Armed Forces Day 2026

Sailors on ship flight deck

Armed Forces Day is a national celebration held every year to show support for the Armed Forces community. It honors serving troops, reservists, service families, veterans and cadets. 

This year, Armed Forces Day falls on Saturday 27 June. It concludes a week of events and activities across the country.

Join us for a community celebration

Join us for a free afternoon of music and entertainment to mark Armed Forces Day!

When: Saturday 20 June, from midday until 5pm

Where: Bond Square, The Lexicon (between Marks and Spencers and Waitrose)

Parade

The event will start with an parade that will make its way through the town centre, led by the Reading Scottish Pipe Band and passing through The Lexicon.

The parade will give Salute to Berkshire Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Graham Barker Esq. MStJ DL, outside Bracknell Town Council office. 

It will start at approximately 11:45am from Princess Square and end in Bond Square, with a final song from the band. 

The parade:

  • will follow a flat and accessible route
  • is step-free, fully accessible and disability friendly
  • is accessible on foot, by ramp and a lift

At midday, Vice Lord-Lieutenant Graham Barker Esq. MStJ DL will give an official welcome in Bond Square.

Programme of events

The live entertainment programme features:

  • midday: Blue Sky Big Band, performing traditional swing, popular jazz and even some rock and roll
  • 1pm: Artemis Studios with a special showcase
  • 2pm: Vocalese, hosting a community sing-a-long
  • 2.30pm: Moving songs from The Sandhurst Military Wives Choir
  • 3pm: The Candy Girls, performing classics from the 1940s and 1950s and modern chart hits which have been given a retro makeover

During the day, you'll hear from military personnel, army cadets, and a reservist. 

Three women dancing wearing navy blue vintage 1940s suits

The Army Welfare Service Youth Voice will also share their 'Beyond the Uniform' campaign, giving an inspiring insight into what it's like to be a child of army parents.

There’s lots of family fun during the day, including:

  • over 20 stalls to engage with
  • a bar provided by Musica who will be serving brews from Siren Brewery as well as a range of non-alcoholic beverages
  • free facepainting
  • meet and greets with the people who make up our armed forces
  • engaging insight into the history of Bracknell during moments of conflict
  • a community art project open to all

There’s something for everyone, from cadet activities to military vehicles. 

Stalls

The Army Cadets are a community built on adventure, resilience, and opportunity.

Through structured training, team challenges and leadership experiences, leaders help young people gain lifelong skills. Their work extends beyond activities in uniform.

Their mission is grounded in safety, personal growth and inclusivity for all cadets, volunteers, and staff.

Visit the stall to learn:

  • more about Army Cadets and volunteer opportunities
  • CPR
  • the differences between DofE and Fieldcraft kit
  • how to use camouflage cream

You could be embark on an adventure, develop valuable skills and build lifelong friendships.

Find out what it’s like being an air cadet and get information on adult volunteering opportunities.

Access Able helps disabled people, older people and anyone with specific access needs, plan visits with confidence.

They also offer information on:

  • step-free access
  • parking
  • toilets
  • seating
  • lighting
  • sensory environments

The Army Welfare Service offers confidential support to soldiers and their families. They help with personal, emotional and practical challenges during military life.

Their youth group will also be in attendance to support Friends of Sandhurst School with their bake sale and community art project. They welcome you to ask them about their experiences as the child of an army parent.

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) is the UK’s oldest national tri-service military charity. SSAFA provide direct support to individuals in need of physical or emotional care.

Visit us to find out more about:

  • the Armed Forces Covenant
  • the Civilian Military Partnership
  • signposting to support services

The group produces information panels at sites of historic interest in Bracknell. They also act as a pressure group for improving and recognising historical features in the town.

They believe that a sense of local history improves pride in Bracknell and promotes a sense of community and social cohesion.

The group is made up of:

  • councillors
  • officers of The Bracknell Forest Society
  • the local studies librarian

The group will be hosting displays and running a quiz trail.

The Bracknell Royal British Legion supports veterans, service personnel and their families. They do this through fundraising, remembrance activities and welfare support in the local Bracknell community.

Learn how the Bracknell Royal Navel Association maintains its naval ethos and core values. These are centred on the Seven Cs of Comradeship:

  • community
  • connection
  • commemoration
  • care
  • compassion
  • companionship
  • celebration

Learn how they enjoy sharing experiences with like-minded people and support each other in times of need.

Come and add your handprint and creative touch to a community art project that shows our action, support and gratitude to our armed forces. The finished piece will be put on display in the public areas of Bracknell Forest Council.

The Defence Sikh Network supports Sikh personnel and promotes awareness of Sikh service, heritage and inclusion across defence.

Friends of Sandhurst School will be selling homemade baked goods. All money raised will support the Sandhurst School Parent Teacher Association. This helps raise funds for Sandhurst Secondary School.

