2024 D-Day commemorations calendar

Location: Estry (Calvados)
– 10:30 am: ceremony attended by KOSB members.

Location: Mont Pinçon (Calvados)
– 1:30 pm: ceremony attended by the 13/18 Hussars Association and members of the Light Dragoons Regiment.

Location: Colleville-sur-Mer (Calvados)
– Time to be confirmed: Memorial Day ceremony at the American military cemetery.

Location: Saint-James (Manche)
– Time to be confirmed: Memorial Day ceremony at the American military cemetery.

Location: Normandy landing beaches
– 11:30 pm: fireworks fired simultaneously from several municipalities along the landing beaches.

Location: Angoville-au-Plain (Manche)
– 10:00: mass in the church.
– 11.30 am: commemorative ceremony, Toccoa Square.

Location: Carentan-les-Marais (Manche)
– 9:00 pm: free show, Place du Grand Valnoble, on the theme of the “song of the combatants”, the story of three women who lived through the war: a resistance fighter, a collaborator and a Jew.

Location: Courseulles-sur-Mer (Calvados)
– 3pm-5pm: from the tourist office (n°5, rue du 11 Novembre), guided tour by Corine Vervaeke on the history of the Canadian landing at Courseulles, with presentation of historical objects and period costumes. Prices: 3 to 10 Euros.

Location: Méautis (Manche)
– 10:45 pm: immersive show at Donville Manor on the theme of the Battle of Bloody Gulch on June 12 and 13, 1944. Price: 15 Euros per person (free for children under 5). Reservation: +33 (0)6.47.51.02.69.

Location: Merville-Franceville-Plage (Calvados)
– 2 pm: military vehicle display in the beach parking lot.
– 4:30 pm: parade of military vehicles on Avenue de Paris.

Location: Ouistreham (Calvados)
– 9:00 pm: Concert for Peace on Riva-Bella beach, with a special performance by the music of the French Foreign Legion. Free admission.

Location: Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer (Calvados)
– 10am-12:30pm: from the tourist office (Digue Favreau), guided tour by Marine Donnet-Mériel on the history of the Canadians landing in Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer. Free.

Location: Sainte-Marie-du-Mont (Manche)
– 11:00am: ceremony to pay tribute to the French Resistance, 101st Airborne street.

Location: Utah Beach (Manche)
– Time to be confirmed: International March for Peace.
– 09:45am: departure of the “Relais du Souvenir Morbihan” linking Utah Beach to the Emile Bouétard stele in Plumelec (Brittany).

Location: Brévands (Manche)
– 10.30 am: ceremony at the Filthy 13 monument at the Moulin.

Location: Caen (Calvados)
– 37th Marathon de la Liberté (Normandy Running Festival). Information: marathondelaliberte.fr.
– 2 pm: at the port of Caen, gathering of several visitable historical ships of World War II, from Operation Dynamo in Dunkirk to Operation Overlord in Normandy. Exhibition on the history of the FNFL (Free France Navy) by the Fondation de la France Libre.

Location: Carentan-les-Marais (Manche)
– 10 am: demonstration by the US Army of the Air Assault, Route de Saint-Côme (subject to favourable weather conditions).
– 11 am and 3 pm: parachuting in period dress from 9 Douglas C-47 aircraft, Route de Saint-Côme (subject to favourable weather conditions).
– 4 pm: ceremony at the Carré de Choux (Cabbage patch), northern industrial zone.
– 5 pm: military parade from the Carré de Choux to the Signal monument.
– 5:30 pm: ceremony at the Signal Monument.

Location: Gonneville-en-Auge (Calvados)
– 09:30 am: 3-hour guided historical walk in the footsteps of Canadian and British paratroopers. Registration required at the Merville battery.

Location: Mandeville-en-Bessin (Calvados)
– 3 pm: ceremony in front of the town hall in tribute to the 95th (US) Infantry Division (temporarily stationed there in September 1944).

Location: Méautis (Manche)
– 10:45 p.m.: immersive show at Donville Manor on the theme of the Battle of Bloody Gulch on June 12 and 13, 1944. Price: 15 Euros per person (free for children under 5). Reservation: 06.47.51.02.69.

Location: Néhou (Manche)
– 10 am: commemorative ceremony at Camp Patton. Address: 53, rue de la belle manière.

