Event Programme

The traditional schools relay race will take place along the seafront with teams from each secondary school taking part.

The parade will march from the White Rock at 9.40am and form up on the seafront to be inspected by H.E. The Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Cripwell and the Bailiff, Sir Richard McMahon at 10am.

The parade will be made up of visiting contingents from 16 Signals Regiment, HMS Daring, 201 Squadron and the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment, Ghurkas and Chelsea Pensioners alongside local veterans and uniformed youth organisations.

Once inspected, the parade will march along the seafront to the Town Church and back along the High Street to fall out in the Pollet.

This year's People's Service will take place as part of the St Peter's parish event at Sylvans Football Club.

The service will be led by Reverend Adrian Datta and follow the order of service of the Service of Thanksgiving which was held on 9 May 1946 in Candie Gardens to mark the first anniversary of the island's liberation.

A full programme of music and entertainment will take place throughout the day at Castle Cornet, where entry will be free on Liberation Day.

Visit Victoria Marina to see vintage lifeboats City of Bradford III, James and Catherine Macfarlane, Mary Irene Millarand local lifeboat Annie Blaker. Crew members will be on the pontoon to chat and share the stories behind the boats.

Islanders are invited to attend this year's Liberation Day service in the Town Church, 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, welcoming dignitaries, veterans and members of the public to Town Church.

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 11am 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 am 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. 

The Crown Pier will become home to the Children's Zone for the day with  a range of activities and entertainment for the younger members of the familiy, including the Youth Commission bus and (small) skate ramp, a craft tent run by Trinity Church, shows from Guernsey Bubbles, facepainters and hairbraiders, the Little Pickles chair-o-plane ride and go-karts, the UpClimbing wall and plenty more!

There will also be the opportunity to meet some Royal Golden Guernsey Goats and find out a bit more about this native breed.

Following the success of 2025, the Liberation Tea Tent will return to Crown Pier, this year made possible through the generous support of Hedosophia.

In collaboration once again with the Old Government House Hotel (OGH) and GROW, the tent will provide a quieter space for islanders to relax and enjoy a cup of tea and freshly baked treats this Liberation Day.

The teams will be running the tent from 11am to 5pm, serving goods they prepared together in the run-up to the day, with all proceeds going to the local charity.

Seating will be available for 150 people.

This year's food and drink village will be positioned on the Albert Pier alongside the music stage and big screen.

The village will open all day from 11am until the end of the day's celebrations at 10.30pm and feature a range of food and drink concessions.

Seating will be available.

Following the huge success of the vintage fair last year we are delighted Downs Fair will be joining us again bringing a ferris wheel, carousel, chair-o-plane and Austin cars.

The Fair will operate from 11am to 8pm on 9 May and from 11am - 5pm on 10 May. Rides will be £3.50 each.

A quiet hour will be held on the vintage fair on the Red Light Arm, Albert Pier from 10 - 11am on Sunday 10 May for families with children with autism, neurodiversity and other sensory needs who will benefit from the more relaxed environment

With many thanks to Brittany Ferries for their support bringing the fair to Guernsey.

Artisan, craft and charity stallholders will line the South Esplanade showcasing locally made products.

The Aztec inflatable pitch will be up and running to test your football skills.

Dance zone timetable:

• 11.00 B-Creative
• 12.00 Belles and Broomsticks Guernsey Morris Dancers ft. Windsor Morris Dancers
• 14.00 Guernsey Majorettes

Over 100 military vehicles, vintage cars, motorbikes and tractors will form this year’s Liberation Day Cavalcade.

The cavalcade will follow the usual coastal route from Torteval to St Peter Port with a short stop at Pembroke. The Cavalcade will arrive in St Peter Port and form up a static display on the seafront.

The Cavalcade will make a pit stop at Pembroke where you will be able to see the vehicles up close and speak to the drivers.

The Cavalcade will arrive in town at 3pm and will form up a static display on the seafront where people will have the chance to see the vehicles up close and speak to the drivers and owners.

The cavalcade will leave the seafront at 5pm.

The fireworks will be fired from La Vallette again this year. You will have a good view of the display from most points of the St Peter Port seafront.

The Last of the Light Brigade will bring the commemorative and celebratory events of the 81st anniversary of Liberation.

We hope you have a great day!