Remembrance Sunday is 8 November. Cheltenham's service at the Promenade war memorial has begun at 10.50am two years running; veterans form up at 10.35am.

Remembrance Sunday 2026 falls on 8 November, and Armistice Day on Wednesday 11 November. Cheltenham’s civic service is at the war memorial in the Long Gardens on the Promenade. It has followed the same timetable for at least the last two years: the service starts at 10.50am, the two-minute silence is at 11am, and a march past goes by the Municipal Offices afterwards. The council has not yet published its 2026 announcement. In both 2024 and 2025 it came out in the first week of November.

The quick answer

Sunday 8 November 2026, at the war memorial in the Long Gardens, Promenade. On the 2024 and 2025 pattern, the service begins at 10.50am, the two-minute silence is at 11am, and ex-service personnel who want to march form up at 10.35am in front of the shops and bus stops on the Promenade. The 2026 details are not yet confirmed. We will update this page when the council publishes them.

What happens, on last year’s pattern

This is what Cheltenham Borough Council set out for Sunday 9 November 2025 (Cheltenham Borough Council, 3 November 2025, archived):

  • 10.35am: ex-service personnel who want to join the parade and march past form up in front of the shops and bus stops on the Promenade.
  • 10.50am: the service begins at the war memorial.
  • 11am: a lone trumpeter plays the Last Post, then the two-minute silence.
  • After the Reveille come prayers, hymns and the national anthem, played by Cheltenham Silver Band with the Cheltenham Choral Society.
  • The mayor lays the first wreath, followed by civic dignitaries, councillors and representatives of local organisations.
  • Then the parade and march past, watched by the civic party from the dais in front of the Municipal Offices.

The 2024 service, on Sunday 10 November, ran to the same times: 10.35am form-up, 10.50am start and the silence at 11am (Cheltenham Borough Council, 7 November 2024, archived).

Who takes part

In 2025 the parade included the Cheltenham branch of the Royal British Legion, veterans, the Cheltenham Royal Naval Association, the Royal Observer Corps, 501 Squadron RAuxAF from RAF Brize Norton, the ARRC and the Joint Services Signals Unit. Navy, army and RAF cadets marched too, along with St John Ambulance cadets, the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, and scouts, cubs, guides and brownies.

The council also live-streamed the 2025 service on its YouTube channel and published an order of service to download.

Armistice Day and the Field of Remembrance

In 2025 the council also held a pause at 11am on Armistice Day, 11 November, with a two-minute silence and short service. It asked businesses, shops and offices to stop for the silence. A Field of Remembrance was dedicated in the Long Gardens next to the war memorial, where people could plant small crosses for loved ones. It stayed in place until Friday 14 November. In 2026, 11 November is a Wednesday.

Getting there

The service and march past take place on the Promenade, in front of the Long Gardens and the Municipal Offices. The council has not published any road closures for 2026. Our roadworks and travel page carries temporary closures as they are notified. Parking is on our parking in Cheltenham page. Three council car parks are free on Sundays.

Also in November

Still to confirm

The 2026 announcement: the mayor taking the salute, the order of service, any road closures, and the Armistice Day and Field of Remembrance arrangements. In the last two years the council published these on 3 November (2025) and 7 November (2024). We will check from late October. For event enquiries, the council has named the mayor’s office as the contact in past years.

Checked on 25 September 2026 against Cheltenham Borough Council’s 2024 and 2025 announcements.