Location: Saint-Côme-du-Mont (Manche)
– 8 am-4 pm: militaria scholarship at Château Belleneau, 6 rue du Bel Esnault. Price: 4 Euros per person, free for under 12 years. Contact: montybay44@gmail.com.

Location: Sainte-Mère-Eglise (Manche)
– Times to be confirmed: History and Memory book fair.
– 4pm: 1940s-themed parade (re-enactors in civilian clothes and resistance fighters).

Location: Arromanches-les-Bains (Calvados)
– 7pm: concert-aubade by a hundred bagpipes on the esplanade of the Landing Museum.

Location: Carentan-les-Marais (Manche)
– 6pm: reception of American soldiers in families of the region for dinner. Registration: +33 (0)7 83 52 58 88.

Location: Hiesville (Manche)
– 2:30pm: 8 km historical walking tour in the footsteps of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (101st Airborne). Price: 2 Euros per person (free for children under 18). Registration: +33 (0)2 33 21 00 33 or tourisme@ccbdc.fr.

Location: Houesville (Manche)
– 10am: inauguration ceremony of a stele in memory of four soldiers killed on the night of 8 June 1944, at the place called La Pierre.

Location: Montmartin-en-Graignes (Manche)
– 3pm: commemorative ceremony at the church.

Location: Saint-Côme-du-Mont (Manche)
– 11am : street dedication ceremony in honour of an American paratrooper.

Location: Sainte-Mère-Eglise (Manche)
– 9:30am: inauguration of a monument dedicated to the French Resistance.
– 3pm: ceremony at the monument to the three cemeteries, rue Eisenhower.
– 4pm: ceremony at the Alexandre Renaud monument, rue du général de Gaulle.
– 5pm: ceremony at the AVA monument, rue du général de Gaulle.
– 6pm: families and servicemen welcome at the town hall. Information: +33 (0)6.80.32.55.99.
– 6pm: church square, vintage vehicle exhibition.

Location: Beuzeville-au-Plain (Manche)
– 6pm: ceremony at the Agnès Bienaimé monument, rue de l’église.

Location: Ranville (Calvados)
– 10:30am: Ceremony at the British military cemetery in memory of Private Édouard Gérard, the first Belgian soldier of the independent Piron group to be killed on August 16, 1944.

Location: Sainte-Marie-du-Mont (Manche)
– 10am: ceremony at the Winters Leadership Monument, D913 road.
– 5pm: free screening of the documentary film “The Girl who wore freedom” in the church square.

Location: Sainte-Mère-Eglise (Manche)
– 09:30am: ceremony at the Roosevelt monument, Sainte-Ôde roundabout.
– 10am – 5:30pm: exhibition of vintage vehicles.
– 2pm: children’s parade to milestone 0 in front of the town hall.
– 2:30pm: guided glider demonstration, church square.
– 3pm: ceremony at milestone 0 in front of the town hall.
– 8pm: documentary theater on the church square, evoking General de Gaulle and General Eisenhower.

Location: Amfreville (Calvados)
– 3pm: guided tour of the town of Amfreville, presentation of the Occupation until the Liberation. Price: 5 to 7 Euros. Registration required.

Location: Amfreville (Manche)
– 11am: inauguration of a monument in memory of the landing point of General Gavin on June 6, 1944 in the hamlet of Heutes.
– 9pm: candlelight vigil in the chapel of Cauquigny in memory of the allied paratroopers in the presence of American chaplains and the parish priest of Sainte-Mère-Eglise. Registration: 06 71 26 22 09.

Location: Bénouville (Calvados)
– 7pm: welcome concert for veterans’ families and friends, on the esplanade west of the Salle Polyvalente.
– 11:30pm: musical fireworks – Midnight Ceremony.

Location: Caen (Calvados)
– 2:30pm: ceremony in the Memorial’s British garden.

Location: Carentan-les-Marais (Manche)
– 9am-1pm: gathering of vintage military vehicles, Place du Valnoble.
– 4:30pm: parade of military vehicles through the town center.
– 8:30pm: jazz concert, Salle du Haut Dick. Free admission.

