince of Wales Division
The Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of the Royal Welsh
The Band of the RAF Regiment
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Other attractions will include the RLC Silver Stars Parachute Display Team, flying displays from The RAF Red Arrows and BBMF Display Team, a Khuruki Knife Dance by the Gurkhas, HMS Somerset and cadet bands among many other attractions.
Jun 29, 2018
Littlehampton Mannor, Sussex
The Band of the Grenadier Guards
The Band of the Grenadier Guards will perform at Sussex's 2018 Armed Forces Day celebrations in Littlehampton, where the main events will occur at The Seafront Gardens.
A timetable of events is as follows:
10:30 Parade along promenade
11:00 Drumhead Service
11:45 RBL Riders Arrival
12:10 Gatwick Caledonian Pipe Band
12:40 YAK52 Display (over the sea)
13:05 IMPS Display Team
13:55 Band of the Grenadier Guards
14:15 Armoured Vehicles
14:40 Drill Competition
15:05 IMPS Display Team
15:35 Battle of Britain Flypast (over the sea)
16:10 Re-enactment
16:30 Sunset Service Performances
Stage by the Sea programme -
14:55 Cadets Massed Band
Jun 29, 2018
The Guards Chapel, Birdcage Walk, London
The Band of the Coldstream Guards
The Band of the Coldstream Guards will perform at The Guard's Chapel on Birdcage Walk in London at 18:00 as part of The Household Division Music Festival but marking Armed Forces Day 2018.
To see more of the Household Division Music Festival programme 2018 please look at the programe on the page link below:
Household Division Music Festival Programme of Concerts and Recitals 2018
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Jun 29, 2018
Lowestoft
The Band of the Irish Guards
The Band of the Irish Guards will perform at Lowestoft's 2018 Armed Forces Day celebrations.
In its 13th year we are pleased to bring you the original and Longest running Armed Forces Day in Suffolk.
​There will be incredible arena displays from the Band of the Irish Guards, Norwich Pipe Band The USAF, Air Cadets, Army Cadets, Sea Cadets, Salvation Army and our serving Armed Forces and much more to be announced.
Jun 29, 2018
Edinburgh
The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland
The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland will perform in St Andrew's Square, Edinburgh as part of Scotland's Capital City's 2018 Armed Forces Day celebrations.
A parade of serving personnel and veterans will set off from Charlotte Square and make their way along George Street to St Andrew Square Gardens.
In St Andrew's Square will be entertainment all afternoon preceding the parade.
Jun 29, 2018
Rotherham
The Band of the Royal Armoured Corps
The Band of the Royal Armoured Corps will lead Rotherham's 2018 Armed Forces Day Parade from the Town Hall on Saturday June 30th. The Band of the South Yorkshire Police will also be at the event.
Other entertainment will be a Dame Vera Lynn tribute act and Rotherham PCSO Paul Newman singing.
A Lancaster Bomber is also planned to complete a flypast at this years AFD event.
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The band will also play a concert in York Minster at 19:00 on Saturday 30th.
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Jun 29, 2018
Chatham, Medway
The Band of the Royal Corps of Engineers
The Band of the Royal Corps of Engineers will be supporting Enjoy Medway's 2018 Armed Forces Day celebrations at the Great Lines Heritage Park in Chatham on Saturday 30th June.
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The Band of the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment will then be leading the PWRR through the streets of Chatham to mark the freedom of the borough of Kent and Medway to the regiment. The parade starts at 11:00.
Jun 29, 2018
The National Memorial Arboretum, Stafford
The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals
The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals will be supporting the 2018 Armed Forces Day celebrations at the National Memorial Arboretum'in Stafford on Saturday 30th June and Sunday 1st July.
There will also be flypasts from iconic aircraft, to our Armed Forces Day parade and family activities, there will be lots to entertain the whole family during the entire weekend.
Jun 29, 2018
Cleethorpes
The Band of the RAF College
The Band of the RAF College will lead North East Linconshire's 2018 Armed Forces Day Parade in Cleethorpes. Also performing will be The North East Linconshire Pipe Band.
The timings for the day are as follow:
12:30 Parade musters on Grant Street
13:00 - Parade steps off led by The Band of the RAF College
1500 – Remembrance Gate, RAF College Band
1600 – Remembrance Gate, NE Lincs Pipe Band
1630 – Remembrance Gate, All For One Choir
1830 – Remembrance Gate, Sea Cadet Band – Sunset Parade
2230 – Promenade, Firework Display to Music
From 1700 to 2230 enetrtainment by bands, choirs and musical theatre at the Remebrance Gate exact details still to be confirmed. A display by The Blades and a flypast from the BBMF Dakota is also planned but the times are to be confirmed. We may also have a surprise appearance of a local celebrity.
