There’s so much to look forward to when Armed Forces Day takes place in the main streets of Falmouth and around its historic harbour, using car parks and existing public spaces as venues, as well as Pendennis Headland, Pendennis Castle and the seafront.
Organisers have asked visitors to follow pedestrian and traffic management advice which will be publicised in advance, and clearly displayed.
You can see live coverage of Saturday's events here: Armed Forces Day 2023 in Falmouth - LIVE
Below is a full guide to events on all three days:
Friday, June 23
FOR SCHOOLS ONLY
10am - 3pm
Schools’ preview of the Military Village – Youth and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Day
All three Services have been brought together to showcase A range of military capability and equipment including STEM-specific activities and challenges. All schools and colleges in Cornwall are invited. Entertainment area with military demonstrations and a live music programme.
Venue: Grove Place Car Park / NMMC Car Park / Princess Pavilion
FOR SCHOOLS ONLY
From 10.30am
Schools event – an Inter-school Armed Forces Day Robotics Challenge
A whole day of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) activities aimed at year three and four students. This will be a fun-packed hands-on day using programmable robots and engineering-based tasks to develop problem solving, teamwork and communication skills. Includes Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole virtuals.
Venue: Princess Pavilion
11am - 5pm
Charity Zone
Stands, displays and activities showcasing the work of armed forces charities and support organisations
Venue: Church Street Car Park – Upper level
12pm - 8pm
Entertainment
Entertainment programme with stage, live music and bar area. Acts include This Way Up, Our Atlantic Roots, C-Bone and The Stowes Duo.
Venue: Church Street Car Park – Lower level
12pm - 8.30pm
Entertainment
Entertainment area – music and displays. Big screen. Acts include Joe Francis, True Foxes, Will Keating & John Dowling, Our Atlantic Roots, Treverva Male Voice Choir and Barretts Privateers.
Venue: Event Square
7pm
Author talks – ‘SAS Great Escapes’ with Damien Lewis
This is a ticketed, paid for event. Details and booking at https://thepoly.org/whats-on/event/2422/sas-great-escapes-with-damien-lewis
Venue: The Poly, 24 Church Street, Falmouth TR11 3EG
7pm
Royal British Legion ‘Recovery Through Comedy Show’
Join us for an hour of hilarity and emotion live on stage at the Underland Bar. Places are limited, book a free ticket via Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-royal-british-legion-recovery-through-comedy-project-tickets-637243009997
Venue: Underland Bar, Old Brewery Yard, Falmouth TR11 2BY
Saturday, June 24
11am - 11.30am
Military parade
A parade through Falmouth involving Cornwall’s armed forces, veterans, cadet forces and reserve units
Venue: The Moor to Discovery Quay (Events Square)
11.10am
Saluting the conclusion of the military parade with fly past
Limited viewing
Venue: Grove Place Car Park
All day (9am - 6pm)
Military Village
Tri service displays of military assets, demonstrations and interactive activities.
Venue: Grove Place Car Park/ NMMC Car Park
All day (11am - 5pm)
Charity Zone
Stands, displays and activities showcasing the work of armed forces charities and support organisations.
Venue: Church Street Car Park – Upper level
All day (10am to 8pm)
Entertainment
Entertainment programme with stage and bar area.
Venue: Church Street Car Park – Lower level
All day (10am - 5pm)
Food Hub
Activities organised by Falmouth Harbour
Venue: Custom House Quay
All day (10am - 10.30pm)
Entertainments Zone
Entertainment area with military demonstrations and a live music programme. Acts include Culdrose Military Wives Choir, Polkadots, the Royal Marines Combat Display, Sea Cadets Band, Tom Cary and the Motown Pirates.
Venue: Events Square
All day (10am - 5pm)
Family entertainment
Interactive space dome and STEM board games. Street performers – stilt walkers. Carousel. Market. Florence Nightingale Exhibition at Falmouth Library.
