All you need to know about Plymouth Armed Forces Day 2025

Plymouth Armed Forces Day, in association with Babcock, returns on Saturday, 28 June, offering a full day of family-friendly activities and a chance for everyone to show their support for the military community. 

Jump to: When and where is it | What to see and do | Accessibility Information | Food and drink | How to get to Armed Forces Day | Road closures  

Where and when is it? 

All the action takes place on Plymouth Hoe on Saturday 28 June 2025. 

The event opens at 10am until 5.15pm, with the free evening concert starting at 5.45pm until 10.30pm. 

What to see and do 

Meet the military and emergency services 

Visit the military villages to meet members of all the Armed Forces, explore their vehicles and equipment, and get careers advice.

Try hands-on experiences like the Royal Navy Dive Tank, Royal Marines’ Raiding Craft, RAF Cadets simulators, and the Army’s climbing wall. 

Don’t miss the Emergency Services area, featuring equipment from the Fire Service, Police, RNLI, Coastguard, and Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Plymouth. 

Be amazed at the arena 

There’s a packed arena programme to enjoy, with demonstrations, parades and live music. Watch the Parade of Standards led at 11am, all veterans are invited to join. 

For some thrilling action, watch the, RMVCC Drill Display, the REORG Ju Jitsu Demonstration and the Wheelchair Rugby Demonstration which are included in the entertainment for the afternoon.  

Don’t miss the exciting Junior Field Gun tournaments taking place throughout the day from their dedicated arena at the Elliot Street end of Plymouth Hoe. 

Find out more about what you can expect to see at Plymouth Armed Forces Day this year.  

Visit the Veterans’ Village 

The Veterans' Village is once again sponsored by the Royal British Legion Devon County and will host over 100 local charities and organisations, each offering information and advice to the serving members of our Armed Forces, veterans, and their families. 

Babcock International’s dynamic display 

Get hands-on with the Babcock team through a variety of Science Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) activities for all ages to enjoy. Visitors can also find out about the wide range of career opportunities available, see technology in action and much more! 

Entertainment for young children 

Visit pre-school activity sponsor, Foster for Plymouth located by the Royal Marines village will be providing lots of free fun  including glitter tattoos and appearances from very popular characters. 

Air demonstration 

From 4pm look to the skies for the air demonstration, including the Swordfish W5856 the oldest surviving airworthy Fairey Swordfish in the world. Also featuring in this year’s display is the Yak – 52 plan which is renowned for it’s acrobatic and he Royal Navy Black Cats Helicopters. 

On the ground you will be able to climb aboard the Merlin Mk 4 Helicopter which will be situated on the Hoe Promenade. On board you can chat to aircrew and engineers from 846 Naval Air Squadron and see what it’s like inside the cockpit.  

Listen to live music 

There will be musical performances from the main stage throughout the day, including performances from The Plymouth Youth Symphony Band, City of Plymouth Pipe Band, Military Wives Choir, and the Rock Choir among the performers.  

Then from 5.45pm, the main stage on Plymouth Hoe will host an amazing free evening concert, sponsored by C&G Catering. 

There’s a fantastic line-up of bands to enjoy: 

5.30pm to 6.30pm - Company B.  Company B delivers a lively, swagger-filled 1940s-style show with dynamic vocals, a powerful rhythm section, and electrifying horns, making them one of the South West’s most entertaining acts. 

6.50pm to 7.50pm - Not the Cowboys. Not The Cowboys are a high-energy Devon party band mixing country, rock, and pop covers with professional sound and lighting for a fun, dance-filled cowboy-themed night. 

8.10pm to 9.10pm - Be Here Now. Be Here Now is a powerhouse tribute band that captures the swagger, attitude, and electrifying energy of Oasis, delivering anthems and spot-on vocals that transport audiences back to the Britpop glory days. 

9.30pm to 10.30pm. Good Times. Good Times delivers an electrifying live show that captures the raw funk, soul, and disco of Nile Rodgers’ music, complete with dazzling sequins, stylish outfits, and engaging crowd interactions for an unforgettable experience. 