Come along and have a chat to learn how Happiness Hub and Mental Health Recovery Network can support your mental health and wellbeing.

Home Start Bracknell Forest is a local family support charity dedicated to helping parents give their children the best possible start in life. They aim to help children grow up in safe, nurturing and positive home environments.

The organisation works alongside families facing challenges such as isolation, mental health difficulties and financial hardship. They achieve this through:

  • compassionate volunteer support
  • family groups
  • practical assistance
  • community connections

Visit their stall for child-focused crafts, including temporary tattoos and bracelet-making.

Involve supports community connection by helping people:

  • access local services
  • find warm and welcoming places
  • get involved in community life

They also offer a range of adult volunteering opportunities, ideal for armed forces members. They focus on building skills, increasing confidence and fostering local connections.

Pilgrim Hearts is a Bracknell-based Christian charity and community group that supports people experiencing homelessness or hardship. They give practical help, outreach and compassionate care.

Reading Force are a charity that supports serving personnel and veterans. They encourage shared reading to strengthen family connections during periods of separation.

Find out about life at the British Army’s initial officer training centre. Learn how they prepare future leaders through military, academic and leadership development programmes.

Smokefreelife Berkshire gives free support to help residents quit smoking. They offer:

  • expert advice
  • personalised plans
  • access to stop‑smoking aids

Ways into Work is partnering with Palladium and Breakthrough on the Connect to Work Project in Berkshire.

Ex-service personnel and their families can get free one-to-one support through the Connect to Work Programme to help them find and keep paid jobs.

Celebrate in your community

We encourage you to take part in Armed Forces Day by attending local events, flying a flag or simply taking a moment to thank those who serve.

The Armed Forces Flag will be flown at the council’s Time Square office and the office will be lit up in red, white and blue.

You are also invited to:

  • a flag-raising ceremony at Sandhurst Memorial Park on Monday 22 June
  • an Armed Forces Day event at Binfield Community Centre from midday on Saturday 27 June
  • Crowthorne Armed Forces celebration dance on Saturday 27 June, 7pm to 11pm, at the Royal British Legion Club, Wellington Road, Crowthorne
Two veterans talking and smiling

Support for the Armed Forces community

We offer a range of support services for veterans, serving personnel and their families. Find out more on our webpages:

Bracknell Forest and the Armed Forces

We take pride in our strong ties to the Armed Forces. We have a close relationship with the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. We also actively participate in the Civilian Military Partnership. This partnership unites local services, charities, and public bodies. Its goal is to support the Armed Forces community and make sure they are treated fairly.

We are proud to have achieved silver status in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. We are committed to supporting veterans, reservists, and military families in our workforce and community.

Bracknell Forest is proud to be home to the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS). RMAS a world-renowned institution that plays a vital role in shaping the future leaders of the British Army and allied forces. It brings with it a rich heritage of excellence, discipline, and service, which aligns closely with the values of our borough.

Its presence:

  • enhances our community’s identity
  • fosters strong civil-military relationships
  • contributes to local pride and cohesion

We are honoured to support and celebrate the Academy’s role in national and international defence. We value the positive impact it has on our residents, economy, and cultural life.

More information

Why we are holding this event early

Bracknell Forest Armed Forces Day takes place on Saturday 20 June, ahead of national celebrations in Aldershot on 27 June and Armed Forces Week.

Holding it earlier prevents a clash with national celebrations. This means more military units, organisations and stallholders can attend.

This helps create a well-supported and inclusive event, giving residents the best chance to engage with and support the armed forces community.

Parking

There are several car parks, including those with accessible parking spaces, within easy reach of Bond Square. Find out more information about car parking.

Public transport

The Lexicon is easily reached using all forms of public transport. Once you are in The Lexicon, head towards The Avenue or Eagle Lane, and you’ll be able to follow the music from there. If you are coming by taxi, the closest drop-off point is at Waitrose.

Children must be supervised

This is a family-friendly event, but we do ask that young children be supervised at all times.

Pet policy

Dogs are welcome on site. However, the event can be noisy and there is limited shelter, so discretion is advised.

Dress code

This is an outdoor event, so please dress appropriately for the weather conditions.

Photography

We will have a photographer and a videographer on-site to take photos and film the event. These photos will be used for communications and marketing purposes by:

  • Bracknell Forest Council
  • The Lexicon
  • other partners involved in running Bracknell Forest Armed Forces Day

There will be photo release forms available on the day should these be needed.

Thank you to our supporters

We’d like to extend our thanks to Bracknell Town Council and The Lexicon, our headline sponsors.

Additional support to bring this event has been provided by:

The event has also been made possible thanks to the Armed Forces Day Grant Fund.

We would also like to thank all the community organisations, support services and organisation stall holders who have volunteered their time to host a stall.

Learn about the role of reservists and their families in our communities

Websites

Visit these websites to:

Museums

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