Guernsey Liberation Day 2025: What events are planned

Guernsey will celebrate the end of World War Two with an extended programme of events

With plans for colourful parades, parish parties and plenty of music and memories shared in between, Guernsey's 80th Liberation Day is set to be marked across the island.

The milestone anniversary on 9 May serves to commemorate the end of five years of the German Occupation of the island during World War Two.

As well as staples such as the cavalcade, entertainment is being staged across St Peter Port as well as events in St Pierre du Bois, St Andrew, St Martin and the Vale.

Timeline of commemorations

The parade will pay tribute to the fallen during World War Two

Following the tradition of a siren being sounded from Victoria Tower at 08:59 BST on Friday, there will be a two-minute silence before the "all clear" siren.

Wreaths will then be laid at the War Memorial in Smith Street from 10:40 BST.

A staple of Liberation celebrations, the annual parade will begin at 11:00, led by The Band of HM Royal Marines, Scotland.

They will be followed by the Princess of Wales Regiment, HMS Daring and "Guernsey's Own" 201 Squadron, alongside the Chelsea Pensioners and the Gurkhas.

The parade will follow an extended route along the seafront to the Slaughterhouse roundabout and back to the Town Church for a service at 12:00.

This year's church service will be led by the Bishop of Salisbury, with the service being livestreamed and broadcast into the tea tent on The Albany where seating for 150 people will be available.

Cavalcade and car display

A display of vintage vehicles will park up in St Peter Port

The annual cavalcade of tractors and classic vehicles is due to begin at the Peninsula Hotel in Vale at 14:00 and then drive through Pembroke, Bordeaux and St Sampsons, before ending in St Peter Port at 15:00.

Community floats will also return to the 2025 Liberation Day cavalcade after a 10-year absence, organisers have said.

A display of military vehicles will be shown in St Peter Port as the Liberation Day Cavalcade winds to a close at St Peter Port seafront from 16:00 to 18:00.

Military re-enactment

A dramatic re-enactment of the moment Guernsey was freed from occupation will also take place at 17:00 on 9 May.

Organised by the Guernsey Military History Company, it will feature HMS Medusa and Rummy III (HMS Flycatcher) with Guernsey Petroleum Distributors Ltd (GPD) sponsoring the fuel for the visiting craft.

The performance at Albert Pier will recreate the arrival of Force 135, the British military task force which was responsible for the liberation of the Channel Islands from German occupation.

Russell Doherty, organiser of the re-enactment, said it would be "a moving tribute" to those who lived through the occupation and allow all generations to connect with "this pivotal moment in Guernsey's history".

Vintage fun fair

Children can enjoy classic rides on the pier, including a chair-o-plane, helter-skelter and carousel

Families can mark the island's 80th Liberation Day by visiting a vintage fun fair hosted on the Crown Pier.

The fair is being organised by Downs' Steam Fair, a family-owned business established in 1850.

The Pride of the South, a ride featured in the films Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Half a Sixpence and Who Framed Roger Rabbit will also be part of the event.

Face painting and hair braiding will also be on offer, alongside a craft tent and biscuit decorating.

A live music stage will provide the soundtrack.

Music at Castle Cornet

A full day's programme of music will be on at Castle Cornet

Musical acts will be staged at Castle Cornet as part of the Liberation Day celebrations.

Entry will be free on the day.

Drone show

A drone show is being included as part of the Liberation celebrations for the first time

The Committee for Education, Sport and Culture has unveiled plans for a dazzling drone display at North Beach Car Park, followed by the Fireworks from La Vallette.

The 10-minute drone show will see 150 of the flying gizmos illuminating the night sky over St Peter Port set to classical music.

Sponsored by Butterfield Bank, the event is being choreographed by FlightShows a leading provider of aerial light displays in the UK.

Richard Saunders, Butterfield's managing director in Guernsey, said: "I'm hoping it will be the perfect sign off to the celebrations across the island and I hope everyone enjoys the show."

More announcements about the events will be shared through social media and on the dedicated website.