With the 81st anniversary of Liberation Day now just four weeks away, Express has rounded up what’s planned and where the community can help to ensure the day is a success.
The commemorative and celebratory events will be lower key than last year, where the 80th anniversary attracted thousands of people to St Peter Port for the main events.
A Royal Visit from Princess Anne saw history made as Her Royal Highness became the first member of her family to visit the Batterie Mirus and to make an official visit to Little Sark.
HRH spent time in St Peter Port and at L’eree during her visit where she met people who had been occupied, evacuated or served during the Second World War.
While those grand events planned to mark the 80th anniversary won’t be replicated this year, the continual theme of honouring those people who experienced WWII first hand will dominate.
More than 800 people in that age group are set to receive a treat ahead of Liberation Day, with care home residents and members of Age Concern groups to be given specially-curated hampers.
Other highlights returning in 2026 will include the parade and church service, athletics races, cavalcade, music stages, tea tent, children’s zone, and a fireworks display.
Parade and Church Service
This year’s Liberation Day service in the Town Church will be the final one to be led by the Very Reverend Tim Barker before his retirement.
The Dean of Guernsey, who retires at the end of July, will lead the service on Saturday 9 May at 11:00, welcoming dignitaries, veterans and members of the public to Town Church.
A parade will precede the Town Church service and will include visiting military and Chelsea Pensioners, uniformed youth organisations and veterans.
Together, they will march from the White Rock to the seafront where it will be inspected by His Excellency The Lieutenant-Governor and The Bailiff.
The parade will continue into the Town Church for the service, which will include hymns, prayers and acts of remembrance for the people who lived through the war and the island’s Occupation.
The Very Reverend Tim Barker said: “Having been Dean of Guernsey since November 2015, this will be my eleventh Town Church service on Liberation Day. Each year has been memorable and fulfilling. It has been a great privilege to be involved to deeply in the commemoration of one of the most significant days in Guernsey’s history. The Liberation Day services, in the Town Church and in one of the country parishes, provide a space for islanders to come together at the start of the day to take a moment to remember our shared history, and recognise the sacrifices made by so many for our freedom today.”
The 2026 church service will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Thanksgiving Service held on 9 May 1946, when hundreds gathered at Candie Gardens one year after Guernsey’s liberation.
As usual, the 11:00 service is open for anyone to attend in-person at the church on a first-come-first-served basis, with a livestream also available to watch on the screen on the Albert Pier, alongside additional seating.
A service of thanksgiving will also be held in the parish of St Pierre du Bois, at Sylvans S.C., at 10:00 on Liberation Day.
This service will closely follow the content of the Candie Gardens church service on the very first Liberation Day in 1946, and all members of the public are invited to attend.
Music, theatre, food and community spirit
The Albert Pier will host the livestream of the Town Church service on a big screen, before a diverse programme of local performances take centre stage.
From 11:00 until 10:45 the Pier will be a “bustling hub of music, theatre, food and community spirit”.
Programme highlights later in the day will include scenes from the one-act play The Child’s Fear by Façade Shows, based on a true story from the Occupation, alongside a wide range of music acts. The musical line-up will span generations and styles, from a solo performance by Emily Fern to nostalgic 1940s sounds from the Bluebird Belles and Glenn Miller Sounds of the Elastic Band.
A range of food stalls will take over the Pier too, including community favourites such as hamburgers and pizza, tastes of Thai, Jamaican and West African cuisine, and sweet treats and refreshments.
There will also be local craft and artisan stalls with handcrafted products, custom decor and a carnival tombola which will be lined along the seafront on the South Esplanade.
Deputy Andy Cameron, Vice-President and Liberation Day Lead for the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture, said: “The Albert Pier will be a real focal point this Liberation Day, with live music spanning everything from 1940s classics to some of our best contemporary local bands. It’s particularly encouraging to see under-18 performers taking to the stage this year, including talent from the recent Battle of the Bands. With established acts like The Recks and Last of the Light Brigade closing the programme, alongside a great mix of food and craft stalls, it promises to be a vibrant, all-day celebration in St Peter Port.”