Location: Colleville-Montgomery (Calvados)
– 3.30pm-5pm: bagpipe parade along the boulevard maritime to Place du Débarquement.

Location: Colleville-sur-Mer (Calvados)
– 10am-5.30pm: Battle of Normandy book fair, under the Overlord Museum marquee.
Free admission.

Location: Merville-Franceville-Plage (Calvados)
– 10pm: sound and light show with extras from the attack on the Merville battery. Base price: 20 Euros.

Location: Neuville-au-Plain (Manche)
– 4:00 pm: ceremony at the castle, at the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment plaque.

Location: Picauville (Manche)
– 2:30 pm: ceremony at the hamlet of Gueutteville in honour of Father Maternowski, American military chaplain killed on June 6, 1944.

Location: Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer (Calvados)
– 10am-12:30pm: from the tourist office (Digue Favreau), guided tour by Marine Donnet-Mériel on the history of the Canadians landing in Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer. Free.

Location: Saint-Germain-de-Varreville (Manche)
– 6 pm:  eremony at the Pathfinders stele, at the junction of the D14 and D129 roads.

Location: Saint-Lô (Manche)
– Time to be confirmed: ceremony at the Saint-Lô stud farm in memory of civilian victims, in the presence of the President of the French Republic.

Location: Sainte-Marie-du-Mont (Manche)
– 9 pm: guided immersive walk in the footsteps of American paratroopers. Departure from the church to the Holdy battery. Price: 10 Euros per person. Information: +33 (0)2 33 44 81 20.

Location: Sainte-Mère-Eglise (Manche)
– 09:30: Ceremony at the stele of Generals Gavin and Ridway in front of the town hall.
– 10:00 am: military vehicle exhibition.
– 11:00 am: military vehicle parade.
– 2pm: parachute drop on the church square (subject to favorable weather conditions).
– 3pm: re-enactment and demonstration of paratroopers before their jump, church square.
– 3:45pm: glider demonstration, church square.
– 5:00 pm: military vehicle exhibition.

– 9pm: musical comedy, church square.

– 11.30pm: anti-aircraft searchlight demonstration, church square.

aria market on the site of the old covered market, rue de la liberté. Price: 5 Euros per adult. Free for children under 12 and active military personnel in uniform.

Location: Amfreville (Manche)
– 2:30pm: 8 km historical walking tour in the footsteps of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment and 325th Glider Infantry Regiment. Price: 2 Euros per person (free for children under 18). Registration: +33 (0)2 33 21 00 33 or tourisme@ccbdc.fr.

Location: Angoville-au-Plain (Manche)
– 8pm: Liberation Ball near the church.

Location: Asnelles (Calvados)
– 08:45am: 20 km guided historical hike in the footsteps of No. 47 Commando to Port-en-Bessin. Return shuttle possible. Free. Registration is mandatory.

Location: Bénouville (Calvados)
– 10am-00pm: concerts and entertainment on the theme of liberation.

Location: Caen (Calvados)
– Time to be confirmed: ceremony in memory of the civilians of Caen on the esplanade Jean-Marie-Louvel opposite the Town Hall, in the presence of veterans and school groups.

Location: Carentan-les-Marais (Manche)
– 10am: (subject to confirmation) inauguration of the coat of arms of the 101st Airborne Division on the tomb of Danièle Laisney at Carentan cemetery, killed at the age of three while attending a military ceremony on 23 June 1944.
– 2pm-4pm: parade of military vehicles from the cattle market to the city centre.

Location: Colleville-sur-Mer (Calvados)
– 12 pm: official bi-national Franco-American ceremony at the military cemetery, in the presence of the American and French presidents. Access subject to invitation.

Location: Courseulles-sur-Mer (Calvados)
– 11 am: official bi-national French-Canadian ceremony. Access subject to invitation.

Location: Creully-sur-Seulles (Calvados)
– Schedule to be confirmed: musical walk with about 30 musicians from the Pipe Band “The Seaforth Highlanders of Holland Memorial Pipes and Drums”.

Location: Dives-sur-Mer (Calvados)
– 6 pm: screening at the cinema of the Drakkar of the documentary “A River for Freedom, the Dives” (in French) made from witness testimonies and explanations by specialists, followed by a debate. Free admission.

