A Guide to D-Day 80 Events
There are a whole series of D-Day 80 events planned to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day that took place on 6th June 1944.
INTERNATIONAL CEREMONY, THE MAIN D-DAY 80 EVENT – THURSDAY 6TH JUNE
The main event will be held on the morning of 6th June at the Normandy American Cemetery on Omaha Beach. This will be a ticket only event for veterans, veterans’ families and dignitaries from all over the world. Due to the high profile guest list there will be security measures in place and also road closures. There’s information from the venue that covers arrangements for both the 5th and 6th June and it will be updated nearer the time. You can read more about a visit to the Normandy American Cemetery here.
THE D-DAY 80 EVENTS PROGRAMME
The D-Day Festival runs from 1 – 16 June. There will be other events before and after these dates – particularly to mark the liberation of towns as the forces advanced. Events for the 80th commemorations are gradually being added to the Normandy Tourism webpage. Scroll down to the bottom of the webpage to see the events list. The link is in French (as it’s the most up-to-date version) but you can click on the FR button and choose from English, Dutch, German, Spanish or Italian. The programme will be available in March.
ROAD CLOSURES AND OTHER PRACTICALITIES
There’s currently no specific information on road closures, but it’s likely that a large sector will be closed on the morning of 6th June. Security measures will be in place due to the dignitaries attending the main event. Once the programme is published there may be other events taking place on the 6th where travel will not be as restricted.
LARGE EVENTS
Interactive map: https://80e-normandie.fr/carte-des-evenements
The Overlord Museum – Omaha Beach (near to the American Cemetery) has a programme of events from 2nd – 9th June although they are closed on the 6th. There’s information on their Facebook page.
Standing With Giants will be installing 1475 soldier silhouettes at the British Normandy Memorial from Spring through to the end of the Summer.
At nightfall on Saturday 1st June over 20 huge firework displays will light up the sky simultaneously over the 5 landing beaches.
EXHIBITIONS
Rising to the Challenge – Exhibition at Juno Centre from March 1st through to December.
The Longest Yarn – a knitted tapestry will be displayed in Carentan
CONCERTS
Le Tattoo de la Liberté is an international military music festival that will be held from 7th – 9th June in Saint-James (near Avranches in Manche)
LINKS TO D-DAY PAGES ON TOURIST BOARD WEBSITES
Calvados Tourist Board https://www.calvados-tourisme.co.uk/75th-anniversary-of-the-d-day-landings/
Manche Tourist Board https://www.manche.fr/dday/
Attitude Manche https://www.attitude-manche.fr/debarquement/anniversaire/
GUIDED TOURS
If you are looking to take a guided tour this page is recommended by the Normandy Tourist Board https://normandyguides.com/
ACCOMMODATION
Many owners have been booked for the D-Day 80 events dates since last year. There may be some availability from owners who are further away from the landing beaches. At Normandy Gite Holidays, most of June 2024 is currently booked. However there is availability either before or after. There will be liberation events throughout the summer and even some D-Day 80 events from April onwards. If you can’t be in Normandy for D-Day, then many of the D-Day sites are open all year round including cemeteries, museums, memorials, monuments and the beaches themselves.
LIBERATION EVENTS
As the Allied troops advanced and German troops withdrew, villages, towns and cities were liberated. Many of them will be celebrating their liberation with a D-Day 80 event on the anniversary of their freedom. Events will be announced nearer the times but a flavour of those advertised so far include:
18 July, Coutances
26 – 28 July, Gavray. A three day event with military vehicle, reanctements, photos, a peace meal, dancing and a firework display.
26 – 31 July, Granville
28 July, Agon Coutainville will hold a concert featuring jazz music from the 1940s.
OTHER RESOURCES
You can download the D-Day 1944 Visitor Guide brochure listing the key D-Day sites.
For more information, photos and videos, read the Normandy Gite Holidays’ Guide to the D-Day sites
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