Armed Forces Day 2018: events in London and around the UK

Britain remembers and honours the UK’s military community
both past and present on Armed Forces Day, held every year on the
final Saturday of June.

Events take place across the country to mark and celebrate
the special day, which was launched in 2006 as Veterans’ Day,
before being renamed three years later in order
to include serving personnel.

This year the keynote National Event is being held in Llandudno,
in North Wales, but there are a range of other celebrations planned
nationwide.

Here are some of the highlights of the 2018 Armed Forces
Day:

National Event – Armed Forces Day in
Llandundo 

Llandudno Promenade, from 11am

Up to 250,000 people are expected to head to Llandudno, in
Conwy, to take part in this year’s National Event. The programme of events
includes fly-pasts by the RAF’s Red Arrows and the Battle of
Britain Memorial Flight team, which features classic planes such as
a Lancaster bomber, Spitfires and Hurricanes.

Manchester Armed Forces Day

St Peter’s Square, Manchester, from 10am

The Manchester Armed Forces Day offers fun
activities for families ranging from military vehicle
displays, and the opportunity to try on military kit and have a go
at radio communications with the Military Veterans Museum UK,
to a climbing wall and face painting. There are also a variety of
food and drink stalls.

Edinburgh Armed Forces Day 2018

St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, from 11am

The Edinburgh Armed Forces Day event consists of a
parade of serving personnel and veterans, who set off from
Charlotte Square and make their way along George Street to St
Andrew Square Gardens. Short speeches by the Lord Provost and
representatives from the Armed Forces and veterans are followed by
various forms of entertainment including military exhibitions and
charity displays.

Green Jacket Army Veterans Armed Forces Day –
Liverpool 

Old Ropery, Liverpool, from 1pm

Festivities in Liverpool will be running day all
afternoon and into the night, with food, live entertainment and a
disco for the whole community.

Birmingham Armed Forces Day 

Shenley Lane, Birmingham, from 12pm

In Birmingham, commemorations start
with a parade at Weoley Castle Square, featuring representatives
from veteran associations, serving personnel, cadets and the West
Midland Fire Brigade band. Entertainment and activities include
bouncy castles, face painting and displays of military
memorabilia. 

Armed Forces Day at the National Army Museum

Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, from 10am

Join the National Army Museum to celebrate Armed Forces
Day with tours and entertainment for all ages. All activities
are free and there’s no need to book.

Royal Greenwich Get Together Festival

The Warren Royal Arsenal Riverside, Greenwich, from
12pm

The Royal Greenwich Get Together Festival and Armed
Forces Day event promises to be a family-friendly celebration
of culture, music, health and fitness, and the local community.