Armed Forces Week, taking place from the 23 - 29 June, is Blackpool's opportunity to say thank you to our heroes.
To mark the national event, we are welcoming serving military personnel, veterans and cadets with a wide range of activities targeted at them and their families, as well as the many thousands of people visiting Blackpool.
Armed Forces Week Flag Raising
23 June 2025
Location: Blackpool Town Hall, Talbot Square, Blackpool
Blackpool Armed forces week officially begins with the raising of the Armed Forces Day Flag above the Town Hall.
Wartime Blackpool Exhibition
April – September 2025
Time: For open dates and times visit www.showtownblackpool.co.uk
Location: Showtown, (Entrance) Corner of Adelaide Street West and Bank Hey Street, Blackpool, FY1 4TQ
Tickets: Entry charges to Showtown apply. For general admission prices, please visit www.showtownblackpool.co.uk.
This exhibition will share the untold story of a town brought to life by wartime entertainment and performance. Wartime Blackpool will uncover unique stories, never-before-seen objects and reveal the crucial role the town played in the war effort. Explore loans on display from the Imperial War Museum, Lancashire County Museum Service and the British Cartoon Archive.
BFCCT – NAAFI Break
25 June 2024
Time: 10:30 – 12:00
Location: The Corner Flag Restaurant, Blackpool FC Hotel, Bloomfield Road FY1 6JJ.
Our NAAFI Break is open to those currently serving, ex-forces personnel, and their immediate families, the sessions aim to bring like-minded people together to socialise and build new friendships. Participants can pre-order a breakfast sandwich for the session. If you require a butty (Bacon, Sausage, Vegan, Egg) or fruit ordering, please call or leave a text message with Ian McCleary on 07756854034 by close of play on Monday 23 June, at a reduced cost of £2. You can pay at the Corner Flag restaurant either by cash or card. There will also be a free cup of Tea/coffee.
Gardening Club at the Fylde Memorial Arboretum & Community Woodland
26 June 2025
Time: 10:00 – 12:00
Location: Fylde Memorial Arboretum & Community Woodland, FY2 0LZ
Gardening Club is designed to encourage those currently serving, ex-forces personnel, and their immediate families to socialise while taking part in light gardening to maintain a memorial space dedicated to Blackpool FC players who lost their lives during the First World War.
BFCCT – Walk & Talk
26 June 2025
Time: 13:30 – 15:30
Location: Meet up at Blackpool Cricket Club car park, West Park Drive, Blackpool FY3 9EQ
Veterans Walk and Talk sessions promote socialisation while helping participants access weekly moderate exercise. Following the walk around the scenic grounds of Stanley Park, participants are invited to attend our well-being hub at Blackpool Cricket Club within the grounds of Stanley Park to continue their conversations, enjoy a drink and relax.
Untold Histories: Blackpool Regiment – Talk
26 June 2025
Time: 14:00 – 15:00
Location: Showtown Sir Ken Dodd Learning Space, (Entrance) Corner of Adelaide Street West and Bank Hey Street, Blackpool, FY1 4TQ
Tickets: Adults - £5.00* *Event ticket does not include museum entry. For general admission prices, please visit www.showtownblackpool.co.uk.
The Blackpool Regiment was short-lived. The story of its fight for survival at the Fall of Singapore is compelling and tragic, but it forms a part of Blackpool's heritage.
This talk will explore the formation of the Regiment and some of its untold stories.
Forces Football
26 June 2025
Time: 18:00 – 19:30
Location: Meet up at Aspire Sports Hub, Garstang Road West, Poulton-le-Fylde FY3 7JH
Our Forces Football session offers currently serving, ex-forces and their families regular structured 7-aside football. We aim to promote the importance of an active lifestyle whilst allowing participants to engage in friendly competition including the opportunity to represent Blackpool FC at tournaments and fixtures against other armed forces teams. These sessions take place every Thursday at Aspire Sports Hub in Blackpool.
Coral Island Armed Forces Day
26 June 2025
Time: From 15:00
Location: The Buccaneer, Coral Island
Tickets: Booking is required, and a fully-refundable deposit of £5 to secure a place is required within 3 days of your booking, call 01253 922182. Bookings will be taken from 6th June.
As part of Armed Forces Week 2025, Coral Island will be putting on its annual event for veterans from the UK’s Armed Forces on Thursday 26 June from 15:00, with a complimentary two-course carvery and drink on arrival.
Fylde Memorial Arboretum
27 June 2025
Time: 11:00 – 12:30
Location: Millennium Grove, Moor Park Avenue, Blackpool, FY2 0LY
Founded by Don Aiken, a D-Day Veteran and located in the fields next to Moor park school, the Fylde Memorial Arboretum stands as an area of remembrance that provides the service associations, and the people of Blackpool and the Fylde, a place of peace and beauty in which to remember their fallen comrades and loved ones.
As part of Blackpool Armed Forces week, the Fylde Ex-Service Liaison Committee will host a service of dedication at the centre of the Memorial Arboretum's Glade area.
Spitfire Visitor Centre Hangar Open Day – Armed Forces Day 2025
28 June 2025
Time: 10:00–16:00
Location: Hangar 42 Spitfire Visitor Centre, Blackpool Airport, Squires Gate Lane, FY4 2QY
Tickets: Entry to H42 is FREE for serving members of the UK Armed Forces and Veterans and their family members upon production of ID such as MOD 90, Veterans badge etc. (Max 4 persons per party). Entry to the Spitfire Visitor Centre without a serving member of the UK Armed Forces or UK Veteran is charged at £10.00 Adults, Children 6-16 £5.00, age 5 and under Free. Concessions for Carers & Family tickets available via: https://planetoffers.co.uk/spitfire-visitor-centre-blackpool-half-price
Join us this Armed Forces Day at the Spitfire Visitor Centre to commemorate the vital role that our UK Armed Forces play.
