Two dates to mark in November
Remembrance Sunday falls on November 8 in 2026. It is held on the second Sunday in November and is the day of the UK’s National Service of Remembrance. Armistice Day, also called Remembrance Day in the UK, falls on Wednesday, November 11. Its date stays fixed because the First World War armistice took effect at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918. That is why the national Sunday service and the anniversary are three days apart this year.
What time is the two-minute silence?
The order of service for the Cenotaph sets the Sunday silence for 11 a.m. London time, which is 11:00 UTC and 4 p.m. in Pakistan. Wreath-laying follows the silence. The UK also observes a two-minute silence at 11 a.m. on November 11. For a local service, check the council’s schedule: the time for gathering or marching can be earlier than the silence itself. Manchester, for example, published a 10:30 a.m. march ahead of its 11 a.m. silence.
What happens at the Cenotaph?
The National Service takes place on Whitehall in London. The Cenotaph is a memorial that serves as a symbolic place of remembrance for people who died in conflict, including those buried far from home or with no known grave. The ceremony remembers people from Britain and the Commonwealth who served and died in the world wars and later conflicts. The government announced coverage from the BBC, ITV and Sky News, including BBC One and iPlayer from 10:15 a.m. UK time, with BBC options for British Sign Language and audio description.
How to find an observance near you
Search your council’s event listings using the name of your town and the date you want to observe. Some councils list a Sunday parade and a separate Wednesday gathering. Check the location and start time before travelling, especially where a town has more than one memorial. If you are following from abroad, use the local organiser’s schedule: the London time above applies to the UK ceremony.
Sources & further reading
- House of Commons Library: dates, traditions and the Cenotaph
- UK government: National Service of Remembrance schedule
- UK government: order of service for November 8
- UK government: broadcast and accessibility options
- Manchester City Council: local procession and silence times
- Salford City Council: Sunday and Wednesday observances
- Cenotaph photograph license: CC BY-SA 4.0