Armed Forces Day FAQ's

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When and Where  

1. What are the dates and times of Armed Forces Day?

Saturday 21 June 2025, 10.30am - 5pm

2. Is there a cost to attend the event?
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.

You are free to leave the event site and return at a later time during the event opening times.

3. Where is the event located?

Armed Forces Day is taking place at Ulster Flying Club Ards Airfield, nearby to the town centre of Newtownards, Co. Down at 61 Portaferry Road, BT23 8SG

Latitude 54.662424 | Longitude -5.673061 | BT20 3BH  

Please see the Plan your Trip Section for further information.

4. What is the programme?

• The event will start at 10:30am with Armed Forces Day Military Parade through Newtownards town centre – return to the airfield. a band performance and the official regional Armed Forces Day military parade through Newtownards.
• This will be followed by a special Drumhead Service and Flag Raising at Ards Airfield.
• Visitors will also be able to enjoy a programme of military activity that wouldn’t normally be seen by the public
• There will be a Beating Retreat at 3.30pm.

There will also be a range entertainers, musical performances, displays of military assets, a STEM tent, and much more.

Find out more about the activities available on the Event page.

5. Where is the parade route?

The event will start at 10:30am with a band performance and the official regional Armed Forces Day military parade through Newtownards.

Parade Route: Court Square – Court Street - South Street to Conway Square – turn right onto High Street – Old Cross – Castle Street – Portaferry Road

6. Is there accommodation nearby?
There is a range of accommodation options available within the borough from family friendly hotels and B&Bs to self-catering and caravan parks.

More information on a range of accommodation options can be found here. 

7. Attending with children/vulnerable adults?

With crowds anticipated, please pick up a wristband, which you can add a contact number to, at the Visitor Information Points.

8. Who can I contact for more information or general information on the area during the event?

Visitor Information Points | Members of our Visitor Information Centre team will be on hand to help with any event queries, wider tourism queries and you can pick up Visit Ards and North Down maps and guides.

You can find out the contact details for our Bangor Visitor Information Centre and Newtownards Visitor Information Centre here.

Travel and Access

9. Where is the entrance for members of the public?

• Pedestrian access | Pedestrian access is via the Portaferry Road entrance to Newtownards Airfield 61 Portaferry Rd, Newtownards BT23 8SG and the Comber Road entrance.

Travel via

• Park and Ride former NIE Site, 31 Balloo Road Bangor BT19 7TN 
• Free Event Shuttle Bus service will operate from Bangor Translink Bus and Train station and Dundonald Park and Ride, Upper Newtownards Road, Dundonald

Buses will drop off at the Event Site at Newtownards Airfield, via the Portaferry Road entrance - 61 Portaferry Rd, Newtownards BT23 8SG

10. Where is the entrance for cars?

• Pre-bookable car park | Arrive via the Comber Road entrance only, Newtownards BT23 8SG
• Note - This will be clearly signposted on the Comber Road, Newtownards. Please watch out for pedestrians in the area.

11. What are the parking options/Event Shuttle Service/Park and Ride Facilities and available at the event?

Pre-bookable parking

There are pre-bookable parking tickets available for both Standard Parking and Accessible Parking, at a cost of £5 per vehicle.

Capacity is limited, on site car parking must be pre-booked. Ts and Cs apply.

• The car parking entrance will be clearly signposted on the Comber Road entrance Newtownards BT23 8SG

 Please watch out for pedestrians in the area.

Shuttle Service and Park and Ride Facilities

• Park and Ride former NIE Site, 31 Balloo Road Bangor BT19 7TN 
• Free Event Shuttle Bus service will operate from Bangor Translink Bus and Train station and Dundonald Park and Ride, Upper Newtownards Road, Dundonald

• No tickets are required for the Shuttle Service and Park and Ride Facilities.
• Spaces on shuttle buses and at Park and Ride facilities are on a first come, first served basis

We anticipate large numbers at Armed Forces Day and inevitable travel disruption around Newtownards and particularly the event site, please allow additional time and consider this when planning onward travel. 

