April 2020
Island Explorers 2020
Adventurers young and young-at-heart are invited to take part in Guernsey Museums’ annual spring challenge and find answers hidden across some of Guernsey’s historic sites.
To mark 75 years of freedom, this year’s quiz will include 75 questions on Guernsey history and culture.
You will be able to download the trail from the Guernsey Museums’ website, or pick one up from the Guernsey Museum at Candie – watch this space for updates on when the trail goes live.
Entrants can return their quizzes to the Guernsey Museum at Candie by 1 June 2020 to receive a small prize and enter the grand prize draw.
Participation is free. Good luck and safe exploring!
HistoryFest
An exciting celebration for all the family. This heritage-themed festival will take place at Castle Cornet in St Peter Port and will feature costumed characters, hands-on activities, period music, living history and more.
HistoryFest will be running throughout 2 days so you can pop in at any time between 10am – 4pm. There will plenty to see, learn and do throughout the festivities!
10am – 4pm
Admission: £10.50 per adult and £3 per child
May 2020
Liberation Day
9th May 2020 is the 75th anniversary of Guernsey’s Liberation, commemorating the Islands’ freedom from German Occupation during World War II. It will be a day not to be missed!
As well as Liberation Day itself, there will be 75 specially themed events taking place throughout the whole year, details of which will be available soon.
Liberation Day continues to be an important day in the history of the Islands. Start planning your visit today and be a part of this very special celebration!
Seafront Sundays
Enjoy an al-fresco vibe along the St Peter Port seafront on certain Sunday during the summer months.
Each Seafront Sunday has a different theme, but all offer the chance to stroll along the seafront, enjoying the casual friendly atmosphere.
10am – 4pm
June 2020
Celebrate75
Head to the Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden in Saumarez Park and join their Summer Garden party to celebrate 75 years since Liberation Day.
Taste samples of dishes that have been recreated from original recipes. Look at the historical displays and imagine what it was like to live off the land from 1940-1945 during WWII. There will be lots of things to see and do for everyone!
This event is kindly supported by The Channel Islands Occupation Society.
Free entry and, weather permitting, there will be car parking available at Home Farm.
Guernsey Classic Vehicle Show
An impressive range of vintage, classic, modern cars, motorcycles, and military vehicles from the 1940s (and other eras) will be on display at this annual show. Perfect for families, petrol heads or history buffs as there will be plenty to learn from the vehicle owners who are dedicated to restoring and preserving them.
Entry to the showground is free. Open 11am – 5pm.
Seafront Sundays
Enjoy an al-fresco vibe along the St Peter Port seafront on certain Sunday during the summer months.
Each Seafront Sunday has a different theme, but all offer the chance to stroll along the seafront, enjoying the casual friendly atmosphere.
10am – 4pm
July 2020
Lé Viaër Marchi
Lé Viaër Marchi has been the National Trust of Guernsey’s annual community event for over 50 years.
Their event is hugely popular amongst islanders and visitors and will be taking place from 4pm until sunset at Saumarez Park on 6th July.
This event celebrates the best of Guernsey’s heritage with interesting artisan stalls, wonderful demonstrations of Guernsey crafts, traditional dancers and singers and plenty of Guernsey’s famous dish ‘Bean Jar’. A special atmosphere is guaranteed at this unique event.
Rocquaine Regatta
The Rocquaine Regatta is a fun-filled day at Rocquaine Bay on the west coast of Guernsey. Unusual boat races take place throughout the day with fishing boats, small sailing boats and motor boats participating in casual yet highly competitive races!
You can join the fun as a spectator or get the children involved by joining events such as the Junior sand events (apple bobbing, wheelbarrow races, pick a pint of winkles, three legged race) or the new ‘Wife Carrying’ event (self-explanatory).
Pavement artists, the Guernsey Majorettes and live music will accompany participants, spectators and visitors all day and an evening barbecue will conclude a fantastic day of fun.
There will also be free entry to the fascinating Fort Grey Shipwreck Museum all day, so you can combine your family day out with some fascinating history.
Seafront Sundays
Enjoy an al-fresco vibe along the St Peter Port seafront on certain Sunday during the summer months.
Each Seafront Sunday has a different theme, but all offer the chance to stroll along the seafront, enjoying the casual friendly atmosphere.
10am – 4pm
August 2020
The South Show
The first of the three annual shows in Guernsey, The South Show has been a yearly event for over 95 years. It takes place at the St Martins Community Centre, a modern facility opened in 2006.
Like last year, this time around there will be various attractions outside as well as indoors.
Throughout the weekend, local residents show off their brilliant baked goods, prized produce and other crafts, aiming to take home first prize in the various competitions that occur every year.
Refreshments, bric-a-brac stalls and games will also be present.
The West Show
Established over 100 years ago, The West Show is Guernsey’s premier agricultural and horticultural show and prides itself on having retained the Guernsey traditions as well as incorporating entertainment for all the family.
Held over two days in mid-August, the West Show is located on the picturesque West Coast of Guernsey at L’Eree, a large open area which was a former aerodrome.
The West Show features large displays of exhibits by Guernsey residents in the traditional Country Show classes such as Cakes, Vegetables, Flowers, Fruit, Arts and Crafts, Photography and Plants together with Animal and Livestock classes, such as Cattle, Goats, Sheep, Pigs and Fur and Feather.
