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Saturday 21 June 2025
Ards Airfield, Newtownards | 10.30am - 5pm
This event is free to attend, no ticket is required, however there will be a small charge for some activities and onsite car parking. Food and drinks will be available to purchase.
See below for 2025 event details, including | Armed Forces Day Plan Your Trip | Armed Forces Day Standard Parking Information | Armed Forces Day Accessible Parking Information | Armed Forces Day Frequently Asked Questions | Armed Forces Day Site Description |
Pre-bookable parking - NOW CLOSED
A limited number of spaces are still available and can be purchased at the Comber Road entrance to the event site. Both cash and card payments are accepted.
Ulster Flying Club Ards Airfield, Newtownards will be transformed into a vibrant hub of activity to honour the Armed Forces community.
Join us for a day dedicated to the people who make up the Armed Forces community, celebrating and honouring those who serve and have served, with displays, exhibits, family friendly activities and more; a great day out for all.
View Event Programme
Official Regional Armed Forces Day Military Parade | 10.30am
The event will start with the Official Regional Armed Forces Day military parade through Newtownards, which will step off at 10:30am and include Military bands and over 400 military personnel.
Parade Route
Court Square – Court Street - South Street to Conway Square – turn right onto High Street – Old Cross – Castle Street – Portaferry Road the parade will conclude with a Drumhead Service at the main event site at Newtownards Airfield.
Compere
UTV presenter, Paul Clarke, will act as compere and talk visitors through the programme, which will include musical performances from the Band, Bugles, Pipes and Drums Royal Irish Regiment, as well as a Beating Retreat at 3.30pm.
View Event Programme
Entertainment
Visitors to Newtownards can enjoy breathtaking aerial displays, a military parade and a host of family friendly entertainment, cookery demonstrations and technical challenges when Northern Ireland Armed Forces Day 2025 (AFD25) comes to the town in June.
Armed Forces Day will commemorate VE80 throughout the day, with NI War Memorial exhibits, themed 1940s themed music and dancing and a spectacular line up of aerial and on ground military displays.
Aerial Displays
It has been confirmed that the aerial display on the day will include, the UK’s premier military parachute display team, the Falcons. The much loved and revered Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, will also be in the skies on 21 June – the only Northern Ireland display in their calendar this year.
Additional Activities
Visitors will also be able to enjoy a programme of military activity that wouldn’t normally be seen by the public, see Event Programme, as well as:
Music provided by
- Band, Bugles, Pipes and Drums of the Royal Irish Regiment)
- Pipes and Drums from Royal Dragoon Guards (RDG)
- Pipes and Drums from Campbell College Belfast Combined Cadet Force (CCB CCF)
- Pipes and Drums from 502 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force.
Stem Tent
Visit the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) tent for lots of family activities.
- Explore the depths of the universe with Armagh Planetarium and find out just how complicated or not rocket science really is with Ulster Rocketry.
- Discover what lies beneath Strangford Lough with Ulster Wildlife and Queens Marine Laboratory.
- Have a go at being a cyber security expert, or chill out at one of the Lego™ stations – designed for children of all ages.
- Even better, all the activities in the STEM tent are free!
Plus...
- All the fun of the fair with funfair favourites
- On ground aircraft displays
- Live music throughout the day
- 1940s themed dancing from Ballroom Blitz.
- Food Village, with over 30 food and drink vendors and a variety of local craft stalls
- Live cooking demos in the SERC Demo Kitchen
This event is organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council in partnership with the UK Armed Forces - The Royal Navy, The British Army and Royal Air Force.
Please note:
- Events are subject to change. Aerial displays are weather dependant.
-This event is a no unauthorised drone zone. Only official event drones authorised by the event organisers are permitted.
For further Information check
Drone Safety Map | Altitude Angel
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Sustainability
Ards and North Down Borough Council is committed to reducing our carbon footprint. We encourage visitors to travel via public transport, there are fresh water stations on site bring along refillable water bottles, reusable bags to pick up goodies at the event and please dispose rubbish in the correct bins when on-site.
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Ulster Flying Club Ards Airfield, Newtownards will be transformed into a vibrant hub of activity to honour the Armed Forces community, with displays, exhibits, family friendly activities and more; a great day out for all.- To make your day our as enjoyable as possible, please use this Plan Your Trip Section, which will give you more information about, how to travel to the event by car or bus, parking and event site useful Information.
- Armed Forces Day 2025 Standard Parking Information. Pre-book your space for Standard Parking and for further details on, Accessible Parking and Motorhomes and Large Vehicles. Terms and Conditions apply.
- Armed Forces Day 2025 Accessible Parking Information. Pre-book your space for Accessible Parking and for further details on, Standard Parking and Motorhomes and Large Vehicles. Terms and Conditions apply.
Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about Armed Forces Day.- To make your day our as enjoyable as possible, please use this Site Description Section, offering information on recycling, accessibility, toilets, first aid, dogs etc.
- Event related disruption - Please consider whether your personal or business activities will be impacted on the day.
Stay a while...
- Ours is a place to escape to, slow down and feed your spirit Ards and North Down is defined by lush fertile fields and sweeping loughs, even the furthest reaches are within an hour of Belfast. Savour our award-winning local food and drink, be inspired by creative makers, artists and musicians and immerse yourself in our rich heritage.
- Relax in the beauty of this place with accommodation ranging from distinctive self-catering options, cosy guest houses, glamping and caravanning/camping and a range of three, four and five-star hotel and spa facilities.
- Enjoy fresh produce from our tides and our turf, used to create delicious meals sure to tantalise your tastebuds, showcased by our local chefs.
- Ours is a promise of adventure, from the nooks in the woods to award-winning beaches and country parks, we’re home to some of Northern Ireland’s top attractions. Plan your visit and make unforgettable memories with family and friends.
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