St Peter Port will host celebrations for Guernsey's 80th Liberation Day

A diverse programme of events will take place in St Peter Port on the 9th May 2025, as the island celebrates 80 years of freedom from German Occupation.

The States say due to the significance of next year’s milestone anniversary, and the community’s feedback, Liberation Day Celebrations will focus on the town seafront.

The four St Peter Port piers will host different themed parties.

Education, Sport & Culture’s representative for Liberation Day, Deputy Sue Aldwell, says there will be something for everyone.

"North Beach will be a huge concert with local bands and some brought in from the UK. We will also have a food village there and lots of seating, and the charity stalls.

On the Crown Pier, we will be having a vintage funfair and lots of children's activities.

The cavalcade will be based for a static display on Albert Pier.

Then up to the Castle, we will have lots of music up there, for all age groups."

Other traditions, such as the commemorative parade, church service, and firework display will also take place.

The parishes will receive funding to put towards their own events, as they have done in recent years.

Deputy Aldwell said the day will cost around three times the usual amount, due to its scale.

The States have requested prospective sponsors to step forward to help fund it.

Education, Sport and Culture have formed a special Liberation Day 80 Oversight Board to plan the day.

Head of Heritage Services, Helen Glencross, heads the group.

She says more details will be announced ahead of the big day.

“We are very conscious of the significance of the 80th Liberation Day, so we are committed to delivering a fantastic day that remembers the experience of Islanders during the Occupation and celebrates our Liberation.

ESC’s representative for Liberation Day Deputy Sue Aldwell and Liberation Day 80 Oversight Board lead Helen Glencross, pictured by Guernsey's Liberation monument.

"The Oversight Board members have years of experience in organising major local events, including previous Liberation Days, and we will be making further announcements on the events and activities that will make up the day over the coming months, but we wanted to share now the broader plan for the day and some of the key features which we know will be a part of it.

Together with parishes and individual event organisers, we are planning a programme that will give people lots of opportunities to take part.

We are working with the Association of Guernsey Charities to bring together volunteers who will be key in helping us to deliver a great day, and you’ll hear more on that soon."

A community bunting project launched earlier this year to decorate the St Peter Port sea front, and afternoon tea hampers will be gifted to Guernsey's wartime generation once again.

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