Armed Forces Day 2025 falls on Saturday, 28 June, with events scheduled across the United Kingdom from 22 to 29 June. This annual occasion provides an opportunity to recognise and honour the contribution of serving personnel, veterans, and their families. The national host location for 2025 is Cleethorpes in North East Lincolnshire, where the country’s largest Armed Forces Day celebration will unfold over three days.
Communities throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland typically mark Armed Forces Day with parades, flying displays, military vehicle exhibitions, and community activities. The official event finder at armedforcesday.org.uk provides a searchable database for those seeking celebrations in their local area, though the level of detail available for individual events varies considerably depending on local organisers.
This guide presents verified information about planned events, their locations, and what attendees can expect. Where information remains limited or unconfirmed, this is clearly indicated.
Armed Forces Day 2025 UK
Armed Forces Day has been observed in the United Kingdom since 2009, following the example set by the United States in 2007. The event grew from Armed Forces Week, which itself evolved from Victory in Europe Day commemorations. Today, the observance serves as a formal occasion to express gratitude to currently serving members of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force, as well as reservists, veterans, and their families.
Cleethorpes hosts the national Armed Forces Day 2025 event on 27-29 June 2025. The event runs from midday on Friday through to 5pm on Sunday, with the main celebration day on Saturday 28 June.
Late June 2025 (27-29)
Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire
Saturday 28 June 2025
22-28 June 2025
Key facts about Armed Forces Day 2025
- Saturday, 28 June 2025 serves as the nationally designated Armed Forces Day, with the surrounding week (22-28 June) observing Armed Forces Week
- Cleethorpes in North East Lincolnshire holds national hosting duties for 2025, marking a significant return to larger-scale national events following years of scaled-back programmes
- The Cleethorpes event spans three days (27-29 June), making it one of the longest-running regional celebrations
- Plymouth anticipates approximately 45,000 attendees for its event at The Hoe on Saturday, 28 June
- Portsmouth’s main Armed Forces Day event is listed for 20 June 2026, though the city holds smaller commemorations during the 2025 national weekend
- Weston-super-Mare’s combined Armed Forces and Emergency Services Day is scheduled for 2026
- No Armed Forces Day 2025 events were identified in sources for London or Northern Ireland
| Location | Dates | Key highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Cleethorpes (National Host) | 27-29 June 2025 | Largest free event on the east coast, Red Arrows display, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, 100+ carnival floats |
| Plymouth | 28 June 2025 | 45,000 expected attendees, Junior Field Gun, 100+ charities, military vehicles, hands-on displays |
| Portsmouth (2026 main event) | 20 June 2026 | Battle of Britain Memorial Spitfire, parachute display, Junior Field Gun; 2025 activities limited to flag ceremonies |
| Portsmouth 2025 activities | 23 and 27 June 2025 | Flag raising ceremonies at Guildhall and St Mary’s Hospital |
| Weston-super-Mare | 2026 (date TBC) | Combined Armed Forces and Emergency Services Day |
Armed Forces Day 2025 UK Events
The landscape of Armed Forces Day 2025 events across the United Kingdom presents a mixed picture. While certain locations have published detailed programmes and confirmed timings, others remain largely undocumented in publicly available sources.
The Ministry of Defence officially observes Armed Forces Week from 22 to 28 June 2025, with the main Armed Forces Day falling on Saturday, 28 June. This week-long period allows local authorities, military units, and veteran charities to schedule their own commemorations at times that suit their communities.
Finding events near you
The official Armed Forces Day event finder remains the primary resource for locating celebrations across the United Kingdom. The database relies on local authorities and event organisers to register their activities, meaning coverage varies by region.
For those unable to attend physical events, many communities stream their celebrations online or share highlights through social media platforms. The Armed Forces Day website offers basic information about event types and expected attendance figures, though comprehensive programme details are not always published centrally.
Timings and programme details are subject to change. The Cleethorpes event explicitly advises visitors to check afmet.co.uk or the official Facebook page for the latest updates before attending.
Types of activities available
Armed Forces Day events typically feature a recognisable range of activities designed to engage both military personnel and civilian visitors. These commonly include static displays of military vehicles and equipment, marching bands and parades, flying displays by military aircraft, and interactive demonstrations.
Community stages feature local entertainment including choirs, marching bands, and children’s activities. Charity stalls and veteran support organisations also attend, providing information about available services and opportunities for public engagement with military-affiliated causes.
Armed Forces Day 2025 Near Me
The search for local Armed Forces Day events relies primarily on the official event finder, local council announcements, and social media updates from military units or veteran charities operating in specific areas. No comprehensive national calendar with detailed programme information has been published centrally.
Regional variations in event programming mean that the experience available to visitors can differ substantially depending on their location. Larger urban centres such as Plymouth typically offer more extensive programming, while smaller towns may limit their observances to a brief ceremony or parade.
Regional availability
Based on available sources, confirmed Armed Forces Day 2025 activities are most readily identified for Cleethorpes and Plymouth. Portsmouth has scheduled its main event for 2026, with only limited activities confirmed for the 2025 national weekend.
