ARMED FORCES DAY FOLKESTONE 2026 – FREE FAMILY FUN DAY WITH AIR DISPLAYS
on Saturday 26th June
10am – 6pm THE LEAS BANDSTAND, ARENA AREA & THE LEAS, CT20 2XL
Folkestone Town Council are proud and delighted to announce that its 14th annual Armed Forces & Community Fun Day will include exhilarating air displays and various RAF display assets including the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Lancaster & Spitfire) and Chinook Display Team (all to be confirmed).
Folkestone Armed Forces Day is a free family day out with recognition of Service Personnel, Veterans and Cadets past, present and future the prime focus.
This large scale event hosts a comprehensive entertainment programme on the Leas Bandstand and arena area and includes musical & dance performances and displays from armed forces regiments and cadet units.
The area to the rear of the bandstand (and to the junction of Cliff Road) is dedicated to displays and stands including military benevolent organisations, military static aircraft and vehicle displays, Great War Trench Experience, Red Arrows and Typhoon display team flight simulators, Classic Car Show, Battle of Britain and weapon display stands, cadet’s laser shooting tents, face painting and much more.
Trade and food & drink stands will be sited on the lawns between the Leas Cliff Hall and the WWII Memorial Arch.
Each year this event has grown with success, and we expect over 50,000 visitors again for 2026.
Veterans will be present on the day, and many will engage with the public about their experiences in service.
Those attending will have the opportunity to visit the charity stands and stalls including the Royal British Legion, BLESMA, SSAFA, RAFA, RNLI who also offer a wide range of services and advice to forces personnel.
Event organiser, Folkestone Town Council will have further details to follow with regular press updates provided as the comprehensive event programme develops and other display stands are confirmed.
Please visit www.folkestone-tc.gov.uk or our Facebook and Twitter pages for additional information.
Attracting visitors nationwide, this year’s Armed Forces Day again promises to be an unforgettable day out.
ROAD CLOSURES & BAY SUSPENSIONS
Advanced warning notices will be placed in all the affected areas 14 days prior to the event.
The following list details the traffic closure points required to facilitate the Armed Forces Day event:-
Road Closures
1. The Leas (Between its junction at Clifton Gardens and Clifton Road)
2.The Leas (Between its junction at West Terrace to junction with Clifton Road)
3. West Terrace (Between its junction at Sandgate Road to junction with The Leas)
4. Longford Terrace (Entire Length)
5. Longford Way (Entire Length)
6. Pleydell Gardens (Entire Length)
7. Shakespeare Terrace (Entire Length)
8. Langhorne Gardens (Entire Length)
9. Clifton Gardens (Entire Length)
10. Clifton Road (Entire Length)
11. Clifton Crescent (Entire Length)
12. Trinity Crescent (Entire Length)
13. Earls Avenue (Between its junction at Sandgate Road to junction with The Leas)
14. Metropole Road East (Entire Length)
15. Metropole Road West (Entire Length)
16. Cheriton Place (Between its junction at Sandgate Road to junction with The Leas)
17.The Leas (Between its junction at Earls Avenue and Metropole Road West)
18.Road of Remembrance (Entire Length)
19.Radnor Street (Entire Length)
20.Beach Street (Entire Length)
21.The Stade (Entire Length)
22.Fishmarket (Entire Length)
23.Back Street (Entire Length)
FOLKESTONE, KENT
No Waiting / Parking
To support the traffic management plan whilst facilitating the additional expectation of pedestrians, we require the following parking bays to be suspended from 20:00 on Fri 26 June 2026 to 21:00 on Sat 28 June 2026:-
· A260 The Tram Road (Entire Length)
· The Leas (Entire Length)
· Langhorne Gardens (Entire Length)
· Radnor Park West (between its junction at Wilton Road to junction with A2034 Cheriton Road)
· Coolinge Lane (between entrance to The Folkestone School for Girls and its junction with Bathurst Road)
· Earls Avenue (between its junction at A2033 Sandgate Road and Clifton Crescent)
Road Closures Over Armed Forces Day Weekend
Friday 26th Jun – No 1 from 20:00 on Fri 26 Jun to 21:00 on Sat 27 June
Saturday 27th June
No’s 2 – 17 06:00 – 21:00
No’s 18 – 23 09:00 – 21:00
No Waiting / Parking Suspensions Over Armed Forces Day Weekend
from 20:00 on Fri 26 June 2026 to 21:00 on Sat 27 June 2026
