This May two major events will be taking place on our Islands. We will be joining the rest of the nation in marking the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III from 5th-8th, and celebrating our own Liberation Day on 9th - commemorating the end of the Occupation of our Islands at the end of World War II.
From services and Church bell ringing to parades, fairs and fireworks, there are many activities for everyone to get involved in over the long bank holiday weekend.
Coronation Events
The Bailiwick of Guernsey will mark the Coronation with a weekend filled with fun and celebrations from the 5th to the 8th of May. There are lots of organised events and activities to get involved in.
Friday 5th May
Vigil for the King
Time: 7pm
Location: Forest Methodist Church
This Vigil will be an opportunity to reflect upon the themes of the Coronation service and their spiritual significance and to pray for The King and The Queen Consort as they prepare for their Coronation the following day.
Saturday 6th May
The Coronation Service Screening
Time: 10am-4pm
Location: King George V Playing Fields and Community Centre
A live screening of the Coronation service at Westminster Abbey will be shown on the big screen at the KGV. Alongside the screening, there will be family activities themed around the Coronation, including vintage games, Coronation crafts, information displays, royal fancy dress and more. Drinks, cakes, sandwiches and hot food will be served all day.
Coronation Parade
Time: 10.15am
Location: From Belvedere, Fort George, to the Model Yacht Pond via Le Val des Terres and South Esplanade
At 9.45am the parade of serving and veteran military personnel with the Boys' Brigade band and the island standards will assemble at Belvedere, Fort George. There will be a review by the Deputy Bailiff before the parade marches off at 10:15.
Ring for the King
Time: 11am
Location: Town, Vale, Forest and St Pierre du Bois Churches
Immediately before the Coronation service begins, as part of a national initiative, local bell ringers and specially recruited newcomers will ring at the four churches on Guernsey with suitable bells.
The Coronation 21-gun Salute
Time: 12pm
Location: Castle Cornet
A 21-gun salute will be fired at approximately midday as part of the national salute. Please note that Castle Cornet, along with all States of Guernsey Museum sites, will be closed to the public on Coronation Day.
Sunday 7th May
Eat, Drink and Be Local Seafront Sunday
Time: 10am-4pm
Location: St Peter Port Seafront
The Eat, Drink and Be Local Seafront Sunday will be joining in the national 'Big Lunch', encouraging people to share lunch in a nationwide act of celebration and friendship.
The Coronation Church Service
Time: 6pm
Location: Town Church
A celebration of the Coronation and its significance for the Bailiwick of Guernsey to coincide with similar celebrations being held in cathedrals throughout England.
The Coronation Concert - screened live from Windsor Castle
Time: 6.30pm-9.30pm
Location: King George V Playing Fields and Community Centre
The special Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle will be broadcast live on the big screen at the KGV, alongside the bar and refreshments. Enjoy the music, dance, sing and celebrate. During the concert, 'Lighting up the Nation' will see iconic locations across the United Kingdom lit up. Castle Cornet, Fort Grey, and Beau Sejour will be lit in red, white, and blue.
Monday 8th May
The Big Help Out
Time: All day
Location: Across the Bailiwick
To mark His Majesty's Coronation, Guernsey will be participating in ‘The Big Help Out’, a UK-wide initiative to give us all the chance to help our local communities. Whether it’s stopping in to chat with a neighbour, helping out a charity or donating your money or time to a worthwhile cause, the whole day is dedicated to helping out, regardless of whether you can spare an hour, the day, or decide to make a more permanent commitment.
Liberation Day Events
Liberation Day is one of the most important events in our Island’s calendar. Each year we celebrate our freedom from occupation at the end of World War Two by hosting Island Wide celebrations. St Peter Port is a hub of activity all day, and the events in town will supplement fantastic community events that have been organised across our Parishes. No matter where you are on Island, you are sure to get swept up in the atmosphere and fun of the day.
St Peter Port Events
8:59am - The Sounding of the Siren
The day will begin with the sounding of the siren from Victoria Tower in remembrance of those who fought in the Second World War. This will be followed by a two-minute silence before the sounding of the 'all clear' siren.
9am - The Schools Relay Race
The historic Guernsey Schools Relay Race will be back in St. Peter Port, with children from schools across the Bailiwick racing in the event.
9:50am - Wreath Laying
The Bailiff of Guernsey will lay a commemorative wreath at the War Memorial.
10am - Military Parade along the St Peter Port Seafront
The Liberation Day Military Parade will start at North Beach car park and march through Town, ending at Town Church. The parade will be inspected by the Governor, Lieutenant General Richard Cripwell.
10am - Liberation 7 Road Race
The Liberation 7 is Guernsey’s oldest race, a seven-mile run along the coast that is open to all. Starting at Rousse, the course crosses the north of the island before snaking down the east coast and finishing in town.
11am-4pm - Music at the Castle
There will be free entry to Castel Cornet all day, with access to their displays and a great lineup of live acts.
