Cleethorpes Armed Forces Weekend 2026: Full Event Guide for the Last Weekend in June

Cleethorpes Armed Forces Weekend 2026 is set to return for the last weekend in June, bringing one of the biggest events of the year back to the resort.

Taking place from Friday 26 June to Sunday 28 June 2026, the weekend will include flying displays, military parades, live entertainment, markets, family activities, showground events and a fantastic atmosphere across Cleethorpes.

The event celebrates the UK’s Armed Forces community, including serving personnel, veterans, reservists, cadets, military families and everyone connected with the Armed Forces. It is also one of the busiest weekends in the Cleethorpes calendar, attracting visitors from across Lincolnshire and beyond.

When Is Cleethorpes Armed Forces Weekend 2026?

Cleethorpes Armed Forces Weekend 2026 takes place across three days:

📅 Friday 26 June 2026
📅 Saturday 27 June 2026
📅 Sunday 28 June 2026

The main event areas include Cleethorpes Seafront, Lower Kingsway, the Boating Lake area and Meridian Showground.

The weekend is free to attend, although some individual entertainment, food, drink, stalls, rides or special activities may have their own charges.

What to Expect at Armed Forces Weekend in Cleethorpes

Cleethorpes Armed Forces Weekend is one of the resort’s biggest annual events, with activity taking place across the whole area.

Visitors can expect a packed weekend of:

• Military parades
• Flying displays and flypasts
• Live music and stage entertainment
• Markets and trade stalls
• Family activities
• Military displays
• Showground events
• Pipe bands and choirs
• Food, drink and entertainment across the resort

The weekend is a brilliant opportunity to support the Armed Forces community while enjoying a busy seaside event in Cleethorpes.

Friday 26 June 2026 Event Programme

Friday marks the opening day of Cleethorpes Armed Forces Weekend, with markets, activities and entertainment beginning across the resort.

Friday Timetable

12pm – Markets and activities open across the whole resort
12pm – Meridian Showground opens to the public
12pm – Stage: Linkage
1.30pm – Stage: Clee Academy
3.15pm – Stage: Friendship at Home Choir
6pm – Stage: Blaze Youth Theatre
7pm – Meridian Showground and activities close
7.15pm – Stage: The Rolling Mondays
9pm – Stage area closes

Friday is a great day to explore the resort, enjoy the entertainment and get settled in before the busier Saturday programme.

Saturday 27 June 2026 Event Programme

Saturday is the main day of Cleethorpes Armed Forces Weekend 2026, with parades, flying activity, stage entertainment and the Armed Forces and Veterans Concert taking place throughout the day.

Saturday Timetable

10am – Event opens across the resort, including Meridian Showground
10am – SSAFA Village enclosure at Meridian Showground: Military Wives’ Choir
10.45am – Stage: Artiez
11.15am – Vehicle and motorcycle parade starts from Cleethorpes Pier
12 noon – Flying activity: Chinook flypast
12 noon – Stage: C.A.T.S Creative Arts Theatre School
12.15pm – Flying activity: Typhoon display
12.45pm – Military personnel parade
1.15pm – Flying activity: RAF BBMF Spitfire display
1.30pm – Stage: Next Theatre Group
2pm – SSAFA Village enclosure: Military Wives’ Choir
2.30pm – Stage: All 4 One Choir
2.30pm – Remembrance Gate: RAF Waddington Pipe Band
3pm – Flying activity: RAF Tutor
3.30pm – Remembrance Gate: Army Band Catterick
4pm – Stage: Kennedy
5pm – Remembrance Gate: NE Lincs Pipe Band
5pm – Associated British Ports Community Stage and arena area closes
5.50pm – 6.10pm – Remembrance Gate: March on, Sunset Parade and March off
7pm – Meridian Showground closes
7pm – 10.20pm – Armed Forces and Veterans Concert: Twist and Shout Show, supported by Ian Latimer

Saturday Vehicle and Motorcycle Parade Route

The vehicle and motorcycle parade starts at Cleethorpes Pier and travels from Central Prom, Kingsway and Kings Road before finishing at Meridian Showground.

Saturday Military Personnel Parade Route

The military personnel parade starts from Knoll Street and travels along High Cliff Road and Central Prom, finishing at Cleethorpes Pier.

Saturday Night Armed Forces and Veterans Concert

On Saturday evening, visitors can enjoy the Armed Forces and Veterans Concert featuring the Twist and Shout Show, supported by Ian Latimer.

