Updated on 29 April 2024
Reading time: 6 minutes
Throughout Normandy
1 - 16 June 2024 (D-Day Festival)
Normandy will forever be marked by the D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy that led to the liberation of France and Europe. 2024 will mark the 80th Anniversary of this historic event, and with it, a momentous occasion to celebrate peace, liberty and reconciliation. A rich and unprecedented programme of events will be put together to bring the memory of this tragic period of world history to life, all while emphasizing the spirit of hope.
The memory lives on
On 6th June 1944, and during the long summer which followed, soldiers from the world over came to fight in Normandy to defeat Nazism and to re-establish Freedom. Normandy will bear the scars of the moment in history forever, and every year we remember and pay tribute to the veterans from America, Britain, Canada, Belgium, Denmark, Holland, Norway, Poland, Australia, France and their brothers in arms, to those many heroes who lost their lives here during that summer, and are at rest in the cemeteries to be found throughout the area. It is often forgotten that the people of Normandy also paid a heavy price in those terrible battles. Each anniversary year is the occasion to pay tribute to the fallen and to the veterans who will come to attend the commemorative events and celebrations organized in Normandy. Lest we forget.
The Normandy region is encouraging all those who wish to express their gratitude to leave a testimonial on this webpage.
An important anniversary
In 2024, Normandy will honour the memory of these events and the men and women who came from all over the world to liberate us. A regional mobilisation will take place to celebrate this major ten-year anniversary. It will be the perfect occasion for visitors to discover, or rediscover, the main memorial sites, the cemeteries, the key places and the museums which bear witness to this tragic period of time. These important places are today imbued with fundamental and universal values such as Reconciliation, Peace and Freedom. Our hope is that your visit will present a special moment for you to share with your loved ones.
a unique event
For this very special occasion, Normandy’s ambition is to offer a major family-friendly event, aimed at Normans and visitors alike, who have little or no access to official ceremonies. The date of Saturday 1st June, at nightfall, has been chosen for this event, on the weekend ahead of 6thJune. Over 20 huge firework displays will light up the sky simultaneously over the 5 Landing Beaches. A beautiful family-friendly and free event.
THE INTERNATIONAL CEREMONY
It’s official:
The official international ceremony will take place on Thursday 6 June 2024 on Omaha Beach. Many heads of state, veterans and officials will commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day (by invitation only).
On this day, please take note that for security reasons many beaches and sectors will be cordoned off with no access to visitors, vehicles etc (see map below).
Other ceremonies include the following:
5th June: International Ceremony in tribute to the civilian victims, Saint-Lô
6th June: Franco-American Ceremony in Colleville-sur-Mer, before the official International Ceremony
6th June: Franco-Canadian Ceremony in Courseulles-sur-Mer, after the official International Ceremony
7th June: Ceremony with American President Joe Biden in Cherbourg
7th June: Bayeux Liberation Ceremony with President Macron in Bayeux
Below is a map of the Restricted Traffic Zone on 6th June:
A VERY SPECIAL FESTIVAL
Each year from end May to mid-June, the tourist offices of the Landing Beaches area invite you to celebrate freedom! During the D-Day Festival Normandy, visitors will enjoy a popular program of festive and cultural events to mark the anniversary of the Allied Landings. The D-Day Festival Normandy takes place along the entire coastline of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, from Pegasus Bridge to Sainte-Mère-Eglise, including Ouistreham, Arromanches, Pointe du Hoc, and of course the five iconic sectors of Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach and Sword Beach. Parachuting, parades, concerts, historical re-enactments, fireworks, exhibitions, projections… The festival offers over 100 events, and promises to be bigger and better than ever before in 2024!
You can now download the full programme here!
events certified by the Normandy Region
To put together a schedule of events that will take place throughout Normandy during this anniversary year, the Normandy Region has worked on a label to certify several hundreds of them, over a period stretching from 1 March to 15 October 2024.
