Things To Do Over The Coronation & Liberation Long Weekend

With a four day holiday weekend ahead for most of us to celebrate the King's Coronation and Liberation Day, here’s a round up of our favourite things to do around the Bailiwick in the coming days.

 

 

Saturday 6th May

 

Make Time For You

Start the weekend with something that will make you feel good. Make time for a yoga session or a pilates class, or if May is the month you're planning to get back in the water, make it today - weather permitting! If you're not sure where to go, our guide to The Best Sea Swimming Spots Around The Bailiwick will help you choose, depending on the tide and time of day, with some tips to keep you safe.

Watch The King’s Coronation Service 

Church bells will be ringing around the island from 10am to mark the start of the King’s Coronation celebrations, leading into a live screening of the Westminster Abbey service. You can watch the service on the big screen at the KGV, alongside family activities with food and drink from 10am-4pm. Or view the Coronation service at Kings on their 12ft video wall, followed by Afternoon Tea. A 21-Gun salute will be fired at approximately 12 noon as part of the national salute. 

 

Sunday 7th May

 

Pop Along To Seafront Sunday

Eat, Drink And Be Local is back with the first Seafront Sunday event of the year. As well as food carts, you’ll find farmers and producers selling their homegrown produce, alongside artisans and crafters showcasing their handmade goods. There’s also live music and lots of local stalls to browse.  

Make Time For A Walk

There are so many beautiful places to explore on our islands, and the extra holidays this weekend make it possible to get out and enjoy some of the walks on our doorstep. Even if you’ve lived in Guernsey all your life, you'll find something to surprise you on this list of Local Walks.

Take In A Free Concert

This weekend marks the start of the Candie Gardens Concerts. From 3pm-4pm The Guernsey Street Festival presents live music from The Big Band Collective. Bring a picnic and enjoy this free concert whilst taking in the views over the harbour and islands from Candie Gardens. And of course, there's the King's Coronation Concert in the evening. The concert is being screened live from Windsor Castle from 6.30pm - 9.30pm. You can watch it with friends on the big screen at the KGV and celebrate with refreshments from the bar - singing and dancing encouraged!

The centrepiece of the concert, ‘Lighting up the Nation’, will see the country join together in celebration as iconic locations across the country are lit up. Guernsey is joining in by lighting up Castle Cornet and Fort Grey in red, white and blue.

 

 

Monday 8th May

 

Enjoy Brunch With Friends

Make the most of the long weekend and catch up with friends over brunch. We're spoilt for choice here in Guernsey, but whatever type of brunch you're looking for, from casual to classy and everything in between, we'll point you in the right direction with Places To Have Brunch In Guernsey so you can get your day off to a great start.

Take Part In The Big Help Out

The Big Help out is encouraging us all to shape the future by volunteering and making a difference in our local community. No matter what you are good at, there are opportunities for everyone to join in, from checking in on someone who’d like a bit of company for an hour or volunteering for a charity for a morning, it’s up to you. Contact the Association of Guernsey Charities to find out how you can help.

Curl Up With A Good Book

Maybe this is the day you pull back from the celebrations and have a few quiet hours with a good book. We've teamed up with the library to bring you lots of great reading recommendations... or would you rather be the one writing the book? Maybe today is the day you put pen to paper with these Tips To Help You Start Writing.  If reading's not for you, gift yourself a moment of calm and take a moment to Enjoy Some Creative Me-Time. 

 

 

Tuesday 9th May

 

Head Over To The L'Eree Liberation Day Event

The fun starts at L'Eree at 11.00am with family activities on the common and kayaks and SUPs on the beach. Watch as the cavalcade passes by, then browse the Vintage War Memorabilia tent before joining the Chelsea Pensioners and Ghurkas in the Traditional Tea Tent. Or head over to the beach for an afternoon of fun and games. There's live music throughout the day and into the evening, with lots of food stalls, competitions and a bumper meat draw. View the full programme of events here.

Listen To Live Music at the Castle

Following the traditional Liberation Day wreath laying at the War Memorial and Military Parade along the seafront, there’s music at Castle Cornet from 10am - 4pm. Entry is free and there’s a great line up of live acts. The museum displays are open and there will be free face painting and creative dance alongside history in action and lawn games.  

Watch The Liberation Day Cavalcade

A Parade of 100 military vehicles, vintage cars and tractors will start at the Imperial Hotel at 1pm and travel into Town, ending 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 to let you get up close and enjoy the character of the vehicles.

Celebrate With Music and Fireworks on the Crown Pier

From 5pm-9pm there will be live music and dancing with a 1940’s theme on the Crown Pier, featuring big band tunes and classic songs from the era. Enjoy food and drink on the pier, followed by the traditional fireworks display at 9.15pm.

 

Whether you’re out and about with family and friends, enjoying a solo date or making the most of the extra free time around home, make the most of the long weekend and enjoy!