A full programme of entertainment is provided throughout both days, with UK and local acts providing entertainment both in the arena and around the showground. There are also loads of trade stalls, from vehicle displays to charity stands and a mixture of many types of food for all tastes!
Add to this a funfair, pet tent, craft activities for little ones, face painting, tractors, military vehicles, Lawnmower racing and much more, and you have the perfect day (or two!) out for all ages.
As the sun starts to set, the beer tent comes alive with music on both evenings from Guernsey’s top bands
The North Show & Battle of Flowers
The Guernsey North Show and Battle of Flowers has been one of the main outdoor events in Guernsey’s summer calendar for many years. Run by the Northern Agricultural and Horticultural Society, the event takes place in the wonderful leafy setting of Sausmarez Park and attracts thousands of visitors every year.
The programme of arena events includes showcasing local and off-island talent, a fun fair, and numerous stall-holders providing refreshments and other items for sale throughout the two days.
The grounds open at 10am each day
North Show
The North Show features the displays of exhibitors’ entries including the traditional livestock classes, such as Guernsey cattle, goats and agricultural produce. In more recent years, the North Show’s emphasis has shifted to encourage more amateur involvement, with many entries in the fur and feather classes, cut flowers, fruit and vegetables, flower arranging, cakes and baking, and the craft classes such as wood or metalworking, embroidery and photography.
Battle of Flowers
The Battle of Flowers takes place in the afternoon of the second day, and the spectators can take part in judging the colorful floats, which are all competing for the coveted “Prix d’honneur”. The Battle culminates in the evening illuminated cavalcade, rounded off with a spectacular firework display.
Seafront Sundays
Enjoy an al-fresco vibe along the St Peter Port seafront on certain Sunday during the summer months.
Each Seafront Sunday has a different theme, but all offer the chance to stroll along the seafront, enjoying the casual friendly atmosphere.
10am – 4pm
September 2020
Guernsey Air Display
The ever popular Battle of Britain Air Display held over St Peter Port Harbour
The Guernsey Air Display, formerly known as the Battle of Britain Air Display has been an annual fixture in the Guernsey calendar for over forty years.
Free to watch, the air show always includes an impressive array of military aircrafts both historical and modern day. This popular event remembers and honours those who served in the Royal Air Force during World War II and in particular the pilots and crews who served in the Battle of Britain from June – October 1940.
October 2020
Tennerfest
Each year, local chefs gear up for a phenomenal 6 week focus on food with the Tennerfest Food Festival.
Hotels, restaurants, bistros, gastro pubs and cafes all take part in providing fixed price low cost menus showcasing the best of their cuisine and the local produce available in Guernsey. The sun may have set on summer, but October and November and great months to visit the island, especially if you love your food.
Even though Guernsey’s traditional cuisine has a distinctly Anglo-French approach, restaurants and eateries based on Chinese, Indian, Italian and other traditional flavours will be taking part in Tennerfest and offering their own particular specialities.
Menus are fixed from 3 courses for £10 per head to £12.50, £15, £17.50 and £20. The festival was created around the principle of great food at a great price, and that continues to this day.
Over 150 restaurants took part last year across the Channel Islands, offering a vast range of mouthwatering dishes.
Keep an eye out for traditional local favourites on the menus, such as bean jar and gâche melée!
Shrine of the Sacred Heart – Special Openings
‘Shell Shrine’ is a Second World War German Searchlight bunker on Fort Hommet headland at Vazon transformed from a place of war into a place of peace and beauty made entirely using local seashells. It was the inspiration of The Inspiration of Hubert Le Galloudec whose story you can read by clicking through to the Shrine of the Sacred Heart website.
Weather permitting, the shrine will be open on multiple occasions during Heritage75. Look out for the ‘shrine open’ signs on the main road or use Perry’s Guide reference 13 E1. Visits are free but donations for the continued restoration work carried out by Festung Guernsey would be gratefully received.
Festung Guernsey’s aim is to make available to the public examples of the most important fortifications built in Guernsey by the German occupying forces during WWII between 1940 and 1945.
How to get the most out of the Shell Shrine’s special opening dates…
November 2020
Tennerfest
Each year, local chefs gear up for a phenomenal 6 week focus on food with the Tennerfest Food Festival.
Hotels, restaurants, bistros, gastro pubs and cafes all take part in providing fixed price low cost menus showcasing the best of their cuisine and the local produce available in Guernsey. The sun may have set on summer, but October and November and great months to visit the island, especially if you love your food.
Even though Guernsey’s traditional cuisine has a distinctly Anglo-French approach, restaurants and eateries based on Chinese, Indian, Italian and other traditional flavours will be taking part in Tennerfest and offering their own particular specialities.
Menus are fixed from 3 courses for £10 per head to £12.50, £15, £17.50 and £20. The festival was created around the principle of great food at a great price, and that continues to this day.
Over 150 restaurants took part last year across the Channel Islands, offering a vast range of mouthwatering dishes.
Keep an eye out for traditional local favourites on the menus, such as bean jar and gâche melée!
Content and images courtesy of Visit Guernsey.