Helen Glencross MBE, Head of Culture & Heritage Services, added: “Liberation Day is always a very special commemoration of our shared history, and an opportunity to also celebrate as a community. We are working to prepare a diverse programme across St Peter Port and look forward to sharing many more details in the coming weeks.
“The Albert Pier has a fantastic line-up, from the Town Church service broadcast, and retelling of wartime stories, to a wide variety of music on the main stage. I hope there will be plenty for every generation to enjoy.”
The Liberation Tea Tent
Following the success of 2025, the Liberation Tea Tent will return to Crown Pier on 9 May, this year made possible through the generous support of Hedosophia.
In collaboration once again with the Old Government House Hotel and GROW, the tent will provide a quieter space for people to relax and enjoy a cup of tea and freshly baked treats this Liberation Day.
Mandy Mackelworth, General Manager of GROW, said: “From baking 600 scones and 400 sausage rolls in the OGH kitchen, to helping run the tent on the day last year, the experience gave our team at GROW a fantastic opportunity to build skills, thrive in that environment and be part of something for the whole community. Seeing our team try new things and work alongside the OGH chefs made the experience incredibly rewarding for everyone involved.”
Located on the arm of Crown Pier, the tea tent will be one of many experiences for the community in that space on Liberation Day.
It will appear alongside the children’s zone, which will include a craft tent, facepainting and hair braiding, chalk drawing, a toddler soft play area and rides and a skate ramp for families to enjoy.
Andrew Chantrell, General Manager of the Old Government House Hotel, said: “Working with GROW has been an amazing experience. The tea tent is a fabulous opportunity to give back to the local community and provide a moment of calm among the day’s activities, but also a chance to showcase local produce in all of the goods on sale.”
Kate Solway, Managing Director of Hedosophia, which is sponsoring the tent, said: “The Liberation Day tea tent embodies everything the 9 May represents – community, collaboration and taking the time to come together. We’re delighted to work with GROW again to create an experience that is memorable and enjoyable for all ages, which is exactly what makes Liberation Day so meaningful.”
‘Tent-ertain us‘
Performers and artists are being encouraged to pitch for the chance to perform in the Liberation Day tea tent.
Organisers are looking for people to “take over” the tent, which will be on the Crown Pier, during the evening of 9 May, to provide an “alternative, contrasting experience” to the music being performed on the main stage on the Albert Pier.
The opportunity is open to everyone from DJs to dancers, and stand up comedians to spoken word poets.
Anyone wanting to take part should write a pitch of up to 500 words by 09:00 on Monday 13 April and email it to info@liberationday.gg.
Full details are available on the States’ website.
Cavalcade
More than 100 military vehicles, vintage cars and motorbikes will form this year’s Liberation Day Cavalcade.
While following the usual coastal route from Torteval to St Peter Port via a short stop at Pembroke, the cavalcade falls under new leadership for 2026 as long-time director Jeff Vidamour steps down.
Deputy Cameron said: “Jeff Vidamour has held the role of Cavalcade Director for over two decades and led the charge with the largest cavalcade in Liberation Day history in 2025, when over 300 vehicles and floats took part for the island’s 80th anniversary.
“His legacy directing the cavalcade and the subsequent impact the event has had for the public on Liberation Day is a very special one. We thank him for all his time and energy, and we are looking forward to continuing this special experience with Paul Bourgaize at the helm, who takes over as Director.”
Mr Bourgaize has been involved in the cavalcade for numerous years, having driven an MV in the 1985 Cavalcade, before spearheading the military vehicles involvement on the committee since 2010.
“The cavalcade is an essential part of Liberation Day, with so many people coming out to see the vehicles drive along the West Coast and into town, and it is so special for those taking part.
“A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to get over 100 vehicles to the start in Torteval on 9 May and having worked with Jeff on the event for a number of years, it is an honour to take the baton from him.”
This year’s procession will leave from Torteval Church at 12:15 before following the coast road around the north of Guernsey. Vehicles will stop for a short time at Pembroke at approximately 13:45, and then depart for their final arrival into St Peter Port at 15:00.
