Where to Watch: The Festival of Remembrance will be broadcast live on Saturday 7 November 2026, from 9pm to 10.35pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The Royal British Legion’s annual Festival of Remembrance returns to London’s Royal Albert Hall this November, bringing together music, ceremony and moving personal stories to honour the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces.
Broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, the special evening will feature performances from some of Britain’s best-loved musical talents, alongside military bands and appearances from senior members of the Royal Family.
Taking place in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday, the event is one of the most poignant fixtures in the national calendar, providing an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by serving personnel, veterans and their families.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s Festival of Remembrance, including the performers, broadcast time and how to attend.
Who is performing at the Festival of Remembrance 2026?
This year’s concert features an impressive line-up of singers and musicians, combining established performers with the ceremonial traditions of the British Armed Forces.
The confirmed musical line-up includes:
- Alfie Boe – the acclaimed tenor, known for his powerful vocals and celebrated musical theatre performances.
- James Emmanuel – the singer and performer bringing his musical talents to this year’s commemorative event.
- Mica Paris – the award-winning soul singer, known for her distinctive voice and long career in British music.
- Rita Wilson – the singer, songwriter and actress, whose musical performances span several genres.
- Tom Odell – the singer-songwriter behind hits including Another Love, bringing his distinctive sound to the occasion.
The evening will also feature performances from three military musical formations: the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment, the Band of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth (Royal Band) and the Band of HM Royal Marines Collingwood.
Their appearances are an integral part of the event, combining the precision and tradition of military music with the concert’s wider themes of remembrance and national gratitude.
With a mixture of contemporary music, powerful vocals and ceremonial performances, the programme promises to offer a moving tribute to the Armed Forces community.
When is the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance on TV?
The Festival of Remembrance will be broadcast live on Saturday 7 November 2026, from 9pm to 10.35pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The televised programme will bring the atmosphere of the Royal Albert Hall into homes across the country, allowing viewers to join in this annual act of remembrance.
The event takes place ahead of Remembrance Sunday, when communities throughout the UK gather to remember those who have lost their lives in military service and recognise the contributions of serving personnel and veterans.
For those unable to attend in person, the live broadcast provides an opportunity to take part in the occasion from home.
What time are the live performances at the Royal Albert Hall?
Although the television broadcast begins at 9pm, there are actually two performances of the Festival of Remembrance taking place at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 7 November.
The two performances are scheduled for:
- Matinee performance: 2pm
- Evening performance: 7pm
The evening performance precedes the televised broadcast, which starts at 9pm. The two live events allow more people to experience the ceremony in person, although attendance is strictly limited by ticket allocation.
Can you get tickets for the Festival of Remembrance 2026?
Unfortunately, tickets for this year’s Festival of Remembrance are no longer available.
All tickets were allocated through a ballot held during the summer, meaning those hoping to attend the performances on Saturday 7 November will need to watch the televised event instead.
The Royal Albert Hall concert is an exceptionally popular annual occasion, attracting members of the Royal Family, veterans, serving military personnel and their families, alongside members of the public.
Anyone who missed out on the ballot can still watch the evening’s proceedings live on BBC One or through BBC iPlayer.
What is the Festival of Remembrance about?
Organised by the Royal British Legion, the Festival of Remembrance is an annual event dedicated to honouring the service and sacrifices of the Armed Forces community.
Through personal testimony, storytelling, music and ceremony, the event expresses the nation’s gratitude to those who have served, both past and present.
It recognises the core values associated with the Armed Forces: putting others before themselves, devotion to duty and unfailing professionalism.
The ceremony also honours veterans, serving personnel, their families and those who have lost their lives in service. By sharing individual experiences alongside musical performances, the Festival offers a deeply personal perspective on the realities of military service and its impact on families and communities.
As the Armed Forces continue to adapt to new challenges, the event provides an important opportunity to acknowledge the dedication, courage and sacrifices of those who protect the country’s freedoms and way of life.
The presence of senior members of the Royal Family further underlines the national significance of the occasion, which brings together people from across the Armed Forces community in a shared act of remembrance.
Where does the Festival of Remembrance take place?
The event takes place at the Royal Albert Hall in London, one of the country’s most recognisable concert venues.
The historic hall provides a fitting setting for the ceremony, with its grand auditorium hosting a combination of musical performances, military traditions and moving tributes.
The atmosphere is central to the experience, bringing together performers, members of the Royal Family, veterans, serving personnel and their loved ones to reflect on the meaning of remembrance.
For television viewers, the broadcast captures the scale and emotion of the occasion, allowing audiences nationwide to share in the tribute.
How to watch the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance 2026
If you are planning to watch this year’s ceremony, here are the key details:
- Event: Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance
- Date: Saturday 7 November 2026
- Television broadcast: 9pm–10.35pm
- Channel: BBC One
- Online streaming: BBC iPlayer
- Venue: Royal Albert Hall, London
- Live performances: 2pm and 7pm
- Tickets: Allocated through a summer ballot; no tickets remain available
With performances from Alfie Boe, James Emmanuel, Mica Paris, Rita Wilson and Tom Odell, alongside the military bands, this year’s Festival promises a powerful combination of music and remembrance.
Whether watching from the Royal Albert Hall or at home, the evening offers a chance to pause, reflect and pay tribute to the people who have served — and continue to serve — the nation.
The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance airs live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday 7 November, from 9pm to 10.35pm.
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