Synchronized fireworks at the major D-Day sites, giant picnic on Omaha Beach, Liberation balls, bagpipe parades, international parachuting of hundreds of soldiers above Sainte-Mère-Église, etc. The festivities will take place throughout the year and particularly in fine weather. A great way for everyone to join in this spirit of fraternity.
The programme and map of events is available HERE (in French).
Standing with Giants installation
A total of 1,475 silhouettes by ‘Standing with Giants’ have appeared at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, representing the number of fatalities under British command on 6 June 1944. This art installation is part of D-Day 80 commemorations at the Memorial and will be available to visit throughout Summer. Standing with Giants is a community project, set up in 2019 by Oxfordshire community artist, Dan Barton, and a group of local volunteers. They create large scale art installations using recycled building materials and provide meaningful spaces for people to visit and reflect.
NORMANDY FOR PEACE
TheNormandy for Peace World Forumwas created in 2016 on the back of an initiative to promote the values of peace and freedom to the general public and in particular with the young in mind.It now takes place every year at the Women’s Abbey in Caen and consists of a series of conferences that bring together leading international thinkers and Nobel Peace Prize winners. The programme also includes cultural activities and social events.
Spend less with the Explore Normandy Pass
For just 1 euro, make the most of the reductions on offer with the Explore Normandy Pass on entry tickets and in the shops of museums and sites linked to the D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy.
You will also have access to extra articles, fun games and exclusive testimonies about the history of the D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy. The App and website will be available on 20 May > explorenormandypass.com
FAQ
When will the official programme be available?
The full programme of events for the D-Day Festival is available HERE. The programme of events certified by the Normandy Region is available HERE (in French for the moment).
Where can I get a map of the Landing Beaches?
You can download and print the map right here.
You can also download the official visitors guide here.
Where can I find accommodation?
Please take note that most hotels located in Bayeux, Caen and close to the D-Day Landing Beaches are already fully-booked for early June. We recommend looking for accommodation in Le Havre, Rouen or Dieppe, which have many options, in the Cotentin or in towns inland such as Lisieux, Bernay, Pont-Audemer, Pont-L’Evêque, Evreux or Louviers. All of these towns are located close to the A13 motorway.
Can I visit the beaches and museums with my children or grandchildren?
Yes of course, and most museums and remembrance sites are committed to sharing this period of history in a way that’s suitable for children and teenagers. You’ll find full information here. However, please be aware that some images and exhibitions in museums may be disturbing for younger children.
Where can I find a guide?
You can book an official English-speaking guide for a private tour of the D-Day Landing Beaches and sites here.
You can also take group tours with several companies such as Normandy Sightseeing Tours, Beaches of Normandy Tours, Gold Beach Company, Bayeux Shuttle, HQ Company Tour, Normandy D-Day Tours, Bayeux Sightseeing Tours…
When is the best time to visit the Landing Beaches this year?
The beaches and cemeteries can be visited year-round, although January can be challenging as many museums and restaurants are closed that month. Early June will be very crowded and most accommodation is already fully-booked, so we recommend visiting a little later that month or throughout the summer, when there will still be many events going on. Weather is fair in Normandy from early spring to end autumn, and can even get pretty hot during the summer.
I don’t have car, how can i get to the Landing Beaches and visit the major sites?
You’ll find comprehensive information and insights on ways to visit the D-Day Landing Beaches without a car on this webpage.
How do I request a sticker for the Restricted travel zone on 6th june?
You will need a sticker if you are:
• Guests of hotels, B&Bs or campsites located within the RTZ
• Involved in day-to-day economic and social life who will be circulating the RTZ on 6th June, 2024 (taxis, public services, coach operators, company vehicles, etc.)
All pass requests must be sentto this address:[emailprotected]
Don’t miss
The D-Day Landing Beaches
D-Day 1944 Visitor Guide
D-Day sites and museums
Opening of the new D-Day Museum in Arromanches
Updated on 11 July 2023
Sea kayaking amid iconic D-Day landmarks
Updated on 26 January 2024
the D-Day Landing Beaches with children
Updated on 26 January 2024
