On Sunday, October 12, 2025, the First Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles will parade through the streets of Folkestone to exercise their Freedom of the Town. This special honour was granted to them back in 2004 by the Folkestone Charter Trustees.
The event, which runs from 9:15am to 10:45am, will begin with a formal ceremony outside the Town Hall where the troops will be formally inspected and will officially ask the Worshipful Town Mayor of Folkestone for permission to exercise their historic right. Following the ceremony, the battalion will step off on a parade route that takes them from Guildhall Street, along Sandgate Road, through West Cliff Gardens and The Leas, before concluding at the Garden of Remembrance.
Local residents and visitors are encouraged to line the parade route to show their support for the troops. Please be aware that there will be temporary road closures and some traffic disruption during the event.