Free EventSouthport · 27–28 June 2026

Southport ArmedForces Festival

A free town-wide celebration of the armed forces across Southport's Promenade, King's Gardens, Princes Park, and town centre. Military parades, fly-overs, Drumhead Service, and vehicle displays. 27–28 June 2026.

What's On →Festival Locations

27–28 Jun

When

Saturday & Sunday

Town-wide

Where

Promenade to Lord Street

Free

Entry

No tickets required

2 Days

Duration

Full programme both days

Terry's Take

This One Matters More Than Usual in 2026

Southport has a genuine connection with the armed forces — Merseyside has always had strong military ties and you feel it in the town in a way that's not performative. The Armed Forces Festival on the Promenade is one of those events where the emotion is real. The Drumhead Service in particular — an open-air memorial service with serving personnel, veterans, and cadets — is worth attending even if you've never been to anything like it before.

The 2026 festival carries extra significance. Southport is bidding to host the full National Armed Forces Day in 2027 — which would be one of the UK's largest single-day events, potentially combined with the Air Show. The 2026 festival is essentially the proof-of-concept. The town wants to show it can do this at scale.

It's free, it spans the entire town, and it's one of those events where you genuinely feel proud of where you live. The Promenade is the main location for the parade and fly-overs. Get there early for a good position on the seafront.

What's On

Festival Programme

⛪

Drumhead Service

The traditional open-air armed forces memorial service. Conducted by military chaplains with serving personnel, veterans, cadets, and the public. One of the most moving events in the programme. Timings confirmed by Sefton Council ahead of the event.

🎺

Military Parade

Columns of serving personnel, veterans, and cadets marching along the Promenade. The seafront backdrop makes this one of the most impressive settings for a military parade in the North of England. The crowd lines both sides of the route.

✈️

Fly-Overs

Military aircraft fly-overs over the Promenade and seafront. Specific aircraft confirmed ahead of the event. The coastal approach gives a clear sky for the passes. The Promenade is the prime viewing location.

🚛

Vehicle Displays

Military vehicles on static display at Princes Park — armoured vehicles, trucks, and equipment. Hands-on elements for families. Military personnel on hand to answer questions. A particular draw for children.

🎭

Live Entertainment

Music and entertainment across the festival sites throughout both days. Military bands, community performances, and family activities. The full entertainment programme will be published by Sefton Council ahead of the event.

🎖️

Cadets & Veterans

Cadet forces from across Merseyside participate. Veterans' organisations have a prominent presence throughout the festival. The event is explicitly inclusive of all service eras — from veterans of earlier conflicts to those who served recently.

Where to Go

Festival Locations

The festival spans the whole of Southport — not a single venue. Here's what's where.

Main Parade

The Promenade

The main parade route. Thousands line the seafront to watch the military march past. The backdrop of the Irish Sea behind the columns of service personnel is genuinely moving.

Memorial Area

King's Gardens

Formal gardens adjacent to the Promenade — one of the key gathering points for the festival. Memorial service area and a natural focus point for veterans and family groups.

Vehicle Displays

Princes Park

Static display area for military vehicles, equipment, and interactive exhibits. Families with children tend to gravitate here — hands-on elements and military machinery up close.

Cultural Programme

The Atkinson

Southport's cultural centre on Lord Street plays a role in the programme — exhibitions and events related to armed forces heritage. Worth checking the specific programme for 2026.

Wider Festival

Town Centre

The wider town centre hosts additional entertainment, cadet displays, and community stalls throughout both days. The whole of Southport becomes part of the event rather than a single venue.

Looking Ahead

Southport Is Bidding for National Armed Forces Day 2027

The 2026 festival is Southport's proof-of-concept for hosting the full National Armed Forces Day in 2027 — one of the UK's largest single-day events. The ambition is to combine it with the Air Show for a major Bank Holiday weekend event. The 2026 festival is where that bid gets made or broken.

Southport Air Show guide — also Bank Holiday Weekend

Before You Go

Practical Information

Getting There

The Promenade (PR8 1RX) is the main hub for parade and fly-overs

By train: Southport station (Merseyrail from Liverpool), 15 min walk to Promenade

Town centre car parks: 10–15 min walk to King's Gardens and Princes Park

Marine Drive car park: on the Promenade — fills early on busy event weekends

Planning Tips

Full programme with timings published by Sefton Council ahead of the event

Promenade positions go early for the parade — arrive before the march begins

Princes Park vehicle displays are less crowded and more accessible for families

The Atkinson events inside may require tickets — check ahead at theatkinson.co.uk

Common Questions

Armed Forces Festival — FAQs

When is the Southport Armed Forces Festival 2026?

The Southport Armed Forces Festival 2026 takes place on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June 2026.

Is the Southport Armed Forces Festival free?

Yes — the Armed Forces Festival is a free town-wide event. There is no entry charge to attend the parades, fly-overs, vehicle displays, or entertainment across the Promenade, King's Gardens, Princes Park, and the town centre.

What happens at the Southport Armed Forces Festival?

The festival includes a Drumhead Service (the traditional open-air armed forces memorial service), military parades on the Promenade, fly-overs, static vehicle and equipment displays, live entertainment, cadet displays, and community events. It spans multiple locations across the town.

Is the Armed Forces Festival just for veterans?

Not at all — it's a community event for everyone. Veterans, service families, cadets, and members of the public are all welcome. It's a family-friendly event and many people attend purely for the spectacle of the parade and fly-overs.

Why is the 2026 festival significant?

The 2026 Armed Forces Festival is a proof-of-concept event supporting Southport's bid to host the full National Armed Forces Day in 2027. If the 2026 festival goes well, Southport hopes to host one of the UK's largest National Armed Forces Day celebrations the following year.

Will there be a fly-over at the Southport Armed Forces Festival?

Military fly-overs are part of the planned programme. The specific aircraft will be confirmed closer to the event. The Promenade is the best viewing location for fly-overs as the aircraft pass over the coast.

Where should I go for the Armed Forces Festival?

For the parade, the Promenade is the main location. For military vehicles and family-friendly interactive displays, Princes Park is the key area. For the Drumhead Service and memorial events, King's Gardens. The Atkinson on Lord Street also hosts related events. The full programme with timings will be published by Sefton Council ahead of the event.