Preparations Intensify For Armed Forces Day Event In 2026

Preparations for Armed Forces Day 2026, set to take place in Coleraine, are gathering momentum as Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council works closely with military partners to shape one of Northern Ireland’s most significant civic events next summer.

The update to be shared next week with the council’s Leisure and Development Committee outlines a coordinated programme of planning designed to bring thousands of visitors to Coleraine on 20 June 2026.

Armed Forces Day was formally supported by councillors in December 2023, with members highlighting its role in honouring serving personnel, veterans, cadets and military families while boosting local tourism and trade.  

A key feature of the planning so far has been monthly meetings between council officials — including Democratic Services and the Tourism Events Team — and senior staff from the Ministry of Defence (MOD), representing the Army, Royal Navy and RAF.

These sessions are forming the backbone of preparations, ensuring early decisions on programming, logistics and military participation. As the planning matures, additional agencies will join the process to support operations, safety and event delivery.  

The collaborative approach is helping to shape a broad programme of activities. Recent discussions indicate a strengthened RAF presence within the military exhibition area, with the Ulster Aviation Society expressing interest in providing retired aircraft for display. An RAF flypast application has already been submitted, with confirmation expected in March 2026.

The Royal Navy has encouraged the council to apply for aviation support which may include helicopters or vessels, while the Army has confirmed receipt of requests for military bands, including the Band of the Royal Irish. Enhancements to ceremonial elements such as the Drumhead Service are also being considered.  

Council officers are continuing to review previous Armed Forces Day formats, aiming to build an enhanced visitor experience. One idea under consideration is a thematic link to the US 250th Anniversary in 2026, adding an international dimension to the event’s presentation.  

Assessments of venue suitability and capability are currently being undertaken. Council Officers, together with MOD and partner agencies, are exploring potential new event spaces, including the Market Yard adjacent to Coleraine Town Centre, playing fields at Coleraine Grammar School, and locations along the River Bann near the Waterside and Christie Park.

A public-facing “soft launch” of the event is expected from mid-March 2026, coordinated by the council’s Corporate PR team.

Early transport planning includes park-and-ride services from Rugby Avenue and potentially Ulster University, complemented by rail travel promotions through Translink.