The Spitfire Visitor Centre focuses on the Royal Air Force during World War Two and the vital role played by Groundcrews and Aircrews serving at RAF Squires Gate, Blackpool.
The team of volunteers will bring to life the realities of wartime Blackpool and the sacrifices made by Blackpool’s residents, in supporting the War effort, in the local Aircraft factories and across the resort.
Conditions: NO PETS ALLOWED, NO VIDEO RECORDERS/Filming & NO BACK PACKS or similar items permitted.
Free Car Parking on site, NAAFI Cafe and Disabled facilities will also be available in H42.
Wartime Exhibition Tour
28 June 2025
Time: from 10:30 – 11:30
Location: Showtown, (Entrance) Corner of Adelaide Street West and Bank Hey Street, Blackpool, FY1 4TQ
Tickets: - £5.00* *Event ticket does not include museum entry. For general admission prices, please visit www.showtownblackpool.co.uk.
Join Showtown curators as they explore our temporary exhibition, Wartime Blackpool.
They’ll give you a unique insight into the objects and collections on display as well as revealing extra stories that were discovered whilst creating this exhibition.
Armed Forces Garden Party
28 June 2025
Time: from 12:00 – 17:00
Location: Marton Institute, Oxford Square
The Marton Institute proudly hosts an Armed Forces Garden Party on National Armed Forces Day. Planned Activities:
- Children’s entertainer from 13:00 to 15:00
- Bouncy castle available all day
- Burgerhain open for food throughout the event
- Outdoor games
- Music
- Tombola
- Craft stalls
Entry: Free for all attendees
Sunday Morning Service & Parade
29 June 2025
Time: Assemble from 10:30 Service 11:00 Parade approx 11:30
Location: Blackpool Cenotaph/Promenade
Blackpool comes together to honour and unite Britain’s Armed Forces past, present and future in an emotional and fitting tribute to the Armed Forces Past, Present and Future.
Attending the service will be veteran’s associations, cadets, serving military as well as their friends, families and associates. Everyone is welcome to the service of appreciation that takes place within the grounds of Blackpool grade II listed War Memorial.
Following the service, Blackpool invites members of the Armed Forces, veterans and cadets to join in the military parade. Friends, family and members of the general public are invited to line the route, and cheer.
Those wanting to lay wreaths may do so after the service.
Armed Forces Week - Offers
Beach House Blackpool
Join us for a toast of gratitude all week long, and especially on Armed Forces Day, Saturday 28 June – a chance to come together, reflect, and raise a glass to our heroes. Special offer to Armed Forces veterans past and present of 10% off total bill during Armed Forces Week 9am-9pm on production of your Veterans Card.
Sandcastle Waterpark
Sandcastle Waterpark are proud to support our Armed Forces—past and present—with free entry for serving and retired personnel (with valid military ID).
Make it a family day out! Enjoy 50% off admission for up to 4 guests when you book online using code 'AFW25'. No need to book the free military ticket—just bring your ID on the day.
Valid: 25th–29th June
Please note: Offer available online only. Military ID required at admissions.
Backlot Cinema
Armed Forces will receive 20% off films during Armed Forces Week. The discount can be claimed in house at our tills. Unfortunately, the discount cants be used in conjunction with other discounts.
Blackpool Transport
Sailors, soldiers and other members of the military, past and present, can enjoy free bus and tram travel on the Fylde Coast on the 28 and 29 June.
With a series of events taking place in the area on Saturday and Sunday, Blackpool Transport is planning to play its part in recognising the huge sacrifices they’ve made while serving their country.
The travel offer is open to anyone carrying a valid ID, such as a Service ID card or a veteran’s badge/ ID card, and while it applies across the network, many will use it to help get to events such as a parade on the promenade and an Armed Services Garden Party.
Armed Forces Covenant
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated fairly and should not face disadvantages when seeking to access public or private goods and services in the UK.
The Covenant is a voluntary pledge. Organisations may choose to sign up in order to demonstrate their support for the Armed Forces Community and for the principles of the Covenant. All organisations – public, private or voluntary and small, medium or large – are welcome to sign the Covenant.”
Organisations can sign up here.
Step back in time
Did you know Blackpool maintained its tourism offer throughout World War Two and gave many holidaymakers, and soldiers on leave, a chance to temporarily escape and forget the horrors of war? The town also had two operational RAF airfields and even manufactured bomber aircraft.
Heritage Blackpool has been working closely with Blackpool Gazette, a local newspaper which has been delivering and reporting on life and events in Blackpool for over 100 years, to archive important moments in history for us to view in years to come.
In 2020, Blackpool Gazette kindly provided more than 120 digitised images of Blackpool during WW2 from their archive – and you can view them for free! These photos offer a glimpse into the past to see how the UK’s most loved seaside resort played a crucial role throughout the war. Discover Blackpool’s war-time history here.
How can children get involved?
There are plenty of opportunities for children to learn all about World War I and World War II. We have uploaded some colouring sheets below which are a useful way to introduce the importance of veterans and our Armed Forces to your little one. All you need to do is download and print. Happy colouring!