Location: Méautis (Manche)
– 10:45 pm: immersive show at Donville Manor on the theme of the Battle of Bloody Gulch on June 12 and 13, 1944. Price: 15 Euros per person (free for children under 5). Reservation: +33 (0)6.47.51.02.69.

Location: Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer (Calvados)
– 2:00-4:30 pm: historic hike in the footsteps of the Canadian North Shore Regiment from Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer to Tailleville. Free.

Location: Saint-Charles-de-Percy (Calvados)
– 4.45pm: ceremony at the British War Cemetery

Location: Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer (Calvados)
– 3 pm: international ceremony of the Normandy landings in the presence of heads of state and government. Access subject to invitation.

Location: Sainte-Marie-du-Mont – Utah Beach (Manche)
– 06:30 am: Re-enactment of the Normandy landings by the American army and extras in period costume.

Location: Sainte-Mère-Eglise (Manche)
– 9:30 am: Remembrance mass in the church.
– 10 am: ceremony at La Fière.
– 2:15 pm: glider demonstration, church square.
– 3 pm: presentation of the first combats, church square.

Location: Ver-sur-Mer (Calvados)
– 10:30 am: official bi-national Franco-British ceremony at the British memorial. Access subject to invitation.

Lieu : Amfreville (Manche)
– 11:00 am: ceremony at the monument of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment (82nd Airborne Division).

Location: Angoville-au-Plain (Manche)
– 2pm-5pm: immersion in the footsteps of the American paratroopers. As the total number of participants has been reached, the organizers are no longer accepting new registrations.

Location: Caen (Calvados)
– 2.30 pm: Remembrance ceremony at the Canadian Garden of Remembrance, Caen Memorial.

Location: Chef-du-Pont (Manche)
– 10 am: ceremony at the Rex Combs monument, on the D70.

Location: Colleville-sur-Mer (Calvados)
– 8:00 am: parade of military vehicles from the Overlord Museum, along Omaha Beach, then back to the Overlord Museum.
– 2pm-3.30pm: veterans meet children from Trévières and the public at the Overlord Museum.

Location: Etienville (Manche)
– 4pm: ceremony at the Joseph Piché stele, route de la Lande.

Location: Foucarville (Manche)
– 3:30pm: ceremony at the German prison camp monument, on the D14 road.

Location: Gourbesville (Manche)
– 9:30 am: inauguration of the square “Virgil Tangborn” (90th Infantry Division), church square, and ceremony at the 82nd Airborne Division monument.

Location: Hérouville-Saint-Clair (Calvados)
– 7pm: free open-air concert along the canal, 155 rue de Beaulue.

Location: Luc-sur-Mer (Calvados)
– 4pm-6pm: gathering of several dozen Jeeps (static display and parade). For more information: Jeepsbackinnormandy2024@web.de.

Location: Méautis (Manche)
– 10:45 pm: immersive show at Donville Manor on the theme of the Battle of Bloody Gulch on June 12 and 13, 1944. Price: 15 Euros per person (free for children under 5). Reservation: +33 (0)6.47.51.02.69.

Location: Ranville (Calvados)
– 10:30 am: guided tour on the theme of the fights of Ranville. Prices: from 5 to 7 Euros. Registration required.

Location: Sainte-Mère-Eglise (Manche)
– 10 am: exhibition of vintage vehicles.
– 2:15pm: demonstration of the role of scouts, combat, gliders, church square.
– 7 pm: documentary theater on the church square.

Location: Tilly-la-Campagne (Calvados)
– 10:00am: inauguration of a monument commemorating the tank battles of Operation Goodwood.

Location: Thaon (Calvados)
– Evening: large vigil with written and oral testimonies from witnesses to the liberation.

Location: Trévières (Calvados)
– 6pm: conference on the liberation of Trévières in cinema.

Location: Ouistreham (Calvados)
– 10:10 pm: Open-air film screening on Riva-Bella beach, at aid station N°1. Free admission.

Location: Arromanches-les-Bains (Calvados)
– 3:00 pm: air meeting.

Location: Bretteville-l’Orgueilleuse (Calvados)
– 2:00 pm: parade of civil and military vehicles in the main street of Bretteville-l’Orgueilleuse.
– 7:30 pm: liberation ball on the theme of the 40s at the Victor Lorier gymnasium, rue de la Pérelle. Dress for the 40s recommended.

