Sun shines on crowds marking Liberation Day 2026

A number of events are under way in Guernsey as the island celebrates 81 years of liberation under sunny skies.

Guernsey seafront is closed all day for the event, which marks the end of Guernsey's Nazi occupation during World War Two.

This year's celebrations include live music, fireworks and a cavalcade. More than 100 military vehicles, vintage cars and motorbikes are planned to take part in the procession from Torteval to St Peter Port.

The Dean of Guernsey, the Very Reverend Tim Barker, led the town church service at 11:00 GMT - Barker has been in his role for 11 years but will be retiring at the end of July. He said his final Liberation Day service was a "huge privilege" as always.

"It's one of the most important services in Guernsey's life, Liberation Day is such an important day for the whole community.

"I'm relieved that it all went well, I think," he added.

Barker said the things people in Guernsey went through during the occupation had helped shape the island and "made it what it is today".

"When I came to Guernsey I didn't know the story, I knew nothing.

"Over those 11 years that I've been here I've learnt so much, particularly from talking to people who have real lived experience of the Occupation," he said.

A parade marched from the White Rock at 09:40 and formed up on the seafront to be inspected by Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Cripwell and Bailiff Sir Richard McMahon.

It then marched along the seafront to the Town Church and back along the High Street to fall out in the Pollet.

Sue Duport was marking Liberation Day at a community event at Sylvans Football Club in St Peters.

She said Liberation Day was an "ideal way for Guernsey to come together as a community and celebrate".

"It's just so important for the youngsters of today to know a bit about what happened in the past," she said.

"My family was a mixture of deported to Biberach, my mum was evacuated, I had an aunt who had tuberculosis so was in hospital in Guernsey.

"The family were split so I think it's important to remember the suffering they went through," she added.

Jersey and Guernsey were liberated on 9 May 1945 - and Sark the following day - after five years of Nazi rule. Most inhabitants of Alderney who had been forced to leave could not safely return until 15 December - now marked as Homecoming Day.

A full programme of music and entertainment is taking place at Castle Cornet, where entry is free. Music will also be playing until 22:30 at Albert Pier.

The tea tent is open at Crown Pier until 17:00.

Organisers said the cavalcade was following its usual route from Torteval to St Peter Port and is due to arrive in town at 15:00.

It will form a static display allowing people the chance to see the vehicles up close. It will leave the seafront at 17:00.

There will be a fireworks display from La Vallette from 21:15. Organisers said visitors would get a "good view of the display from most points of the St Peter Port seafront".

The Last of the Light Brigade will bring the event to a close at 22:30.

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