Military and police ceremonies

The militaries and police forces of many countries around the world have numerous ceremonial functions. Many of these involve elaborate processions, grand ceremonial uniforms and precision drills, making them popular spectacles for tourists.

The music used at these ceremonies tends to be based on European classical music. Like a philharmonic orchestra, a military band has wind and percussion instruments, though rarely string instruments.

A guard of honor or a ceremonial guard is an armed unit appointed to guard a head of state or government property. Military parades are also often held when a new foreign ambassador presents his credentials to the head of state.

Canada

 * RCMP Musical Ride (various locations throughout Canada) — the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP, or just the "Mounties"), Canada's federal police force, tours the country during the summer months performing their iconic Musical Ride, in which they wear their ceremonial uniforms and showcase their equestrian skills. While the locations of the performances vary from year to year, the tour always includes a stop in Ottawa on 1st July for Canada Day celebrations. The RCMP Musical Ride also always opens the rodeo session daily during the Calgary Stampede.
 * RCMP Musical Ride (various locations throughout Canada) — the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP, or just the "Mounties"), Canada's federal police force, tours the country during the summer months performing their iconic Musical Ride, in which they wear their ceremonial uniforms and showcase their equestrian skills. While the locations of the performances vary from year to year, the tour always includes a stop in Ottawa on 1st July for Canada Day celebrations. The RCMP Musical Ride also always opens the rodeo session daily during the Calgary Stampede.
 * RCMP Musical Ride (various locations throughout Canada) — the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP, or just the "Mounties"), Canada's federal police force, tours the country during the summer months performing their iconic Musical Ride, in which they wear their ceremonial uniforms and showcase their equestrian skills. While the locations of the performances vary from year to year, the tour always includes a stop in Ottawa on 1st July for Canada Day celebrations. The RCMP Musical Ride also always opens the rodeo session daily during the Calgary Stampede.

Singapore

 * National Day Parade — Held on 9th August every year to commemorate Singapore's independence from Malaysia. The first part of the show is the ceremonial parade segment, which features contingents from each branch of the Singapore military (the army, navy and air force), the Singapore police, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (i.e. the fire brigade and paramedics) and each of the school uniformed groups (eg. Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Boys' Brigade, Girls' Brigade, St. John Ambulance Brigade, etc.). After the ceremonial parade segment, the second part is the show segment, featuring performances from various performing arts groups. Held either at the Marina Bay Floating Platform or the Padang.
 * National Day Parade — Held on 9th August every year to commemorate Singapore's independence from Malaysia. The first part of the show is the ceremonial parade segment, which features contingents from each branch of the Singapore military (the army, navy and air force), the Singapore police, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (i.e. the fire brigade and paramedics) and each of the school uniformed groups (eg. Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Boys' Brigade, Girls' Brigade, St. John Ambulance Brigade, etc.). After the ceremonial parade segment, the second part is the show segment, featuring performances from various performing arts groups. Held either at the Marina Bay Floating Platform or the Padang.

United Kingdom

 * Horse Guards Parade (Westminster) — The changing of the King's Life Guard takes place here every day at 11AM on weekdays, involving units from the Household Cavalry. On weekends, there is no changing of the guard, but you can watch the duty officer inspecting the soldiers and horses at 11AM on Saturdays and 10AM on Sundays. The Trooping of the Colour, an elaborate parade involving one of the Foot Guards unit, the Household Calvary and the Royal Horse Artillery, is held here every year on the King's official birthday (second Sunday of June, not the same as the King's actual birthday), with the King usually attending in person to inspect the parade. The Whitehall side of the Horse Guards building has the Four 'O' Clock Parade, nicknamed the "Punishment Parade" at 4PM everyday, in which an officer inspects the guards before the horses are taken into their stables for the night.
 * Horse Guards Parade (Westminster) — The changing of the King's Life Guard takes place here every day at 11AM on weekdays, involving units from the Household Cavalry. On weekends, there is no changing of the guard, but you can watch the duty officer inspecting the soldiers and horses at 11AM on Saturdays and 10AM on Sundays. The Trooping of the Colour, an elaborate parade involving one of the Foot Guards unit, the Household Calvary and the Royal Horse Artillery, is held here every year on the King's official birthday (second Sunday of June, not the same as the King's actual birthday), with the King usually attending in person to inspect the parade. The Whitehall side of the Horse Guards building has the Four 'O' Clock Parade, nicknamed the "Punishment Parade" at 4PM everyday, in which an officer inspects the guards before the horses are taken into their stables for the night.

Stay safe
Despite the paegentry and quaint ceremonial uniforms, it is important to remember that the participants are actual soldiers or police officers, sometimes armed with live weapons, who are performing an important job. Be sure to show them an appropriate level of respect, and avoid getting in their way. Getting too close or hindering them in the conduct of their duties will get you yelled at with their weapons pointed at you, and could even get you shot dead in the worst-case scenarios.