Jun 29, 2018
Plymouth Hoe
The Band of HM Royal Marines Plymouth
The Band of HM Royal Marines Plymouth will perform at this year's Armed Forces Day event in Plymouth on Saturday 30th June.
The band will be playing first at 09:30 supporting the RAF and Allied Air Forces Memorial Service in the event's main arena. At 12:30 The band will then lead The RM Volunteer Cadet Corps (RMVCC) through the City of Plymouth for a freedom of the city parade. To end the day, between 1805 - 2230 the band will play on the main stage for an evening concert.
There will also be performances by The City of Plymouth Pipe Band, tr-service field gun competition and Air Displays.
For more information please visit the event's website:
https://www.plymoutharmedforcesday.co.uk/
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Jun 29, 2018
Taunton
The Band of HM Royal Marines Commando Training Center
The Band of HM Royal Marines Commando Training Center will lead 40 Royal Marine Commandos through Taunton to be granted the Freedom of Taunton.
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The parade will begin at 11:00, with events in the town from 09:00.
The event will also feature a flypast by a Royal Naval Helicopter and will be celebrating 35 years of Norton Mannor Camp.
Jun 29, 2018
Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth
The Band of HM Royal Marines School of Music
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard welcomes you to our Armed Forces Day celebration. The dockyard will be full of live music, military vehicles and an array of Armed Forces servicemen and women.
The Band of HM Royal Marines School of Music will be performing a marching display outside HMS Victory in The Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth on Saturday 30th June at 13:00.
The event is free, but you must have an entrance ticket To Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, which if you buy now, you can get a 20% reduction on ticket prices.
For more information please follow the link below:
​http://www.historicdockyard.co.uk/events-by-date/event/1190-armed-forces-day
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Jun 29, 2018
Ramsgate
The Central Band of the Royal Air Force
The Central Band of the Royal Air Force will lead Ramsgate's Armed Forces Day Parade at 15:00 from The Sailor's Church towards Wetherspoons for a Drumhead Service and Hymns at The Royal Harbor, Ramsgate.
For more information:
https://www.ramsgatetown.org/things-to-do/ramsgate-events/events?p=1044657
Jun 29, 2018
Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, Purleigh, Chelmsford
The Band of the Army Air Corps
Held in conjunction with Maldon District Coucil, this Armed Forces Day commemoration is held at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome – the largest original untouched Great War aerodrome.
This year we are pleased to have active participation from Colchester Garrison, who will be bringing along various exhibits and the Army Air Corps Band.
Visitors will be able to enjoy seeing military exhibits and aircraft from the Great War through to modern day Armed Forces.
Free admission to the event that will run from 10:00 till 16:00.
Jun 29, 2018
Dacorum
The Band of the Royal Yeomanry
The Band of the Royal Yeomanry will perform at Dacorum's Armed Forces Day held at Gadebridge Park.
The event will also mark the centenary of the end of the first world war.
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The band will perform in the main arena between 13:00 - 13:25 and again between 16:10 - 16:30.
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The RAF Halton Military Wives Choir and Portsmouth Action Field Gun - Cadet Crew among other attractions will be performing.
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For more information please visit the website below:
https://www.dacorum.gov.uk/home%5Ccommunity-living/armed-forces-covenant
Jun 29, 2018
Reading
The Waterloo Band and Bugles of the Rifles
The Waterloo Band and Bugles of the Rifles will perform at Reading's Armed Forces Day celebrations 2018.
The band will perform throughout the day on the bandstand.
Jun 29, 2018
Manchester
The Lancashire Artillery Band
The day starts with The Lancashire Artillery Band playing in St Peter's Square from 11am, followed by a march past at 11.30am, complete with a spectacular ceremonial firing of guns.
Jun 29, 2018
Kimberley, Broxtowe
The Nottinghamshire Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers
The Nottinghamshire Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers will lead soldiers and veterans from 170 (Infrastructure Support) Engineer Group through Kimberley Town Center at 11:00 on Saturday 30th June for Armed Forces Day 2018.
