Newtownards — 21 June 2025

Armed Forces Day 2025

When

10:30 am to 4:00 pm

Location

Portaferry Road
Newtownards
Northern Ireland
BT23 8SG
United Kingdom

Ulster Flying Club Ards Airfield, Newtownards will be transformed into a vibrant hub of activity to honour the Armed Forces community. It will be a day dedicated to the people who make up the Armed Forces community, with displays, exhibits, family friendly activities and more; a great day out for all.
Visitors to Newtownards can enjoy breath taking 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.

Ards and North Down Borough Council will host the national event on Saturday 21 June 2025 at Newtownards Airfield. 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.

It has been confirmed that the aerial display on the day will include the C47 Dakota from the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and 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.

The event will start at 10:30am with 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. 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.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy a programme of military activity that wouldn’t normally be seen by the public, along with live music, food stalls a fun fair and lively street theatre.

The event will close in style with a Beating Retreat at 4pm.