Name: Plymouth Armed Forces Day
Start: 2026-06-27T10:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-06-27
Location: Plymouth Hoe

Contents

Displays, parades and a flypast on Plymouth Hoe
Free family activities and live music into the evening
Armed Forces Week began with the city flag ceremony
Thursday triathlon also takes place on the Hoe

Plymouth Armed Forces Day returns to Plymouth Hoe on Saturday 27 June, with a free public programme from 10am.

The family-friendly Festival will bring military displays, equipment, demonstrations, parades, live music and support villages to the Hoe, alongside an RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast in the afternoon. Plymouth City Council has confirmed the event is open to the public and forms part of Armed Forces Week in the city.

Detail	Confirmed information
Event	Plymouth Armed Forces Day
Date	Saturday 27 June
Start time	10am
Venue	Plymouth Hoe, Plymouth
Price	Free
Audience	General public and families

Displays, parades and a flypast on Plymouth Hoe

The Saturday programme is being billed as an action-packed day on the Hoe, with interactive displays, military equipment, demonstrations, parades and live entertainment.

Visitors will also be able to see an afternoon flypast from the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, one of the confirmed highlights of the day.

Across the Hoe, dedicated “villages” will be set up for each Military Service, along with an Emergency Services village and a Veterans Village supported by the Royal British Legion. More than 100 charities and organisations are due to take part, offering advice, support and hands-on activities.

Car enthusiasts will also find vintage military vehicles on display, alongside a large display from the Murray Group.

Free family activities and live music into the evening

The event is designed for a broad public audience, including families. On the Hoe promenade, the Foster for Plymouth marquee will offer free family activities including glitter tattoos, popular characters and information about fostering in Plymouth.

Babcock International Group, which is supporting Armed Forces Day, will also bring hands-on STEM activities for all ages, along with information on career opportunities and apprenticeships linked to its Devonport facility.

Live music will run through the day before a free evening concert sponsored by C&G Catering. The confirmed evening line-up features Marmalade, The Vibes, Riviera Dogs and Authentic Elton.

Readers planning wider Armed Forces Day weekends may also find our guide to Scarborough Armed Forces Day useful for comparison, as it falls on the same date.

Armed Forces Week began with the city flag ceremony

Plymouth’s Armed Forces Week began on Monday 22 June with the Armed Forces Flag raised outside Plymouth Guildhall. The ceremony was attended by the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Kevin Sproston, Commander Maxine Burgess and other military and civic leaders.

The flag will fly all week while events take place across the city. Councillor Matt Smith, the council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, City Centre Regeneration and Events, said Plymouth was “incredibly proud” of its military history and Armed Forces based in the city.

Commander Maxine Burgess, HMNB Devonport Base Executive Officer, said Armed Forces Week celebrates the relationship between the Armed Forces based in and around Plymouth and the community that supports them.

Thursday triathlon also takes place on the Hoe

Before Saturday’s Armed Forces Day, visitors are being encouraged to watch the Strength of Spirit Games Rehabilitation Triathlon on Thursday 25 June, also on Plymouth Hoe.

That event starts at 10.30am with a swim at Tinside Lido, followed by cycling and a static row before athletes cross the finish line. For the third year running, the games will include the Plymouth School Sports Partnership Junior Rowing Challenge from 10am to 11.15am, with children from military families representing 24 local primary schools.

For the latest programme details for Plymouth Armed Forces Day and the Strength of Spirit Games, the council has directed residents to plymoutharmedforcesday.co.uk.

Source: Plymouth City Council