Prepare for the sun! 

Don’t forget to bring your sun cream, sun hats and stay hydrated throughout Armed Forces Day. There will be a refillable water station on site, plus refreshment stalls available, selling a wide selection of food and drink, including a reusable Plymouth cup. 

Accessibility information 

There is a designated viewing area for people with access needs, to view the main stage and arena. 

Accessible toilets can be found at both ends of the Hoe. The Hoe’s permanent public toilets also include 8 gender neutral toilets and 1 disabled toilet with baby changing facilities 

There will be no disabled parking on Plymouth Hoe but Ballard House car park on West Hoe Road is available for blue badge holders, plus the use of on-street parking. 

The No 25B bus will continue to run from the city centre around the waterfront throughout the day until 7pm on Saturday. A one way ticket for the shuttle bus will be £2 for any accompanying passengers with military personal/cadets/vets etc. There will be diversions in place for the Strength of Spirit Games on Thursday 26 June.  

View the timetable and the map for the number 25B shuttle bus service for Plymouth Armed Forces Day. 

If you need to retreat to a calmer space at any point during the weekend, we’d recommend visiting the Sensory Garden (near the Osbourne Place entrance to the Hoe), where you can soak up the atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle. 

Food and drink 

Enjoy a wide selection of hot and cold food and drinks across the Hoe, provided by C&G Catering. Options include fish and chips, wood-fired pizzas, burgers, hot dogs, baguettes, wraps, and a Noodle Bar—plus sweet treats like ice cream, candy floss, crepes, donuts, and more. Two fully stocked licensed bars will also be available. 

Please use cash where possible, as card payments may be limited due to poor signal. 

Grab a reusable Plymouth souvenir cup for just £1 with your first purchase, valid all day. 

There is a free water fill station which can be found next to the Plymouth Naval Memorial to help you stay hydrated! 

How to get to Armed Forces Day 

If you’re coming along to Armed Forces Day, why not look at alternative transport, rather than bringing your car. Connect Plymouth have some great ways to help reduce Plymouth’s carbon footprint, including the brilliant Beryl Bikes, which are also doing free taster sessions in the main arena during the day. 

If you do need to travel by car then there are lots of car parks within walking distance, the closest being the Theatre Royal Car Park. Find somewhere to park on the Plymouth City Council website. 

If you’re travelling by bus, then services from all across the city will stop at Royal Parade which is then just a ten-minute walk to Plymouth Hoe. 

Plymouth Citybus are offering free bus travel on Armed Forces Day to military personnel, veterans and cadets with ID. 

All visitors arriving by car are encouraged to use Plymouth’s Park and Ride services to Royal Parade which is approximately a 10 minute walk up to the Hoe. 

If you were planning to travel by train, please check the GWR website for details. Find out more about how to plan your journey to Armed Forces Day. 

Road Closures

Flag Raising 23 June 

Armada Way between Princess Street and the Guildhall public car park from 8.30am to 11.30am 

Armed Forces Day 28 June 

Hoe Road from the Mound at the Citadel to the Junction of Madeira Road, with suspension of parking from 7am to 10.30pm. 

Citadel Road from the junction of Lockyer Street to the junction of Sussex Street from 5pm to 7pm with suspension of parking 7am to 7pm. 

Suspension of parking at Osbourne Place entrance to the Hoe to the junction with The Esplanades from 7am to 7pm. 

Road closures will also be in place for the Strength of Spirit Games, Rehabilitation Triathlon, on Thursday 26 June. Find out the full details on road closures. 

Free Armed Forces Day programmes will be available on the day, or can be collected from the Tourist Information Centre on the Barbican, or viewed online. 

View the Armed Forces Day event map.  

Thanks to the sponsors and partners of Plymouth Armed Forces Day: Babcock, Royal British Legion Devon County, C&G Catering, AECOM, City West Country, Foster for Plymouth, Irwin Mitchell, King’s School Plymouth, New Medica Eye Clinic, Plymouth Citybus, and South West Highways.