Please see the Plan your Trip Section for further information on parking options as well as motorhomes and large vehicles. Ts and Cs apply.

12. Is there motorhome parking?

• No overnight motorhome parking is available however please go to our website for motorhome parking within the Borough  - Caravan and Camping - Ards & North Down
• Motorhomes and large vehicles are permitted to park on site. However, outdoor seating beside vehicles is not allowed. Once parked, all attendees must leave their vehicles and enter the event site.
• Customers who have a motorhome may bring their chairs into the events site.

13. What is the closest bus or train station?

The nearest bus station is in the centre of Newtownards, 33 Regent Street, Newtownards, BT23 4AD, beside Ards Visitor Information Centre, and it is located approx. a 30-40 minute walk from Ulster Flying Club Ards Airfield where the event is located. 

For bus stop detail, information on timetables and fares, visit Translink.co.uk or call the Contact Centre on +44 (0) 28 9066 6630.

Please see the Plan your Trip Section for further information on public transport options.

14. Are there road closures in place?

Full Road Closure: Portaferry Road (from the Portaferry Road roundabout to the Old Shore Road) will be closed from 8am to 8pm to ensure the safety and integrity of the site.

Extension to above Portaferry Road Closure: extending from Old Shore Road to Finlays Road between 2pm – 3pm. There will be ‘no through road’ at Old Shore Road. During this period pedestrian access on Portaferry Road from Old Shore Road in the direction of Finlays Road is also prohibited.

Single Lane Closure: For shuttle bus access on the Portaferry Road between George’s Street and the Portaferry Road roundabout throughout the day.

Disruption to traffic flows: Potential rolling road closures, during the parade (10.30am for approximately 40 minutes) from Court Street - South Street - High Street - Castle Street - Portaferry Road.

Diversions and coning: Temporary no-parking zones will be in place in the area throughout the day.

• Please allow extra time for travel and entry.
•  Please note: To ensure public safety, extensions to road closures may be required at certain periods throughout the day. 

Please see the Plan your Trip Section for further information.

15. Can I access The Floodgates Car Park and the path along the Floodgates

• No, to ensure public safety, the Floodgates Car Park and the path along the Floodgates will be closed between 8am and 8pm to ensure public safety during aerial displays.

Event Activities

16. What types of activities will be available for children?
Visitors can enjoy breathtaking aerial displays, a military parade and a host of family friendly entertainment, cookery demonstrations and technical challenges. Visit the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) tent for lots of family activities. Plus, funfair favourites. Live music throughout the day, food village and craft stalls.

Find out more about the activities available on the Event page.

17. Are there any age restrictions for the activities at the event?
Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.  

18. Will there be live entertainment? If so, what kind and when?

Visitors will be able to enjoy a programme of military activity that wouldn’t normally be seen by the public. It will give visitors an insight into the work of the Armed Forces – Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force – as well as celebrating and honouring those who serve and have served.

Find out more about the activities available on the Event page.

19. Are there any recommended viewing areas outside of the main event and what do they offer in terms of visibility and amenities?

The best place to view activities and aerial displays is from the event site itself, within Newtownards Airfield.

Food and Drink

20. Will food and drink be available to purchase?
There will be numerous food and drink stalls offering a range of local and international food options available to purchase onsite.

This will include hot and cold food choices, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options.

There will be freshwater stations, so bring along your refillable bottles. Please remember to bring a reusable bag to pick up goodies at the event.

There is no bar, and no alcohol is permitted onsite.

Newtownards  has a great selection of independent restaurants, coffee shops and food outlets to suit a range of needs. Check out our Taste Ards and North Down section.

21. Can you bring your own food and drinks to the event?
There will be a range of food and drink options on site to purchase, and you are also welcome to bring your own food and refreshments.

There is no bar, and alcohol is NOT permitted on site.

No BBQs are allowed at the event site.

Keeping the site tidy – Please take your litter home with you or use the recycling stations when on site.

Recycling 

22. Will there be recycling facilities available?

Yes, when disposing of rubbish please use the recycling stations when on site.

