Armed Forces Day is here again – a perfect chance to celebrate and honour the incredible men and women who make up the Armed Forces community. From those currently serving to their families and veterans, it’s an opportunity to show our appreciation for their dedication and sacrifice!
Armed Forces Day (AFD) is officially observed on June 28th, but our local regions are celebrating it on a few different dates. You’re encouraged to come celebrate with us! Veterans Outreach Support staff and volunteers are very much looking forward to the AFD events in our area.
If you’re not located near Portsmouth, Gosport, Havant or the Isle of Wight, this is a great resource for all AFD events in the UK. If you are local to the area, then we’d love to see you! Here are all the details about where we’ll be:
Several events are happening in the local area for National Armed Forces Week 22-28 June 2025 to showcase this region’s strong connection to the armed forces and to highlight support and opportunities available to its large armed forces community.
These include:
PORTSMOUTH ARMED FORCES DAY EVENT
Saturday 21 June – Armed Forces Day Event – Southsea Common from 10am – 4pm (FREE – No tickets are needed, people and families can just turn up and enjoy the event.) Multiple attractions including Junior Field Gun, entertainment, military and veterans parade, parachute display team, Battle of Britain Memorial Solo Spitfire Display. VOS representatives will have a stand at this event, so pop in to see us!
Monday 23rd June – Armed Forces Day Flag Raising (Portsmouth Guildhall) – 09:20 guests assemble in front of the Civic Offices, 09:30 welcome and speeches and raising of the flags.
Friday 27 June – 1030 -1200hrs – St Mary’s Hospital, Milton Road, Portsmouth PO3 6AD. There will be a flag raising ceremony in Captain Tom Moore garden, plus poetry reading and our Veterans Voices VOS Singing Group will be singing a tuneful song to honour or Armed Services.
GOSPORT ARMED FORCES DAY EVENT
Monday 23 June – Armed Forces Day Information Hub and Flag Raising Ceremony – A non-commercial event featuring a range of local organisations offering information about support and opportunities to the armed forces community located in Gosport High Street from 9.30am – 1.30pm. The Flag Raising Ceremony will be taking place in Falkland Gardens at 10am.
Saturday 28 June – Armed Forces Day Market – Gosport High Street from 10am – 4pm featuring street food, artisan stalls, live music, the Collingwood Volunteer Marching Band, Armed Forces performers and military-themed stalls and activities.
HAVANT ARMED FORCES WEEK FLAG RAISING
Monday 23 June, A ceremony where the specially-designed flag will be hoisted over the Public Service Plaza, Civic Centre Road, Havant, and will fly until Armed Forces Day itself, on Saturday 29 June. Residents are invited to watch the short ceremony, which starts at 10.30am, and pay tribute to past and present service personnel, their partners, and families. After the ceremony, refreshments will be available in the Hollybank Room in the Plaza.
More info here
VOS representatives will be at this event, and our Veterans Voices VOS Singing Group will be in full song, so we hope you can join us here!
ISLE OF WIGHT ARMED FORCES DAY EVENT
Sunday 29 June. 1000-1700hrs, Eastern Gardens, Ryde, IOW. (FREE) At Isle of Wight Armed Forces Day this year, you can expect some stunning attractions. Ranging from aircraft soaring across the Solent skies, to loud bangs on the beach and bands in the parade. For more info and a full event line up, visit here. All are subject to change so either bookmark the page or follow us on Facebook for the vary latest amendments. VOS representatives will have a stand at this event, drop in to say hello!