Armed Forces Day 2026 - All You Need To Know!

Scarborough is once again hosting one of the biggest Armed Forces Day events in the UK on Saturday 27th June 2026. Events will be centred around South Bay along Foreshore Road and Sandside, which will be closed to traffic all day.


11am Welcome by the Scarborough Town Crier


11.30am RAF Chinook flypast


11.40amRAF Tutor T Mark 1 air display


11.55am to 12.30pm Formal opening


Scarborough Standards march into the Formal Area
Chairman of North Yorkshire Council, Councillor David Chance and Cdre Thomas Knowles Naval Regional Commander – Northern England and the Isle of Man will review the Standards
Scarborough Town Crier calls on all assembled to the opening of the event, the Yorkshire Volunteers Band marches into the Formal Area.
Formal opening and welcome by the Chairman of North Yorkshire Council
The Yorkshire Volunteers Band display
Presentation of awards by Cdre Thomas Knowles
Standards & The Yorkshire Volunteers Band marches off, and event officially starts


12:45pm The Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioners Pace Stick Team


1pm Royal Air Force Cadets display of banner drill


1.15pm Scarborough Sea Cadet continuity drill display team


2.30pm Calidus AutoGyro – air display


3pm Scarborough Sea Cadet Band performance


3.30pm Hawker Fury – a relative of the famous Sea Fury – air display


3.45pm East Riding Pipe Band performance


4.05pm RAF Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 – air display


4.20pm Standards, veterans and cadets parade steps off led by Queen’s Own Yeomanry and Yorkshire Volunteers Band


4.30pm Review of Parade at the formal area
Parade Marshal to invite Reviewing Officer; Cdre Thomas Knowles with VIPs to review the parade
Presentation of the Armed Forces Day Flag to Executive Officer Lie Bellens of Geel Sea Cadets, Belgium
Closing words by Cdre Thomas Knowles
Prayers and blessings by Reverend Sam Tredwell


4.45pm Closing Ceremony
Exhortation by Matthew O’Brien, Chairman of the RBL
Sunset ceremony including the Yorkshire Volunteers Band
Scarborough Sea Cadets lower the Armed Forces flag and present to Cdre Thomas Knowles
Yorkshire Volunteers Band perform and conclude with the National Anthem
Three cheers for HM Armed Forces led by Cdre Thomas Knowles


4.55pm Parade marches off


5pm Event finishes


Please use the Park & Ride sites on the A64 Seamer Road and the A165 Filey Road. Scarborough will be very busy, with Richard Ashcroft performing at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Saturday evening too.


The weather is forecast to be very warm with sunny spells. There will be free water refill points along the seafront. Make sure you are wearing suncream and / or are covered up from the sun.


Veteran Focused Highlights


  • Recognition and celebration: Veterans will be publicly acknowledged throughout the day, with speeches and tributes that highlight their service and sacrifice.
  • Veterans’ Village: A dedicated area where veterans can connect with support organisations, charities, and fellow service members.
  • Access to Support Services: Information and advice from military charities and organisations offering health, wellbeing, housing, and financial support.
  • Discount Opportunities: Veterans can register for the Defence Privilege Card, which offers access to online and high street discounts


Naval Warfare Returns To Peasholm Park – Armed Forces Day Special


Prepare for action as the legendary Naval Warfare show launches its summer season with a spectacular Armed Forces Day special at Peasholm Park!


On Saturday 27 June, the tranquil lake will transform into a dramatic battle zone as 20-foot replica warships recreate a thrilling sea battle, complete with explosions, smoke, and sound effects. This unique and much-loved Scarborough tradition is a must-see for visitors of all ages.


  • Time: 3:00pm
  • Location: Peasholm Park, North Bay, Scarborough


Join us for this unforgettable spectacle as part of Scarborough’s Armed Forces Day celebrations—a powerful tribute to naval history and the courage of those who serve.


North Yorkshire Council will be taking photos and film footage at this event. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please speak to a member of the team.


Images and videos may be used by North Yorkshire council, our partners and our commercial services for press and printed information and digital channels. 


Images and video will be stored for three years and may continue to be used by the council unless advised otherwise. If you do not wish for them to be used, you can contact North Yorkshire Council via their website.


Dogs On Leads

Well-behaved dogs on leads are very welcome at Scarborough Armed Forces Day. We know they’re part of the family too!

Please ensure your dog is kept on a lead at all times and that you clean up after them to help keep the event safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Let’s make it a great day for all—two-legged and four-legged visitors alike!

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Scarborough isn't just a seaside resort; it's a giant, open-air history book spanning nearly 200 million years. From its iconic castle headland to the "dinosaur footprints" hidden on its beaches, the town's landscape tells a story of ancient deep oceans, tropical swamps, and dramatic landslides. The Tale of Two Bays Scarborough is famous for its two distinct bays—North and South—separated by a massive rocky promontory. This headland, where Scarborough Castle now stands, exists because it is made of much tougher stuff than the surrounding coast. The Castle Headland: This is a "downfaulted outlier" of Middle and Late Jurassic rocks. The top layer is a hard, honey-coloured sandstone known as the Corallian Group, which sits on top of the much softer Oxford Clay. Because the sandstone is so resistant to erosion, it juts out into the North Sea, while the softer rocks on either side have been carved into the bays we see today. The Bays: The cliffs around the North and South bays are made of softer clays and sandstones that are roughly 170 million years old. These were formed during the Jurassic period, a time of river channels, swamps, and deep oceans. Walking with Dinosaurs: You don't need a time machine to find evidence of Jurassic life here. Scarborough is often called the "British capital of dinosaur trackways." Dinosaur Footprints: At low tide, you can find fossilised footprints of giant sauropods and theropods (meat-eaters) on the rocks of the South Cliff. More than 50 footprints have been recorded in this area. Rotunda Museum: To see these finds up close without getting your feet wet, visit the Rotunda Museum. Opened in 1829, it is one of the world's first purpose-built museums. It was designed based on suggestions from William Smith, the "Father of English Geology," who lived in Scarborough. Inside, you'll find the Gristhorpe Man (a Bronze Age tree burial) and the Speeton Plesiosaur. A Coast in Motion The geology of Scarborough is still active today, sometimes with dramatic results. Holbeck Hall Landslide: In 1993, the nation watched as the four-star Holbeck Hall Hotel slowly tumbled into the sea. This happened because heavy glacial deposits from the last Ice Age (about 11,000 years ago) sit on top of slippery Jurassic clay. When it rains heavily, the water gets trapped, causing the land to slide. Sea Defences: To combat this erosion, you’ll see modern sea defences like those along Marine Drive. These include huge blocks of Larvikite, a beautiful, dark-grey igneous rock imported all the way from Norway because of its extreme durability. Tips for Geological Explorers Check the Tides: Many of the best geological features, including the rock pools and dinosaur tracks, are only visible at low tide. Stay Safe: The cliffs to the south are active landslide zones. Always stay on the marked paths and keep a safe distance from the cliff edge and the base of the cliffs on the beach. Look for Pebbles: The beaches are full of "erratic" pebbles—stones carried here from hundreds of miles away by glaciers during the last Ice Age.