Upon arriving in town, they will form a static display along the seafront for islanders to see the vehicles up close and speak to the drivers.
Sponsors
The organisers of Guernsey’s Liberation Day events are calling on local businesses to support the island’s biggest community celebration through a range of high-profile sponsorship opportunities.
The 2026 Cavalcade is among the events still available to sponsor.
“Ensuring that we make every Liberation Day a truly special event is at the heart of what we do as the Liberation Day Organising Committee, with a particular consideration for those among us who lived through the Occupation and for whom this day carries deep personal meaning,” said Ms Glencross. “We have a fantastic programme coming together and look forward to sharing it with islanders in due course.
“We are extremely grateful to everyone who has already offered their support, including sponsorship for individual and residential home hampers. Every commitment, large or small, plays a vital role in helping us honour the significance of the day.
“We are still seeking key sponsorship for the children’s zone, music stage, vintage fair, cavalcade and fireworks, so that islanders of all ages can come together and enjoy the day’s celebrations.”
Event and activity sponsorships are vital for enhancing the variety of Liberation Day entertainment available to islanders of all ages, said Ms Glencross.
Due to a large portion of the organiser’s budget being utilised for event logistics, support from local businesses allows for attractions such as the vintage fun fair to return to the island following its success last year.
Sponsors will receive a range of high-profile benefits alongside PR and social media opportunities in the weeks lead-up to the celebrations and on the day itself.
Deputy Cameron added: “With a renewed focus on St Peter Port activities in May, where many local businesses are based, sponsoring Liberation Day is an excellent opportunity to promote your business, raise your profile, and play a role in delivering a landmark community event. Each and every Liberation Day is an important day for our island, and the support of local businesses is significant in helping to create an experience that islanders will remember long after the celebrations have ended.
“Many volunteers generously give their time to support the event; sponsorship is how the business community can stand alongside them and give back on a day of reflection and celebration of freedom. This support demonstrates the strength of our island community, united 81 years after liberation from German Occupation.”
Businesses are encouraged to register interest by contacting Natalie Davidson at Black Vanilla on natalie@black-vanilla.co.uk or 729229.
Volunteers
ESC is also working with the Association of Guernsey Charities to encourage people to register their interest in volunteering to help on Liberation Day and during events in the week prior to Saturday 9 May.
Roles will be based in St Peter Port on the day or to assist with deliveries of hampers to residential homes and Age Concern groups during Liberation week.
Wayne Bulpitt, Chair of the Association of Guernsey Charities, said: “Volunteers are the backbone of Guernsey’s charitable sector and a defining strength of our island community. Events such as Liberation Day reflect what can be achieved when people give their time to support causes that matter to them and to the wider community.
“Volunteering is about connection, shared purpose and pride in our island’s history. By getting involved, people help sustain the spirit of Liberation Day and ensure its values are carried forward for future generations.”
Organisers have said volunteer numbers have been declining in recent years, with many people keen to help the community but unable to commit to regular roles due to busy work and family lives.
Deputy Cameron said Liberation Day offers a simple way to make a meaningful difference without a long-term commitment. By giving just a few hours on the day or in the lead up, volunteers can help ensure this important moment in Guernsey’s history is celebrated with the community spirit it deserves.
“Liberation Day is one of the largest coordinated events the island delivers each year. It requires detailed planning across infrastructure, safety management, access, programming and on-the-day operations. Volunteers are fundamental to that delivery as they enable the practical arrangements that allow the event to function effectively.
“As organisers, we have a responsibility to deliver a commemoration that is professionally run and worthy of the significance of 9 May. That standard can only be achieved when members of the community step forward to support the scale of operational effort behind the scenes.”
Voluntary roles will require varying levels of physical fitness, and volunteers can indicate their preferred positions when registering.
The Liberation Day Volunteer Team will provide further details on available roles and time slots.
To register your interest, please visit www.liberationday.gg and click on the ‘Contact Us’ page.
