Leeds Armed Forces Day Festival

📍Various locations

These welcoming events are open to everyone—no military service required. Our past cafés have brought together members of the Armed Forces community, including local groups and residents from our sister homes. Whether you’ve served, know someone who has, or are simply interested, come along to enjoy a friendly atmosphere and support our veterans.  No need to book - just turn up.

Fri 19 June, 2:00–3:30pm: Craven Nursing Home, Skipton
Fri 17 July, 2:00–3:30pm: Steeton Court Nursing Home, Steeton
Fri 21 August, 2:00–3:30pm: Springbank Care Home, Silsden
Fri 18 September, 2:00–3:30pm: Ghyll Royd Care Home, Guiseley

📍Royal Armouries Museum Leeds

Explore thousands of incredible objects from the world’s finest collection of arms and armour, across five floors at Leeds Dock. In the War Gallery, you can explore the development of arms and armour from their earliest use to conflicts within living memory. This includes a new gallery display, Firefight: The Second World War. Through objects, imagery, and film, we explore the weapons, armour, ammunition types and methods of fighting developed by all sides to increase their chances of winning. Training and manufacturing are also explored – they would also prove key to the eventual Allied victory. Discover how our collection changed history and affected people’s lives.

Tuesday - Sunday 10:00am - 5:00pm 2026 until further notice

📍 Lotherton Hall

Bring your dancing shoes to our 1940s weekend, featuring vintage singers and military re-enactors. Enjoy children’s craft activities, outdoor games and space for family picnics. Dance on the lawn or relax and listen to live performances from Marina May and Luka Watabe, celebrating classic songs of the time. The event takes place outdoors in the gardens, with limited seating available. Please dress for all weather, as there is no covered area. Entry is included with general admission. Pre-booking is recommended. Bring your ticket (and membership pass if applicable) ready to show on your phone at entry.

Book for 20 June Book for 21 June

📍Leeds Utd, Elland Road

The Combat Café is a free weekly session that takes place at Elland Road exclusively for veterans, providing an opportunity to socialise and enjoy light exercise and along with other activities. Every session includes free breakfast sandwiches and hot drinks to all attendees. There are monthly trips and activities away from the stadium, as a well as regular guest speakers. 

Veterans can also benefit from support from our partner, Sporting Force, who attend the sessions. This is a drop-in session and there is no need to book. If you would like to find out more please contact fitleeds@leedsunited.com

📍Seacroft Community Forest Garden

Join Seacroft Community Forest Garden for a free Armed Forces celebration. Bring family and friends for an afternoon of live music, entertainment and activities for all ages, with fresh hot pizza available. Celebrate Armed Forces past and present in a welcoming community setting - everyone is invited. 

Sunday 20 June 1:00pm - 3:00pm

📍Leeds Minster

BThe annual Bligny Sunday commemorates the Battle of Bligny Ridge in July 1918, when the Leeds Rifles halted the German advance. Held on the nearest Sunday to the anniversary, the event includes a service at Leeds Minster followed by a wreath laying and remembrance at the war memorial on Kirkgate. The service is attended by The Lord Lieutenant, The Lord Mayor of Leeds and Civic Dignatories from the other Leeds Rifles recruiting areas. All are welcome to honour the gallantry and sacrifice of those from Leeds and surrounding areas, and their selfless contribution to enable the maintenance of the freedom we enjoy today.

Sunday 26 July 2026, 10:30am

📍Lawnswood Cemetery

Behind every name on a war grave or memorial at Lawnswood Cemetery is a human story waiting to be discovered!

Join us for a free tour of Lawnswood Cemetery to learn about the stories of some of our Second World War casualties who are buried there. Places are limited

Lawnswood, Sunday 5 July, 11:00am - 12:00pm , 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Book a tour

📍Leeds City Museum

As part of the Leeds’ Story gallery at Leeds City Museum, displays from the city’s collections include World War One and World War Two, in particular the Home Front.

Monday: closed (bank holidays 11:00am – 5:00pm)
Tuesday – Friday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: 11:00am – 5:00pm

Visit the museum website

📍Leeds Central Library

In support of Armed Forces Festival 2026, join us for this talk about the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The CWGC aims to commemorate those who have died in service as a result of conflict so that they are remembered forever. You can find out more about CWGC on their official website.

Thursday 9 July 2026, 2:00pm-3:30pm

Book tickets

📍Crossgates Library

Barnbow was the place of one of the key munitions factories during the World War One and was primality ran by women. This workshop will allow you the chance to engage with Leeds Libraries Special Collections items about the Barnbow Munitions Factory and Leeds in the First World War.

Wednesday 1 July 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Book a free ticket

📍Leeds Central Library
Do you have an ancestor who fought in WW1? This workshop will introduce you to useful websites and includes a hands-on session to get you started on your research.

27 June 2026, 2:00pm-3.00pm

Book a free ticket

📍Various Libraries
Join our team of Librarians to get up-close and personal with a curated selection of treasures from the Central Library collections, focusing on military history. There’ll be the chance to handle rare books from our archive, as well as the opportunity to chat with like-minded people about the region’s military history.

27 June 2026, 11:00am-12:00pm, Central Library
8 July 2026, 2:00pm-3:00pm, Morley

Book for 27 June Book for 8 July