An extra special Portsmouth Armed Forces Day is happening on Saturday 20 June – this year celebrating our forces heroes and Portsmouth’s 100 years as a city.
A packed schedule will see Spitfires soar, a Royal Navy parachute jump and a huge array of military events, vehicles and displays, with entertainment for the whole family.
The free community day runs from 10am – 4pm on Southsea Common and is always hugely popular, attracting thousands of visitors.
Photo from space for Portsmouth100
This year visitors have the chance to be part of Portsmouth history. A photo will be captured from an Airbus space satellite of visitors forming the Portsmouth100 logo in the main arena.
Time: 11.49am (precise time when the satellite will pass over)
Portsmouth City Council organises the annual event and Leader Cllr Steve Pitt said:
“We are nearly at the halfway point of our big centenary celebrations, and what better event to create our own piece of history than Portsmouth Armed Forces Day.
“Knowing how loved this event is, I have no doubt thousands of people will want to be a part of it and the Portsmouth100 photo from space, as well coming to honour the country’s brave armed forces community, and enjoy a great, free event.”
Just some of the action planned:
- Air displays including an RAF Display Tutor and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight from a pair of Spitfires
- Royal Navy parachute jump
- Military parades and displays including veterans, cadets and service personnel
- Helicopters including Navy Wings’ Wasp and Gazelle brought by British Army 6AAC Army Air Corps along with other military vehicles
- Motorbikes from Royal British Legion Riders
- Multiple stalls including cadet groups, veterans, serving military and reserves groups providing free interactive activities for all the family
- Free children’s activities including a climbing wall provided by City of Portsmouth Scouts
- Field gun competitions for schools and cadet groups
- A paid funfair, food and refreshment stalls
- Live at the Bandstand music stage programmed by the Wedgewood Rooms
- Arts and Crafts from Seekers Creates
Sam Doody, Site Director, Airbus Space and Defence Portsmouth said:
“This will be a great celebration of Portsmouth’s historic 100 years as a city – and it will be fantastic to capture the moment from space with one of our satellites snapping the occasion – we now just have to hope it will be a cloud free day!”
BAE Systems is the headline sponsor of this year’s Portsmouth Armed Forces Day. BAE’s support has helped put on the biggest schedule of events and entertainment in the event’s history.
Scott Jamieson, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Maritime Services, said:
“We are incredibly proud to be able to support Portsmouth’s 2026 Armed Forces Day.
“The celebrations will provide a great opportunity to recognise the incredible contribution of our Armed Forces community and to show our support to those in service, veterans and their families.”
A successful bid from a Ministry of Defence grant has also supported the event programme.