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Jun 29, 2018
Preston
The Band and Corps of Drums of The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment
The Band and Corps of Drums of The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment will lead The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment through Preston for a freedom parade, also marking Armed Forces Day on Saturday 30th June 2018.
The parade will step of at 11:00 and the band will perform at 12:00 in Preston's Flag Market.
Jun 29, 2018
Stirling
The Highland and Lowland Bands of the Royal Regiment of Scotland
The Highland and Lowland Bands of the Royal Regiment of Scotland will perform at 2018's Stirling Military Show as part of Stirling's Armed Forces Day celebrations in King's Park.
At 12:00 the parade will step off and after marching around Stirling it will arrive at King;s Park at 12:30 before entering the arena at 13:00 and an inspection takes place before a march past at 13:00.
Other highlights are to include a parachute Display by The Red Devils, Parachute Regiment at 12:40, a display by the 7SCOTS Pipes and Drums at 13:45 before a Beating Retreat by the combined bands at 16:15.
Jun 29, 2018
Peterborough
The Band of the Royal Anglian Regiment
The Band of the Royal Anglian Regiment will perform at the 2018 Armed Forces Day Celebrations in Peterborough!
Jun 30, 2018
Brighton
The Band of the Welsh Guards
The Band of the Welsh Guards will play at this year's Armed Forces Day celebrations in Brighton. The Salvation Army Band will also be performing.
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Entry to the event that runs from 10:30 until 16:00 is free and the location is as follows:
Blind Veterans UK, Greenways, Ovingdean, BN2 7BS
Jun 30, 2018
New Milton
The Band and Bugles of The Rifles
The Band and Bugles of The Rifles will be performing at New Milton's 2018 Armed Forces Day celebrations on Sunday 1st July.
Jun 30, 2018
Southport
The Band of the King's Division
The Band of the King's Division will lead Southport's Armed Forces Day parade at 11:00 after a drumhead service at 10:00.
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There will also be modern and vintage military vehicles in front of the Atkinson. Army, Air and Sea cadets & their band, along with the military vehicles. There will also be vintage live music from the George Formby Band, including The United Voices Choir, The Just Voices Choir, The Ukulele Minstrels,
Living history group WW2 British Medical Aid Post One is one of the static displays and The Cheshire Home guard group.
Jun 30, 2018
Folkestone
The Band of the Band of the Royal Corps of Engineers
The Band of the Band of the Royal Corps of Engineers will be supporting Folkestone's 2018 Armed Forces Day celebrations in the Clifton Gardens, The Leas. The day will include a formal parade, military show and entertainment.
The day begins at 10:00 until 16:30 with entertainment commencing at 11:00
Other military displays are to include:
– 3PWRR ‘The Tigers’ Parachute Display
– Royal Gurkha Regiment weapons display and recruitment stand
– Combined Bands of the Folkestone & Hythe Sea Cadets
– MOD vehicles
– Kukri Knife display
– Battle of Britain Experience
– Spitfire, Hurricane & ME109 Aircraft Static Displays
– Military show
– Tug o’ War between Cadets
– Air Cadets
– Formal parade
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Also in Folkstone that day, ​The Central Band of the RAF will be performing at 13:30 at Capel-le-Ferne in Folkstone for Battle of Britain Memorial Day 2018 on Sunday 1st July.
Jun 30, 2018
Darlington
The Royal Signals (Northern) Band
The Royal Signals (Northern) Band will play at the Bandstand in South Park, Darlington for a special Armed Forcxes Day Proms in the Park in Darlington on Sunday July 1st.
The Pipes and Drums from 102 Battalion REME and The Central and East Yorks ATC Sector Band will also be performing alongside the band and the Darlington Eurovision Choir.
Entry is free and the concert starts at 15:00.
For further details phone - 01325 406 990
Jun 30, 2018
Cleethorpes
The Band of the RAF College
The Band of the RAF College will lead a special parade to mark the Royal Air Forces's Centenary alongside The RAF Waddington Pipe Band and Air Cadet Bands as part of The North East Lincolnshire's Armed Forces Celebratory Weekend.
The timings for the day are as follow:
12:30 - Parade assembles on Grant Street
13:00 - Parade steps off
14:15 - RAF College Band performance at he Remembrance Gate
15:15 - RAF Waddington Pipes and Drums performance at The Remembrance Gate
Between 1400 to 1800 On the Seafront there will be flying displays by The Strikemaster, Spitfire, CAP 232, Catalina, Dakota flypast and finishing with The Red Arrows
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