East Hampshire Veterans Festival 2026
If you, or a family member, has served in the armed forces and looking for help, advice or support on anything, this is for you!
To celebrate and support our veterans and active‑duty armed forces in East Hampshire our successful Veterans Festival returns to Petersfield Festival Hall on Saturday 19 September 2026.
Our lively drop-in event is a chance for everyone to show their appreciation for armed forces personnel (past and present) and their families, for the value they bring to our communities.
Arranged in partnership between EHDC, Petersfield Town Council, and the Royal British Legion, the festival offers activities, guidance and information. Giving our serving and former military/defence personnel and their families a chance to meet up, chat and share experiences.
Come along and explore a range of information from national organisations, charities and local groups, providing support, advice, discussion, networking and friendship.
Open from 10am-3pm the drop-in festival will feature:
- Support services including childcare, employment, finance, housing, pensions and welfare support.
- Information on how to apply for a HM armed forces veteran card and various other discounts.
- A place to chat and a safe space for private conversations
- Refreshments
- Live entertainment
- Support and advice to stay safe and well
- information and practical advice from national and local organisations and groups
- and more.
Stallholders
We haven't formally finalised all of the exhibitors yet, however, If you are interested in having an information stall at the event, please contact Joanne Utting or Hannah Robbins at communitynorth@easthants.gov.uk
Getting to the festival
The Veterans Festival will take place at the Petersfield Festival Hall, located in the centre of Petersfield.
Venue – Festival Hall, Heath Road, Petersfield, GU31 4EA.
Find out where it is on Google Maps
Parking – there is a large pay-and-display car park adjacent to the Festival Hall.
Public transport – Petersfield is accessible by bus and has a train station. To plan your journey by public transport, please visit the Hampshire County Council's website and our community transport webpage.
Get in touch
For more information contact our Armed Forces Champion – Cllr Phil Shaw or email our Armed Forces Officers – Joanne Utting and Hannah Robbins at communitynorth@easthants.gov.uk
To find out what support is available for our armed forces in East Hampshire, including clubs and networking opportunities please take a look at Armed Forces in the community.
Our connection with the Armed Forces Community
Supporting our armed forces community is a priority for the council and we are proud to have been recognised with the Defence Employment Recognition Scheme Gold Award.
We have long-standing bonds with local armed forces communities and have fostered a working environment which is welcoming and attractive to reservists and ex-service men and women.
We re-signed our Armed Forces Covenant in 2022 and more recently we launched an Armed Forces Stakeholder Group. This is a network of local groups, organisations and military charities who work together to ensure that our veterans and members of the Armed Forces families have access to support if needed.
New policies have been put in place which offer additional support to reservists and members of the cadet forces, allowing them to fulfil their commitments while working at the council.