Venue: The Moor
10am - 2.30pm
Open ship (Saturday and Sunday)
Naval Frigate HMS Richmond moored alongside the Wharf at Falmouth Docks for public tours. Free event but entry will be limited to ticket holders. Book tickets via Eventbrite www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hms-richmond-ship-tour-tickets-608447893027
Venue: Falmouth Docks
1pm - 2pm
Inter-services field gun demonstration
Co-ordinated by cadet forces.
Venue: Bar Road
2.20pm - 5pm
RAF Falcons Parachute Drop Zone, and Military Air Displays over sea
An afternoon of air displays over Falmouth Bay. The running order will be:
Black Cats
Typhoon
Chinook
Harvard
Merlin Mk 2
Seafire
Venue: Falmouth Bay
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight has had to withdraw for the display for safety reasons. More details on that and the air display here: Red Arrows display details and the other aircraft performing on Armed Forces Day
6.30pm - 10.50pm
Live concert
‘Last night of the Proms’ style concert celebrating and thanking armed forces. Featuring Big Band Orchestra, Royal Marine Band drummers, Culdrose Military Wives Choir, Youth Choir. Free event, but numbers limited to ticket-holders. Book via Hall For Cornwall https://hallforcornwall.co.uk/playhouse-tickets-shows/armed-forces-day-concert-at-pendennis-castle
Venue: Pendennis Castle
6pm
Author talk – Monty Halls: ‘Commando: The Inside Story of Britain’s Royal Marines’
This is a ticketed, paid for event. Details and booking via The Poly https://thepoly.org/whats-on/event/2423/commando-the-inside-story-of-britain-s-royal-marines-with-monty-halls
Venue: The Poly, 24 Church Street, Falmouth TR11 3EG
8pm
Author talk – Paul Tremelling: ‘How to Be A Fighter Pilot’
This is a ticketed, paid for event. Details and booking via The Poly https://thepoly.org/whats-on/event/2424/how-to-be-a-fighter-pilot-with-paul-tremelling
Venue: The Poly, 24 Church Street, Falmouth TR11 3EG
10.40pm
Fireworks display
Free event. Ten minute display – please keep pets indoors.
Venue: Falmouth Bay
Sunday, June 25
9am
Cornwall Cycling Charity Challenge
A 27-mile off-road ride and a 62-mile road ride bringing together families, local cyclists, serving personnel and veterans. Organised by Halo Sports and SSAFA. There is a charge for registering and entering - full details at www.ssafa.org.uk/support-us/challenge-events/cycle/cornwall-cycling-charity-challenge
Venue: Pendennis Head car park
10am - 2.30pm
Open ship (Saturday and Sunday)
Naval Frigate HMS Richmond moored alongside the Wharf at Falmouth Docks for public tours. Free event but entry will be limited to ticket holders. Book via Eventbrite.
Book tickets via www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hms-richmond-ship-tour-tickets-608447893027
Venue: Falmouth Docks
11am -12pm
Thanksgiving service
Public service plus invited guests.
Venue: King Charles the Martyr Church, Falmouth
11am - 4pm
Charity Zone
Stands, displays and activities showcasing the work of armed forces charities and support organisations.
Venue: Church Street Car Park – Upper level
11am - 4pm
Entertainment
Musical entertainment in partnership with Source FM with stage and bar area.
Venue: Church Street Car Park – Lower level
11am - 4pm
Family entertainment
Interactive space dome and STEM board games. Street performers – Stilt walkers. Market.
Venue: The Moor
11am -4pm
Food Hub
Organised by Falmouth Harbour.
Venue: Custom House Quay
12pm - 4pm
Entertainment
Entertainment on stage from the Rum and Shrub Shanty Band, Tom Cary and Off the Hook.
Venue: Events Square
4pm
Event closes
For an updated version of this schedule, should things change, please visit www.armedforcesday.cornwall.gov.uk Events section.
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