Join Our Armed Forces Celebrations: Here's everything you need to know!

Celebrate Armed Forces Day in Stockton on Saturday (June 20) with a packed programme of family-friendly activities, live entertainment and tributes to serving personnel, veterans and cadets.

Set in the stunning surroundings of the new Stockton Waterfront urban park and the Riverside, highlights include an RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight fly-past, live music and performances, military vehicles and displays, and a thanksgiving service in the park's amphitheatre.

Councillor Lisa Evans, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Leader and the Borough's Armed Forces Champion, said: "Armed Forces Day is a great opportunity for the people of the Borough to join us in honouring all the brave men and women currently serving our country, and this year's event in Stockton is set to be extremely popular.

"We're expecting thousands of people to head to the town to show their support for our armed forces past and present, and I truly can't think of a better event to launch the fantastic new Waterfront urban park - so make sure to come along for what promises to be a wonderful day!

"And don't forget, there's plenty more for families to enjoy on Sunday 21 June, with a continuation of all the fun in Finkle Square, including the large marquee with community activities and pop-up performances and buskers, as well as the funfair on the Riverside."  

Here's your go-to guide for enjoying every moment of the jam-packed celebrations:

What's happening on the day and where?

Amphitheatre

• The Armed Forces Day thanksgiving service will take place from 10am to 10.35am in a large stage area, followed by a speech from the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham, Mr Michael Poole, alongside the Mayor, Salvation Army Band and a bugler
• A high-energy stage programme of entertainment will feature everything from traditional brass bands to community choirs and stand-out professional acts
• Renowned Thornaby folk band Cattle and Cane will also premiere 'Our Place' - a bespoke musical piece and performance, created with six local schools. School children and community singers will join them on stage for an unforgettable, celebratory performance (10.50am)
• Drill exhibitions and displays from the cadet forces

The Oval Lawn

• 'You and I' - a very special display of clay sculptures by over 1,000 school children from across the Borough. Led by Yarm School in collaboration with artist Mackenzie Thope, this display is over a year in the making and highlights the connection between the urban park and the next generation of residents
• The Community Art Wall - a huge 64-metre Community Art Wall including results of a community illustration and creative writing competition, with connections to the urban park
• Exhibitors and workshop leaders from the armed forces including the Royal British Legion, Royal Air Force Association and Air Cadets will join the celebrations, overlooking the Oval Lawn. There will also be a range of traditional military vehicles on display

Finkle Square and Finkle Garden

• Tea dance and other social participatory dances led by Urban Kaos and Jennifer Essex, local dance groups for community members and invited groups (10.45am, 12.30pm, 2.15pm)
• Craft workshops by PEG Creations creating origami planes representing the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aircraft
• A host of food and beverage concessions where you can purchase tasty treats
• A marquee providing seating/rest area for families
• Creative writing and reflection with poet Carmen Marcus
• Workshop with Bob Beagrie through poetry inspired by Andy's Man Club
• Activity with facilitator Adam Bligh, mapping where the Borough's veterans have served across the world

Main Play Area - Timber Towers

• Come and try out the exciting new feature play area! This area will also include interactive play, Adam Blake's Adventure Walks (11.30am and 1.30pm), street theatre and performances - a space for families to gather, have fun and be entertained

Riverside/River Tees

• Enjoy a funfair with rides, stalls, and a 22-metre-high Ferris Wheel. There will also be food concessions including a traditional ice cream van, gyros and churros at the fair
• A display of military vehicles
• Flotilla on the River Tees (12 noon)
• Darryl Carrington's comedy circus show 'Tennish' (11.30am, 1.00pm and 2.30pm)
• Cadet Forces will take part in a competitive rowing race on the river and there will be a water rescue demonstration by Stockton Sea Cadets (4.30pm)

Air Display 

• The dramatic ceremonial flypast of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, to commemorate the event is set to take place in the early evening, be sure not to miss it! A flurry of fireworks will then bring the Armed Forces Day celebrations to a close at 7.30pm.

Are the Armed Forces Day celebrations free?

Yes, the activities, displays and live entertainment are all free to enjoy. Please note though, the funfair on the Riverside is independently operated and will be charging for rides.

What will there be to eat and drink?

There's something to tickle everyone's taste buds including fast food, Caribbean and Thai street food, vegetarian, toasties and parmos, gyros and churros, ice creams, cakes and bakes, speciality coffees, cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks from traders including; Twisted Chick, Alaminos, Jerk and Rum Street food, Tuk Tuk In, Parmorama, Tasty Tarts, Bethanies, The Hive Bar, Cocktail Box van, Pacaccino, Pam's Ice.  

What's happening on Sunday?

There's plenty more for families to enjoy on Sunday (21 June), with a continuation of all the fun in Finkle Square, including the large marquee with community activities and pop-up performances and buskers, as well as the fun fair on the Riverside.  

Events and activities will take place showcasing how the urban park can be used by community groups in the future, such as walking groups, workshops and dog-friendly events. 

Group-led walks taking place throughout the day include The Big Toddle 1.3m walk (10am), group-led dog walk led by local business Wags and Whiskers (10.30am), Silent Steppers, a community wellbeing organisation that combines walking, music, dance and mindset coaching through silent disco fitness sessions (12pm to 1.30pm) and The Tees Valley Nature Partnership Tees Nature Walk, heading down to the Tees Barrage, before returning to the  amphitheatre (2.15pm).

The People's Wall will also continue to be on display where visitors can be inspired by local artists and the history of the site, add their own contributions and share their stories onto the wall.

What's the best way to get there and where can I park?

Visitors are encouraged to choose low-carbon, healthy transport options such as  walking, cycling or utilising public transport where possible. Stockton town centre is well served by buses from across the Tees Valley. Visit the Connect Tees Valley website to see timetables and a list of all temporary changes to bus stops.

Stockton Train Station is a five-minute walk from the town centre (0.5 miles). Thornaby Train Station is just across the river, a 15 minute walk to the town centre (0.8 miles) and there are frequent buses from outside the station as well as a taxi rank.

There is ample car parking within easy walking distance to Stockton town centre. Please see Find a car park in Stockton-on-Tees for a list of the available car parks, including options for blue badge holders, along with any road and parking restrictions in-place. We encourage visitors to car share where possible.

I need more information, where should I go?

For more information on the Armed Forces Day celebrations, including a full schedule of events, click on Visit Tees Valley and follow our social media channels for updates and more.