Please help us continue our sustainability commitment to zero contamination at events by using the correct bin. Members from our Recycling team will be on hand to provide advice and help you put your rubbish in the correct bin.

23. What is your sustainability policy?
Tourism events aim to showcase the unique assets throughout Ards and North Down and we’re committed to running a sustainable event that minimises any negative impact on the environment, and we encourage visitors to help by:

• Travelling via public transport and buses provided.
• There are freshwater stations on site.
• Please also remember to bring along your refillable bottles and reusable bags to pick up goodies at the event.

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Site Description, Safety Measures and First Aid Provision

24. Can you provide more details on what the event site is like, along with information on accessible viewing, quiet zone, etc?
We welcome everyone to Armed Forces Day. We’re delighted to have you join us and are committed to ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Please refer to our Site Description for more information here.

25. Are dogs allowed at the event?

Dogs are generally not allowed on Ards Airfield site, but as a special case for this event dogs and assistance dogs will be allowed at the Armed Forces Day event on 21 June (for the duration of the event).

• We would advise dog owners this is an extremely busy site with large crowds and loud noises and do not recommend that you bring your dog onto the site. 
• However, if you do plan to attend with your dog, they must be kept on a short lead. Owners must clean up after their dogs and dispose of the waste in the appropriate bins. 
• Accredited assistance dogs/ emotional support dogs are welcome. Both must be easily identified for their purpose by the dog handler (Identification tags).
• For animal welfare and safety reasons dogs must not be left in vehicles at any time during the event.

Event organisers and staff reserve the right to refuse entry or request removal of any dog that:

• Is not under control

• Appears distressed or aggressive

26. Will there be toilets and changing places onsite?

Toilets will be located in six different areas within the event site, this will include accessible toilets and changing facilities. Clear signage will guide you to these facilities.

Accessoloo will be in attendance, at the front entrance to the event site. Assessoloo is a toilet facility for disabled people that has the right equipment, including Adult Changing Table, Ceiling Hoist, Lavatory, Grab Rails, Hot and Cold Running Water and Heating and Lighting. Find out more about Accessoloo. 

Can I bring a mobility scooter or wheelchair?

Yes

27. What safety measures in place at the event?

We are committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all attendees.

Event stewards will be stationed throughout the event site to help and respond to any concerns or emergencies.

Tell Event Stewards if you see something which doesn’t feel right.

#BeSafeBeSound

28. What First Aid Provision will there be on site?

First aiders and ambulance services on site. There is a first aid tent, on foot patrol and vehicles.

Additionally, clear signage will guide you to these facilities.

29. What items are prohibited from the site?

No Alcohol, BBQs, gazebos, dogs or drones are permitted onsite (please see Q24 above regarding dogs on site).

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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Weather

30. What happens in case of inclement weather?
The safety and enjoyment of our attendees, staff, and performers are our top priorities. In the event of inclement weather, such as heavy rain, lightning, or severe storms, we may temporarily suspend activities or, if necessary, evacuate the area to ensure everyone's safety.

With major programming elements i.e. aerial displays, being weather dependent, we closely monitor weather conditions leading up to and during the event and will communicate any changes through our official website, social media channels, and on-site announcements.

Please check these platforms regularly for updates.

Should we be lucky enough to experience sunny weather, please protect yourself with sun cream, hats and hydrate when at the event. Bring your refillable water bottles and use the water supply available at the event.

Event Information and Lost Property

31. Will there be ATMs on site?

There are no ATMS on site, some providers in the Food Village and Craft Stalls will have contactless card reader, however, please bring along cash.

32. I have lost property at the event; how can I get it back?

There will be a Visitor Information Stand at the site. Please ask here or leave your details. Alternatively, you can contact the Events Office +44(0)28 9127 8051, events@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, the office will reopen on Monday 24 June.

33. Is there an official event website for updates and information?
For more information on the event, go to www.visitardsandnorthdown.com

Details subject to change. Keep checking back to our website, follow our Facebook page or sign up to our ezine for updates.

Frequently Asked Questions are subject to change and updates. If you have any further questions, please email events@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk  

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.