Armed Forces Week, taking place from the 24-30 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
24 June 2024
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.
Coral Island Armed Forces Week
27 June 2024
Location: The Buccaneer, Coral Island
Tickets: Booking is required, and a fully-refundable deposit of £5 to secure a place call 01253 922182
Coral Island will be putting on its annual event for veterans from the UK’s Armed Forces on Thursday 27 June, with a complimentary two-course carvery, The Buccaneer’s a full three-meat carvery, and a seasonal dessert, and a drink upon arrival.
It is expected to be a popular event, so booking is required, and a fully-refundable deposit of £5 to secure a place, which can be done by calling 01253 922182. Deposits will be returned on the day.
We hope that you will all come and join us in showing support to our brave servicemen and women this June and that our invited Armed Forces personnel and veterans enjoy our complimentary hospitality as a token of our gratitude for the work they have done for the UK. We hope that you will all come and join us in showing support to our brave servicemen and women this June and that our invited Armed Forces personnel and veterans enjoy our complimentary hospitality as a token of our gratitude for the work they have done for the UK.
Fylde Memorial Arboretum
28 June 2024
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
29 June 2024
Time: 10:00–16:00
Location: Hangar 42 Spitfire Visitor Centre, Blackpool Airport, Squires Gate Lane, FY4 2QY
Tickets: 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 per party). All other tickets are £10.00 Adults, Children 6-16 £5.00, age 5 and under Free.
Join us this Armed Forces Day for a range of activities and displays taking place at the Spitfire Visitor Centre to commemorate the vital role that the UK Armed Forces have played in the past, are currently taking part in and their potential roles in the future.
The Spitfire Visitor Centre this year focuses on the Royal Air Force in World War Two and the vital part played by Groundcrews and Aircrews serving at RAF Squires Gate.
The team of volunteers will bring to life the realities of wartime Blackpool and the sacrifices made by the Blackpool’s residents, in supporting the War effort, in the local Aircraft factories and across the resort.
Additional Charges apply to Cockpit Access photos and virtual reality experiences.
Conditions: NO PETS ALLOWED, NO VIDEO RECORDERS/Filming & NO BACK PACKS or similar items permitted.
Free Car Parking on site and Disabled facilities in H42.
Armed Forces Garden Party
29 June 2024
Time: from 13:00
Location: Marton Institute, Oxford Square
The Marton Institute proudly hosts an Armed Forces Garden Party on National Armed Forces Day. Including: Outdoor bar, drinks offers for service personnel, live entertainment, bouncy castle and kids entertainment. Free entry for all!
Sunday Morning Service & Parade
30 June 2024
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, cheer and wave their Union Flags.
Those wanting to lay wreaths may do so after the service.
Blackpool Football Club Community
Blackpool FC Community Trust are proud to host a range of Armed Forces events throughout the year.
Veterans Breakfast Club
Date: Every first Tuesday of the month, 9am–10:45am
Location: @TheGrange, Bathurst Avenue, FY3 7RW
Forces Football
Date: Thursdays, 6pm-7.30pm
Location: Aspire Sports Hub, FY3 7JH
Gardening Club
Date: First Tuesday of the month (April – November), 11.30am- 12.30pm
Location: Fylde Memorial Arboretum, FY2 0LZ
NAAFI Break
Date: Wednesdays, 10:30am – 12pm
Location: The Corner Flag, Bloomfield Road
If you require a breakfast sandwhich (bacon, sausage, vegan, egg) or fruit ordering, please call or leave a text message with Ian McCleary on 07756854034 by close of play Friday 21st June 2024, 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 or coffee.
Following this, there is a Football Club Tour from 12pm – 1pm at no cost.
Veterans Walk & Talk
Date: Thursdays, 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Location: Blackpool Cricket Club, FY3 9EQ
For more information and details, please click here.
Please note that there will be live filming and photography at this event. Any pictures provided maybe used by VisitBlackpool for promotional purposes. If you do not wish to be included, please contact VisitBlackpool Web Team
Armed Forces Week Offers and Discounts
This year, Blackpool businesses are saying thank you to serving military personnel and veterans with an range of discounts to some of Blackpool's best loved attractions.
Merlin have a number of Blackpool attractions in resort, and are offering tickets for £10 for personnel and up to four guests.
Terms and conditions apply, please click here to read (opens in a new window).
Merlin Blackpool Offers
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The Blackpool Tower Circus,
Ballroom & Tower Eye
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The Blackpool Tower Dungeon
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SEA LIFE Blackpool
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Madame Tussuads
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The Backlot Diner.
Newly opened in Blackpool alongside the IMAX cinema, the American diner servces delicous wings, burgers, hot dogs and amazing shakes. For more details on the diner, click here.
Offer: 20% discount to Military Staff. Please show Diner staff your Military ID when you are there for your discount. Offer runs until 1st July 2024
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!
