Armed forces celebratory and commemorative events
Every year there are a variety of events throughout the year and across the county celebrating Kent’s military heritage and commemorating the service of men and women in our armed forces throughout history.
80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day
2025 will mark the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day on 8 May and 15 August. It's an opportunity for the nation to come together to honour and pay tribute to the Second World War generation from across the UK and Commonwealth, through a series of national and local events and activities.
If you're planning on having a street party, attaching lightweight bunting or flags to our streetlights you need to apply for permission. See what to do.
100 years since World War 1
To mark 100 years since the start of World War 1, a timeline of Kent's residents' first-hand experiences in the First World War was created by volunteers using the archives at the Kent History and Archive Centre.
May 2021 marked the 100th anniversary of the Royal British Legion. Find out more on the British Legion website.
The Step Short Memorial, a memorial arch in Folkestone, was opened by Prince Harry in 2014 to remember the millions of men who passed through the Harbour on their way to battle.
Events calendar
Email civic.office@kent.gov.uk if you know about a significant event that is happening.
Date | Time | Event details | Type of event | Contact |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 10 May 2025 | - | Special VE 80 exhibition Gravesend Library | Public | Find out more about the Special VE 80 exhibition at Gravesend Library |
8 to 10 May 2025 | 10:30am to 3:30pm daily | VE Day in Maidstone Town Hall, Maidstone | Public | Ann-Marie Langley annmarielangley@maidstone.gov.uk |
10 May 2025 | 7:15pm to 9:30pm | VE Day 80 Anniversary Concert and Service of Remembrance All Saints Church, Mill Street, Maidstone ME15 6YE | Public | Ann-Marie Langley annmarielangley@maidstone.gov.uk |
11 May 2025 | 10am to 5pm | VE Day 80 Fort Gardens, Commercial Place, Gravesend DA12 2BH | Public | Gravesham Borough Council danielle.lock@gravesham.gov.uk |
18 May 2025 | 11am to 4pm | Victory in Europe Day Central Park, Market Street, Dartford DA1 1EU | Public | Dartford Borough Council leisure.services@dartford.gov.uk |
6 June 2025 | 11am | D-Day (NVA) Garden of Remembrance, Sandgate Road, Folkestone | Public | Georgina Wilson |
1 July 2025 | 11am | Canada Day Shorncliffe Military Cemetery, Folkestone | Public | Georgina Wilson |
15 August 2025 | 11am | VJ Day Garden of Remembrance, Sandgate Road, Folkestone | Public | Georgina Wilson |
15 August 2025 | 11am | VJ Day 80 Remembrance War Memorial, Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells | Public | Mayor’s Office mayor@tunbridgewells.gov.uk |
15 August 2025 | 8:30pm to 10pm | VJ Day Beacon Lighting Tonbridge Castle, Castle Street, Tonbridge TN9 1BG | Public | Tonbridge and Malling Council events@tmbc.gov.uk |
15 September 2025 | 5:45pm | Battle of Britain Day The RAF Memorial, The Leas, Folkestone | Public | Georgina Wilson |
2 November 2025 | 2pm | Dedication of Garden of Remembrance Garden of Remembrance, Sandgate Road, Folkestone | Public | Georgina Wilson |
9 November 2025 | 10:30am | The War Memorial, The Leas, Folkestone | Public | Georgina Wilson |
11 November 2025 | 11am | Machine Gun Corps Cheriton Road Cemetery, Folkestone | Public | Neil Jones neil.jones.mbcs@gmail.com |