Military festival We Will Meet Again returns to Betteshanger Country Park in Deal for July 2025

by Sam Lawrie

slawrie@thekmgroup.co.uk

A military festival that transports visitors back to the 1940s is taking over a country park later this month.

We Will Meet Again brings together living history displays, retro music, wartime re-enactors and vintage vehicles for two days at Betteshanger Country Park in Deal.

Immerse yourself in 1940s Britain with Betteshanger’s We Will Meet Again military festival. Picture: Facebook / Family Military Festival and Country Fair We Will Meet Again

This year, the event has a special focus on the VE Day and VJ Day anniversaries, together with the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, with a host of new activities.

The static Spitfire and static Hurricane displays are part of this year’s celebrations, which also mark five years since the start of the festival.

The wartime tribute will include lots of 1940s-themed entertainment, including trade stands, wood carving, military vehicles, food and drink stalls, retro fashion shows, and live swing and jazz music.

The Air Raid Jive dancers will return to the festival this year. Picture: Facebook / Family Military Festival and Country Fair We Will Meet Again

The festival is also introducing a new section that is slightly more in tune with the modern world, with a Comic Con-style convention featuring cosplayers and characters from TV shows and films.

Star Wars costume group Vaders Raiders will be on site over the weekend, as well as a miniature Tauntaun from the sci-fi franchise, and there will also be a visit from Pirates of the Caribbean’s Jack Sparrow.

Visitors can admire Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft and hop on the tank and fire engine rides. Picture: Facebook / Family Military Festival and Country Fair We Will Meet Again

We Will Meet Again takes place on Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27 at Betteshanger Country Park in Deal. You can book tickets here.

Adult day tickets cost £10 and child day tickets cost £2.50 when booked online in advance. You can also pay on the gate. Under 5s go free. Weekend tickets, family tickets and camping tickets are also available.