The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance is our annual commemoration held at the Royal Albert Hall, to honour the service and sacrifices made by the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces community.
In the presence of Their Majesties The King and Queen, personal testimonies, storytelling, music and performances express the nation’s gratitude to serving personnel, veterans and their families. The production also marks the sacrifices of those who have defended our freedoms and why it is important to always remember the vital contribution of the Armed Forces community.
Key elements in this year's Festival
- 15 years since the end of Op TELIC
We mark the service of the men and women of our Armed Forces who joined the US-led Coalition in the invasion of Iraq in March 2003. Many completed multiple tours during Operation TELIC, making Iraq a defining experience for a generation of Armed Forces veterans and their families. Tragically, 179 personnel lost their lives in the operation which ended 15 years ago. Poignant letters sent home from Iraq will be recited during the evening.
- Remembering Operations in Bosnia
We will hear testimonies from British military personnel who were deployed as part of the international peace-support operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In these operations 59 British personnel lost their lives and many came home with memories of the destruction and suffering they had witnessed.
- The Gulf War – 35 years on
Operation GRANBY was the UK’s contribution to the 1990-91 Gulf War, launched after Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990. More than 50,000 British Armed Forces personnel were deployed, and three will share their memories of the operation and remember their 47 comrades who did not return home.
Where can I watch the Festival of Remembrance?
The Festival of Remembrance will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday 7 November at 9pm.
Accessible commentary will be available on BBC iPlayer, and a version with British Sign Language will also be available on Red Button and iPlayer.
Tickets for both performances of the 2026 Festival of Remembrance have now sold out and will not be on sale to the general public.
FAQs
Posting Tickets
When will members receive their tickets?
Can tickets be transferred to another member if the original member cannot attend?
I haven’t received my booking confirmation email, what should I do?
I have lost my ticket – is it possible to receive this again?
Are my tickets transferable?
Can I change my guest(s)?
Can I cancel my booking?
On the Day
At what time should I arrive at the Royal Albert Hall for the Festival of Remembrance?
The afternoon performance commences at 2pm and is scheduled to finish by 3.45pm. Doors open at 12.30pm and we request that everyone is seated by 1.30pm at the latest to assist with security and stewarding.
The evening performance commences at 7pm and is scheduled to finish by 8.45pm. Doors open at 5pm and we request that everyone is seated by 6.30pm at the latest to assist with security and stewarding.
Will security searches be carried out?
Everyone attending either performance will be subject to a security search which may take some time, and so please ensure that you allow enough time to get into the Royal Albert Hall before the performance starts. Baggage must be kept to a minimum as excessive baggage will slow down the search points and delay entry. Additionally, please do not bring any pocket or pen knives or sharp objects as they will be confiscated at security and not guaranteed to be returned.
The Royal Albert Hall baggage restrictions are as follows:
- One bag per person
- Must fit under your seat
- Should not exceed 25L
- Capacity is approximately 40cm x 30xm x 20cm
Do I need to bring ID verification?
Ticket holders will need to bring with them photographic ID and their ticket for access to the Royal Albert Hall via police search entry points on the day. If ticket holders do not have access to photographic ID, they may bring two utility bills (proof of address) with them.
Acceptable photographic ID is as follows:
- Passport
- Driving licence
- MOD ID card
- Government issued ID card
Is there a dress code?
How can I purchase a Festival of Remembrance souvenir programme?
Travel
What is the best route to the Royal Albert Hall via public transport?
Can I be dropped off at the Royal Albert Hall?
Yes – if anyone in your group needs to be dropped off, or is arriving by taxi, there are two drop off points:
- Primary drop off - Exhibition Road junction with Prince Consort Road (step-free access)
- Alternative drop off - Queen’s Gate junction with Prince Consort Road
- Please note that Prince Consort Road and Kensington Road will be closed and there will be no parking available in the vicinity
Is there parking (including for blue badge holders)?
For this event, there is no vehicle parking outside the Royal Albert Hall, including our own accessible parking area. Information about alternative roadside Blue Badge parking bays, as well as Westminster City Council’s Blue Badge rules, which differ from the rest of the UK, can be found on the Westminster City Council parking website.
A limited number of pre-booked parking spaces are available at the nearby Imperial College Car Park, from one hour before the event start time. The entrance and exit to the car park are on Exhibition Road. From there, it is 350m to the step-free assistance point.
Will the Festival of Remembrance be broadcast in 2026?
Accessibility
Is there a drop off point with step-free access?
If you require step-free access, you must arrive via the primary drop off on Exhibition Road / Prince Consort Road. Assistance will be provided by our support staff from the drop-off point to Gate 3. Please note, drop off in other areas, including Kensington Gore, may result in a longer route around the event cordon and is therefore discouraged.
For all information about accessibility at the Royal Albert Hall, please visit their dedicated Access Guide.
