The Ministry of Defence will provide up to £500,000 of funding for Armed Forces Day celebrations across the country this summer.
Organisations can apply for a grant of up to £10,000, to match their own funding, to help fund an Armed Forces Day event in their community. Armed Forces Day is on Saturday 27 June 2026.
Armed Forces Day events are hosted every year by local authorities, veterans’ organisations, schools, places of worship, charities and community groups.
Every year the Ministry of Defence provides £50,000 of funding to the hosts of the Armed Forces Day National Event and up to £450,000 in grants to community organisers across the country.
Wales is home to nearly 2,000 members of the UK Armed Forces. Llandudno hosted the Armed Forces Day national event in 2018 for an estimated 100,000 visitors. HRH The Princess Royal and the Prime Minister witnessed a parade by 1,000 members of the Armed Forces.
Secretary of State Jo Stevens said:
“Armed Forces Day is a chance for people across Wales to come together to show their support for the service men and women who we all rely on to keep us safe.
“These grants mean that communities can put on special events to celebrate the contribution of our Armed Forces and their families and thank them for their sacrifice.”
This year, the Armed Forces Day national event will be hosted by Rushmoor Borough Council in Aldershot and Farnborough – a region with historic ties to the Armed Forces community.
Event organisers are encouraged to register their event with the Ministry of Defence so it can be advertised on the Armed Forces Day website. Visitors can search for events in their area and find out dates, times and details.
The events must be free for members of the Armed Forces community to attend. Provided an event meets the wider aims of Armed Forces Day, it may be considered by the MOD for a grant to match the value of funding from other sources.
Full eligibility requirements are available on the Armed Forces Day website. Grant applications must be submitted by 31 March 2026.