For London, sources indicate no specific Armed Forces Day 2025 events have been identified. Northern Ireland similarly lacks documented activities for 2025. This does not preclude informal or smaller-scale commemorations occurring, but such events are not reflected in the major event databases.
Those searching for events are advised to contact their local council or search for local veteran charities, which may publicise observances through channels not captured in national databases.
Armed Forces Day 2025 Cleethorpes
Cleethorpes in North East Lincolnshire serves as the national host for Armed Forces Day 2025, marking one of the most significant celebrations in the event’s calendar. The town has previously hosted national events and brings considerable experience to organising large-scale military commemorations.
Event locations
The Cleethorpes event occupies multiple venues across the town, with key locations including Sea Road, Meridian Showground, Grant Street, and the Brighton Slipway. Meridian Park also features in the programme, serving as a venue for Sunday activities.
Friday 27 June programme
- 12:00 noon — Community Stage opens at Armed Forces Remembrance Gate featuring local choirs and community groups
- 18:00 — Armed Forces Community Carnival with more than 100 floats proceeding from the top of Sea Road down Alexandra Road and Kings Parade to the leisure centre
Saturday 28 June programme
- 11:00 — Parade of military vehicles and motorcycles from the top of Grant Street
- 11:30 — Main parade featuring military bands, serving forces, veterans, and cadets proceeding to Brighton Slipway
- 12:30 — Red Arrows aerial display
- 13:00-15:50 — Community Stage entertainment including performances by the Grimsby/Cleethorpes Pipe Band at 15:55
- 15:00 — Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
- 16:20 — RAF Typhoon display (subsequently cancelled)
The RAF Typhoon display scheduled for 16:20 on Saturday 28 June has been cancelled. Visitors should verify remaining flying display times through official channels before attending.
Sunday 29 June programme
- 10:30 — Events open, including activities at Meridian Park
- 15:00-16:30 — Flying displays featuring Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and Typhoon aircraft
- 17:00 — Event closes
The event is explicitly promoted as the largest free event on the east coast. All timings remain subject to change, and the official advice is to check afmet.co.uk or the event’s Facebook presence for updates.
Armed Forces Day 2025 Plymouth and Other Locations
Plymouth holds one of the most prominent Armed Forces Day celebrations outside of the national host location. The event takes place at The Hoe (PL1 2PA) on Saturday, 28 June 2025, running from 10am to 10:30pm.
Plymouth Armed Forces Day
The Plymouth event anticipates approximately 45,000 attendees, making it one of the largest regional celebrations. The programme includes an arena and stage area, formal parades, hands-on military displays, static exhibitions of military vehicles, and live demonstrations.
The Junior Field Gun competition features as a centrepiece attraction, with more than 100 charities and military organisations expected to maintain stalls throughout the venue. The event benefits from partnership with Babcock, an aerospace and defence company.
While a detailed timetable has not been published in available sources, the extended operating hours from 10am until 10:30pm indicate a substantial entertainment programme beyond the core military displays.
Portsmouth arrangements
Portsmouth’s primary Armed Forces Day event is listed for 20 June 2026 on Southsea Common, meaning 2025 visitors should temper expectations for large-scale celebrations in the city this year. However, smaller commemorations are scheduled during the national weekend.
On Monday, 23 June 2025, a flag raising ceremony takes place at Portsmouth Guildhall, with assembly at 9:20am and the ceremony commencing at 9:30am. On Friday, 27 June, a further flag raising event combined with poetry and singing runs from 10:30am to 12pm at St Mary’s Hospital (PO3 6AD).
Neighbouring areas hold their own activities during the same period. Gosport stages an event on 23 or 28 June, while the Isle of Wight schedules its observance for 29 June.
Other locations
Weston-super-Mare’s combined Armed Forces and Emergency Services Day is confirmed for 2026, with the date remaining unspecified. This represents a shift from the town’s previous programming patterns.
No Armed Forces Day 2025 events were identified in sources for London or Northern Ireland. This does not definitively indicate the absence of events, but rather that nothing has been documented in the major databases or official announcements reviewed for this article.
Armed Forces Day 2025 Events Timeline
The following timeline presents confirmed dates and activities for Armed Forces Day 2025 based on publicly available information from official sources.
- 22-28 June 2025 — Armed Forces Week, observed nationally (source: Ministry of Defence)
- 23 June 2025 — Portsmouth flag raising at Guildhall, 9:30am ceremony
- 27 June 2025 — Cleethorpes events begin at noon; Armed Forces Community Carnival at 6pm; Portsmouth flag raising at St Mary’s Hospital 10:30am-12pm
- 28 June 2025 — Nationally designated Armed Forces Day; Cleethorpes main day with Red Arrows display; Plymouth event at The Hoe, 10am-10:30pm
- 29 June 2025 — Cleethorpes final day, events until 5pm; Isle of Wight Armed Forces Day
This timeline represents a condensed view of the national programme. Additional events may be scheduled at local level without appearing in national databases.
