Troop Aid at the 2026 Birmingham International Tattoo

Such a great privilege, as always, for Troop Aid to be one of the three charities supported by the Birmingham International Tattoo, held at the bp pulse LIVE Arena, NEC Birmingham on 14 and 15 February.

Representatives from Troop Aid, the RAF Benevolent Fund and Royal Star & Garter were honoured to step into the arena on both days to share with the audience the vital work each of our charities carries out. Thanks to the generosity of attendees, every souvenir programme sold included a contribution to the three charities, along with communal bucket collections at the end of both performances. Your support truly makes a difference.

Each year, the Tattoo delivers an unforgettable showcase of talent and tradition. From the stirring sounds of massed marching bands, pipes and drums, to the excitement of field gun racing, impressive dog displays and vibrant dance teams, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

A particularly special element of the event is its celebration of young people. Cadets from the Sea Cadets, Royal Air Force Air Cadets and Army Cadet Force, alongside the National Marching Band, played key roles in both the Opening Ceremony and the Spectacular Grand Finale. Dancers from 11 youth dance schools also took part, highlighting the Tattoo’s commitment to community engagement and giving young performers the opportunity to shine alongside international acts.

The Spectacular Grand Finale was, as ever, a breathtaking moment. With over 1,000 performers filling the arena, the evening culminated in a moving and patriotic display of Land of Hope and Glory, The Evening Hymn and The Lone Piper, reinforcing themes of national pride and remembrance.

Saturday’s performance brought an especially powerful and emotional moment, as the event paused and the entire audience rose in a heartfelt standing ovation alongside the 1,000 performers for members of the Ukrainian Army and Navy participating in the show. It was a reminder of the unity, respect and shared spirit that events like this inspire.

We would like to say a very special thank you to our 21 wonderful volunteers who gave up their time and supported us across the two days — selling souvenir programmes, assisting with bucket collections and running our extremely busy exhibitor stand. We simply couldn’t do it without you.

To everyone who visited our stand to learn more about Troop Aid and our Grab Bag, made a donation or purchased a souvenir — thank you. It was a pleasure to meet you, and your kindness means so much to the charity.

Our sincere thanks also go to the Birmingham International Tattoo team and Kre8tive Communications for their unwavering support.

We look forward to seeing you again next year.  

Dates:
Saturday 20 February 2027 – 6.00pm
Sunday 21 February 2027 – 2.00pm

Location:
BP Pulse LIVE at the NEC, Birmingham
For more details, please visit bhamtattoo.com.