The concert takes place from 7pm to 10.20pm, with wristbands priced at £2 per person.

Wristbands are available from Blighty’s up to Wednesday 24 June, and then from the Meridian Showground box office during Armed Forces Weekend.

Sunday 28 June 2026 Event Programme

Sunday is the final day of Cleethorpes Armed Forces Weekend 2026, with more entertainment, flying activity and family-friendly events across the resort.

Sunday Timetable

10am – Event opens at Lower Kingsway, Boating Lake area and Meridian Showground
10am – SSAFA Village stage: Military Wives’ Choir
12 noon – Stage: Military Wives’ Choir
2pm – SSAFA Village stage: Military Wives’ Choir
3pm – Flying activity: RAF BBMF display, including Spitfire
3.30pm – Flying activity: RAF Tutor display
4pm – Flying activity: RAF Typhoon
5.15pm – Stage area and main event closes

Sunday is a brilliant day to visit if you want to enjoy the final part of the weekend, watch the flying displays and soak up the atmosphere before the event comes to a close.

Flying Displays at Cleethorpes Armed Forces Weekend 2026

Flying activity is one of the biggest highlights of Armed Forces Weekend in Cleethorpes.

The 2026 programme includes displays and flypasts from aircraft such as the Chinook, RAF Typhoon, RAF Tutor and RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire.

Flying display times can be affected by weather, aircraft availability and operational requirements, so visitors should always check for updates before travelling.

Best Places to Visit During Armed Forces Weekend

The event takes place across several key areas of Cleethorpes, so visitors can explore different parts of the resort throughout the weekend.

Cleethorpes Seafront

The seafront is one of the busiest and most atmospheric places to be during Armed Forces Weekend. It is a popular area for watching the crowds, enjoying the promenade and seeing parts of the flying activity.

Cleethorpes Pier and Central Promenade

Cleethorpes Pier and Central Promenade are key areas for the Saturday parades, with the vehicle and motorcycle parade starting from the Pier and the military personnel parade finishing nearby.

Lower Kingsway

Lower Kingsway will be an important part of the 2026 event, with activity taking place around this area across the weekend.

Boating Lake Area

The Boating Lake area is expected to be a busy location, especially on Sunday when the event opens around Lower Kingsway, the Boating Lake area and Meridian Showground.

Meridian Showground

Meridian Showground is one of the main event locations, with showground activity, entertainment, SSAFA Village, military displays, community areas and the Saturday evening concert.

Is Cleethorpes Armed Forces Weekend Free?

Yes, Cleethorpes Armed Forces Weekend is a free event to attend.

Visitors can enjoy the parades, flying displays, markets, entertainment and family-friendly atmosphere across the resort. Some specific activities, stalls, food, drink, rides or ticketed entertainment may have separate costs.

Tips for Visiting Cleethorpes Armed Forces Weekend

Cleethorpes is expected to be very busy during Armed Forces Weekend, especially on Saturday.

If you are planning to visit, it is worth arriving early, allowing extra time for parking and checking the latest event updates before travelling. Public transport, road closures and traffic may also be busier than usual across the weekend.

Visitors should also be prepared for large crowds along the seafront, promenade, Pier area, Lower Kingsway, Boating Lake and Meridian Showground.

Accommodation for Cleethorpes Armed Forces Weekend 2026

Because Armed Forces Weekend is one of the biggest events in Cleethorpes, accommodation can book up quickly.

If you are planning to stay in Cleethorpes for the weekend, it is best to book early, especially if you want to be close to the seafront, promenade, Pier, town centre or Meridian Showground.

Cleethorpes is a popular place to stay for families, couples, groups and visitors attending the event from outside the area. Serviced accommodation, holiday homes, apartments, guest houses and hotels are likely to be in high demand over the last weekend in June.

Final Thoughts

Cleethorpes Armed Forces Weekend 2026 is set to be one of the biggest events of the summer.

Taking place from Friday 26 June to Sunday 28 June 2026, the weekend will bring together parades, flying displays, live music, markets, family activities, showground events and a fantastic seaside atmosphere.

Whether you are visiting for the full weekend, attending Armed Forces Day on Saturday, or heading to Cleethorpes for the final day on Sunday, this is one of the best weekends of the year to enjoy the resort and show your support for the Armed Forces community.