Armed forces celebratory and commemorative events
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.
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.
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
If you know a significant event that is missing, contact civic.office@kent.gov.uk.
There are no events planned for April.
| Date and time | Event details | Type of event | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
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8 May 2020 11am to 7:30pm | VE Day 75 Celebrations Millenium Hall and Recreation Ground Elm Close Egerton Ashford TN27 9DS | Public | |
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8 May 2020 11am | VE Day 75 Celebrations, Bethersden Celebration and Entertainment George Field Bethersden | Public | |
| 8 May 2020 12pm onwards | VE Day 75 Celebrations Nettlestead Village Hall Maidstone Road Nettlestead ME18 5ER | Public | |
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8 May 2020 1pm to 4pm | VE Day 75 Celebrations, Vintage Village Fete High Halden Village Green Ashford Road/ Church Hill High Halden TN26 3LP | Public | |
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8 May 2020 1pm | VE Day 75 Celebrations, Bethersden Sandwich Community | Public | |
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8 May 2020 1:30pm to 7pm | Brenchley and Matfield Parish Picnic Brenchley Centenary Field and Memorial Hall Brenchley Road Brenchley TN12 7NX | Public | Brenchley and Matfield Parish Council |
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8 May 2020 1:30pm | VE Day 75 Celebrations The Council Office Oaklands Stade Street Hythe CT21 6BG | Public | Hythe Town Council |
8 May 2020 2pm to 4pm | Unique Nations Toast Dover Castle Castle Hill Dover CT16 1HU | Private | Stacey Clark |
8 May 2020 2pm to 7pm | VE Day 75 Celebrations, Picnic in the Park Recreation Ground St Mildred's Road Minster Ramsgate CT12 4DE | Public | Minster Parish Council and Minster and Monkton RBL Cllr Penny Gimes |
8 May 2020 2:45pm to 7pm | VE Day 75 Celebrations, street party St Mary's Square Eltham CT4 6TT | All members of Eltham village | |
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8 May 2020 3pm | VE Day 75 Celebrations, afternoon tea and toast to the veterans The Town Hall 1 - 2 Guildhall Street Folkestone CT20 1DY | Private | Toni Brenchley toni.brenchley@folkestone-tc.gov.uk |
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8 May 2020 3pm to 9:50pm | VE Day 75 Celebrations, Hartley Remembers Hartley War Memorial Ash Road Hartley DA3 8BQ Then onto, Manor Field Sports Pavilion Church Road Hartley DA3 8DT | Public | |
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8 May 2020 5:30pm to 9pm | VE Day 75 Celebrations, Proms in the Market Place The Market Place Faversham ME13 7AE | Public | |
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8 May 2020 Time to be confirmed | VE Day 75 Celebrations High Street | Private | Angela Grant |
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8 May 2020 8pm to 12am | VE Day 75 Celebrations The Olympic Beechenlea Lane Swanley BR8 8DR | Public | Swanley Town Council Kerry Rose |
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8 May 2020 Time to be confirmed | VE Day 75 Commemorations Gravesend | Public | To be confirmed |
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9 May 2020 7pm | VE Day 75 Celebrations, Bethersden Film Show Bethersden Village Hall Bethersden TN26 3AF | Public | |
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9 May 2020 7pm to 12am | VE Day 75 Celebrations Millenium Hall and Recreation Ground Elm Close Egerton Ashford TN27 9DS | Public | |
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9 May 2020 11am to 5pm | 1940s Day The Dip The Parade Minnis Bay Birchington CT7 9NQ | Public | |
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10 May 2020 2pm | VE Day 75 Celebrations, Bethersden Celebration Service Bethersden Parish Church The Street Bethersden Ashford TN26 3BT | Public | |
| 10 May 2020 12pm to 4pm | VE Day 75 Celebrations Swanscombe Park Park Road Swanscombe DA10 0JQ | Public |
| Date and time | Event details | Type of event | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 June 2020 11am | D-Day Garden of Remembrance Sandgate Road Folkestone CT20 2DA | Public | Toni Brenchley toni.brenchley@folkestone-tc.gov.uk |
| 22 June 2020 12:30pm | Armed Forces Day - Flying the Flag Community Square Gravesend | Public | To be confirmed |
| 23 June 2020 10am | Armed Forces Day County Hall Maidstone Kent ME14 1XQ | Public | Civic Office civic.office@kent.gov.uk |
| 27 June 2020 11am to 4pm | Armed Forces Day Swanley Recreation Ground St Mary's Road Swanley Kent BR8 7BU | Public | Toni Roast |
| 28 June 2020 11am | Armed Forces Day Address to be confirmed | Public | Vicky Deakin vicky.deakin@folkestone-tc.gov.uk |
| Date and time | Event details | Type of event | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2020 11am | Canada Day Shorncliffe Military Cemetery Folkestone TN27 9DS | Public | Toni Brenchley toni.brenchley@folkestone-tc.gov.uk |
| 11 July 2020 11am | Armed Forces Day The Town Hall High Street Hythe CT21 5JU | Public | Terry Reene |
There are no events planned for August.
| Date and time | Event details | Type of event | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
15 September 2020 5:45pm | Battle of Britain Day The RAF Memorial The Leas Folkestone CT18 7JJ | Public | Toni Brenchley toni.brenchley@folkestone-tc.gov.uk |
| 26 and 27 September 2020 Various times throughout the day | Hope and Glory, Wartime Re-lived Fort Gardens Gravesham DA12 2BH | Public | To be confirmed |
There are no events planned for October.
| Date and time | Event details | Type of event | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 November 2020 2pm | Dedication of Garden of Remembrance Garden of Remembrance Sandgate Road Folkestone CT20 2DA | Public | Toni Brenchley toni.brenchley@folkestone-tc.gov.uk |
8 November 2020 10:30am | Remembrance Sunday The War Memorial The Leas Folkestone CT18 7JJ | Public | Toni Brenchley toni.brenchley@folkestone-tc.gov.uk |
| 8 November 2020 10:30am | Remembrance Day The Town Hall High Street Hythe CT21 5JU | Public | Hythe Town Council Terry Reene 01303 266152terry.reene@hythe-tc.gov.uk |
| 11 November 2020 11am | Machine Gun Corps Cheriton Road Cemetery Folkestone CT20 1DF | Public | Trevor Mays truckintrev@live.co.uk |
| 11 November 2020 11am | Remembrance Service Community Square Gravesend DA12 1AT | Public | To be confirmed |
There are no events planned for December.