What We Know and Don’t Know About Armed Forces Day 2025
Transparency about what information is confirmed and what remains uncertain helps readers make informed decisions about event attendance and planning.
| Established information | Uncertain or unavailable |
|---|---|
| Nationally designated Armed Forces Day: Saturday, 28 June 2025 | Complete national event list — the official finder exists but comprehensive coverage is not confirmed |
| Armed Forces Week: 22-28 June 2025 | Detailed timetables for many regional events beyond Cleethorpes and Plymouth |
| National host: Cleethorpes, 27-29 June | Specific activities and events in London, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland |
| Cleethorpes programme details including Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and parade routes | Comprehensive maps for any event location |
| Plymouth event at The Hoe on 28 June with 45,000 expected attendees | Plymouth detailed programme timetable |
| Portsmouth main event scheduled for 20 June 2026 | RAF Typhoon display status beyond the cancelled Cleethorpes slot |
| Weston-super-Mare Armed Forces & Emergency Services Day in 2026 | Whether any London events occur in 2025 at all |
Understanding Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day originated in the United States in 2007, with the United Kingdom adopting the concept two years later in 2009. The observance grew from earlier traditions of Armed Forces Week, which itself traced heritage to post-World War Two commemorations.
The event serves multiple purposes. It provides formal recognition of the armed forces’ role in national defence, offers veterans acknowledgment of their service, and creates an opportunity for communities to engage with serving personnel. The public nature of the celebrations encourages dialogue between military and civilian populations.
Each year, a different location receives national hosting duties, rotating the focus of the largest celebrations. This arrangement allows various regions to showcase their connections to military history while distributing the economic benefits of large-scale events. Cleethorpes has hosted on multiple previous occasions.
Key Sources and Official Information
Several official channels provide authoritative information about Armed Forces Day 2025 activities:
The Ministry of Defence officially observes Armed Forces Week from 22 to 28 June 2025, with Armed Forces Day falling on Saturday 28 June.
Cleethorpes hosts the national Armed Forces Day event on 27-29 June 2025, featuring the largest free event on the east coast with parades, carnivals, flying displays, and military vehicles.
The official Armed Forces Day event finder remains the primary searchable resource for locating celebrations across the United Kingdom. Local authority websites, particularly those of North East Lincolnshire Council, provide the most detailed information about the national host event.
Finding Armed Forces Day 2025 Events Near You
Those seeking events in their local area should begin with the official Armed Forces Day event finder, which provides a searchable database of registered celebrations. For additional financial guidance, readers may find it useful to review our coverage of DWP News Cost of Living – No 2026 Payments, Benefit Rates Rise for broader context on household budgeting during the summer period.
Regional event information can also be obtained through local council websites, veteran charity offices, and social media channels maintained by military units. The Cleethorpes event maintains updates through its official Facebook presence and the AFMET website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What dates is Armed Forces Day 2025?
Nationally, Armed Forces Day 2025 falls on Saturday, 28 June. However, celebrations run from 22-29 June as Armed Forces Week, with the national host event in Cleethorpes spanning 27-29 June.
How do I find Armed Forces Day 2025 events near me?
The official event finder at armedforcesday.org.uk provides a searchable database. Local council websites and social media channels for military units also publish event information.
Is there an Armed Forces Day 2025 airshow?
Yes. The Cleethorpes event features aerial displays including the Red Arrows (Saturday 28 June at 12:30) and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The RAF Typhoon display scheduled for Cleethorpes has been cancelled.
Where is the national Armed Forces Day 2025?
Cleethorpes in North East Lincolnshire hosts the national event on 27-29 June 2025, described as the largest free event on the east coast.
Are Armed Forces Day events free to attend?
Most regional events, including the national host in Cleethorpes, operate on a free admission basis. The Portsmouth 2026 event also specifies free entry with no tickets required.
What happened to the RAF Typhoon display?
The RAF Typhoon display scheduled for Cleethorpes on Saturday 28 June at 16:20 has been cancelled. Flying displays continue with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and other aircraft.
Is there an Armed Forces Day event in London in 2025?
No specific Armed Forces Day 2025 events in London were identified in available sources. This does not preclude informal commemorations.
When is Plymouth Armed Forces Day 2025?
Plymouth holds its event on Saturday, 28 June 2025, at The Hoe (PL1 2PA), from 10am to 10:30pm, with approximately 45,000 attendees expected.
Is Portsmouth Armed Forces Day in 2025 or 2026?
Portsmouth’s main Armed Forces Day event is scheduled for 20 June 2026 on Southsea Common. During the 2025 national weekend, only flag-raising ceremonies are confirmed.
What is the difference between Armed Forces Day and Armed Forces Week?
Armed Forces Week (22-28 June 2025) spans the full observance period, while Armed Forces Day (28 June 2025) marks the specific national day of celebration and recognition.
Henry William Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for NorwichWire.co.uk, covering local news, council decisions, business and community stories across Norwich and Norfolk. He works under Editor-in-Chief William Hargreaves and Managing Editor Clara Benson, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.