11am - Church Service in Town Church
The traditional Church Service at Town Church will take place alongside other services across the Island's Parish churches to mark the day.
1pm-5pm - Liberation Day Cavalcade
A Parade of 100 military vehicles, vintage cars and tractors starting at the Imperial Hotel and ending in Town at 3pm. There will be a full static display of all of the vehicles from the cavalcade at the seafront in St. Peter Port until 5pm for the community to enjoy.
Due to the age of the vehicles in the Cavalcade, The Cavalcade Committee has revised the 2023 route, which will now be a mainly coastal route to make it easier for the vehicles.
5pm-9pm - Liberation Day Concert
There will be a 1940s-themed concert on Crown Pier, with food and drink available from several local stallholders. There will be performances by local musical talent, including the Guernsey Jazz Orchestra and The Big Band Collective, alongside visiting group, The D-Day Darlings, 2018 finalists on Britain’s Got Talent. Everyone is encouraged to dress up in 1940s outfits or red, white and blue to celebrate the spirit of the day.
9:15pm - The Liberation Day Fireworks Display
The day’s festivities will be brought to a close with the spectacular annual firework display over Castle Cornet.
Parish Events
Castel
Castel Family Fun Day
Location: Vazon Dune Lane, opposite the Martello Tower
Time: 12pm-3pm
A family fun day with bouncy castles, livestock, food and a variety of stalls and entertainment.
Vale
Liberation Celebration Tea Party
Location: Vale Douzaine Rooms
Time: 2pm-4pm
An afternoon tea party and sing-along with entertainment for older parishioners.
St Martins
Liberation Day Celebrations
Location: Parish Field opposite the Parish Hall
Time: 11.30am-3.30pm
A family fun day with food and drink, a commemorative service, music, children’s games and a best-dressed competition.
St Peters
St Peters Liberation Day Celebration
Location: L'Eree Common and Beach
Time: 11.00am-9.45pm
A day filled with traditional 40’s songs and live music in the main Marquee, a children’s zone, family entertainment, beach games, a Parish photography display, Guernesiaise speakers table, a bar and meat draw. There will be food provided by Chefan, ATAN, Mims Pizzas, Island Ices, Dinos Speciality Coffees and Hechet Farm Ice-Cream, plus a well-stocked Traditional Tea Tent, with sandwiches, wraps, cakes, snacks, soft drinks and Guernsey Gache. The event is generously supported by Rocq Capital.
St Andrews
St Andrews Liberation Day Celebrations 2023
Location: The Last Post
Time: 11.00am-10.00pm
A family fun day and tea party.
Forest
Liberation Day Party
Location: Mallard Fiel
Time: 12.00pm-7.00pm
Live music, a Hog roast, Picnic and family fun.
Find the full Liberation Day timetable of events here.
Other Activities
Several hotels and establishments across the Guernsey are offering special events and treats over the long weekend, themed around the Coronation and Liberation.
Liberation Day on Sark
Our sister Island of Sark was liberated on 10th May, a day later than Guernsey. Head over to this beautiful island for unique celebrations and a chance to see the Sark population remember this very special day.
4-Day Weekend Celebrations at Camp de Reves
To celebrate the Coronation, Camp de Reves glampsite will be decorating their oak frame barn and screening the coronation ceremony on Saturday 6 May. Why not make the most of the long weekend and book to stay in one of their safari tents or shepherd huts? Just a five-minute walk away from L’Eree headland, you will be in the midst of all of the exciting events happening over Liberation Day.
A Royal Retreat at St Pierre Park
Make the most out of the long weekend with St Pierre Parks’ Royal Retreat experience, a uniquely British break that includes overnight accommodation and breakfast, plus a special royal afternoon tea. You will enjoy an assortment of homemade finger sandwiches, victoria sponge and Jubilee cakes and traditional home-baked scones with clotted Guernsey cream and strawberry jam. You’ll also have a choice of teas from an extensive menu and a glass of Champagne.
Members of Hand Picked Hotels Privilege Rewards will enjoy 15% off their stay.
King's Coronation Day and Guernsey Liberation Day with King's Health Club
King’s Health Club will be celebrating both the King's Coronation and Guernsey Liberation Day over the long weekend. They will be screening the King's coronation live on their 12-ft video wall, followed by our Afternoon Tea service from 12-5pm. You’ll have a choice of a simple cream tea or a delicious deluxe afternoon tea with a selection of sandwiches, scones, cakes and teas, which can be upgraded to be served with prosecco. Tables of all sizes are welcome.
Celebrating the King's Coronation and Liberation Day 2023 with the Top UK tribute to Sir Elton John at The Farmhouse
Celebrate with delicious food and great entertainment at the Farmhouse Hotel. There will be a Carvery Buffet included with your ticket, served just before the live entertainment begins. For dinner on the 6th or lunch on the 8th, 8th and 9th. You could make the event even more special by booking an overnight stay with their exclusive event rates.
Images courtesy of Liberation Day Guernsey. View the full gallery here.