Location: Carentan-les-Marais (Manche)
– 10am-4pm: Jeep rally at the Marina, Haut Dick canal. Information: +33 (0)6 83 11 16 44.
– 4:30 pm: arrival of the great parade of the exodus (reconstitution of civilians in period dress) and the Carentan Liberty March, Holgate Street and Republic Square.
– 7:30 pm: concert-aperitif with the 101st Airborne Division orchestra, Haut Dick Hall.
– 9:00 pm: Liberation Ball, Upper Dick Hall.

Location: Chef-du-Pont (Manche)
– 09 am: American football match at the stadium, between the 82nd Airborne Division team and the 101st Airborne Division team.

Location: Colleville-Montgomery (Calvados)
– 10 am: parade of military vehicles of time until Ouistreham (arrival expected at the Casino Gardens around 12:30 pm).

Location: Colleville-sur-Mer (Calvados)
– 9-10:30 am: travelling exhibition at the Overlord Museum of a convoy of several hundred vintage military vehicles.

Location: Gonfreville (Manche) – Lieu-dit la carrière Hausley
– 4:15pm: Tribute to the 4 crewmen of a Sherman tank of the 712th Tank Battalion killed in a mine explosion near chemin de l’hôpital on July 26, 1944 during the fighting to liberate Périers.

Location: Grandcamp-Maisy (Calvados)
– 09:30: Hope regatta.
– 11:45 am: trawlers depart to the sound of foghorns.
– 12:00 pm: military parade.
– 4pm: entertainment on the theme of the return of the exodus.
– 5pm: entertainment on the theme of the wedding of Liberty.
– 6:00 pm: period soccer match.
– 7pm: Liberation Ball.
– 11.15pm: fireworks display.

Location: Isigny-sur-Mer (Calvados)
– 4:45-6:30 pm: travelling exhibition in front of the town hall of a convoy of several hundred military vehicles.

Location: Le Plessis-Lastelle (Manche)
10:45 a.m.: Tribute to the men of the 90th (US) Infantry Division in the presence of Carver Mc Griff, American veteran wounded and taken prisoner at this spot on July 7, 1944 during the fighting to capture Mont Castre (Hill 122).

Location: Le Molay-Littry (Calvados)
– 9:30am: 8 km walk in memory of 1st Lieutenant Arthur Krause, from the mill.
– 2pm: parade of military vehicles.
– 3pm: parade on the theme of the return of the exodus of civilians.

Location: Méautis (Manche)
– 6.30 pm: ceremony in tribute to the victims of the fighting of 12 and 13 June at the manor of Donville.
– 9:00 pm: jazz concert at Donville Manor.
– 10:45 pm: immersive show at Donville Manor on the theme of the Battle of Bloody Gulch on June 12 and 13, 1944. Price: 15 Euros per person (free for children under 5). Reservation: +33 (0)6.47.51.02.69.

Location: Périers (Manche)
– 5:45pm: Tribute at the civilian victims’ stele, then at the Quatre Braves monument in memory of the bombings of June 8 and 13, 1944, to those involved in the resistance and the men of the 90th (US) Infantry Division, in the presence of a detachment of soldiers from the Franco-German brigade.

Location: Reviers (Calvados)
– 5-6:30 pm: children’s conference to explain the Canadian military cemetery. Free access.

Location: Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer (Calvados)
– 5 pm: realization of two human chains on the beach to form the number “80” with the inhabitants of La Cambe and Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer. Carpooling from La Cambe at 2 pm.

Location: Sainte-Mère-Eglise (Manche)
– 5 pm: ceremony at the Signal monument, place de l’église.
– 7:30pm: free documentary theater, place de l’église.
– 11:30pm: fireworks display.

Location: Thaon (Calvados)
– 5 pm: commemorative ceremony with unveiling of a plaque in memory of Elliot Trudeau.

Location: Tour-en-Bessin (Calvados)
– 2pm: parade of military vehicles.
– 11pm: fireworks.

Location: Trévières (Calvados)
– 3:45pm: reconstitution of the liberation of Trévières.
– 5pm: outdoor entertainment.
– 7pm: wine of honour.
– 10:30pm: illumination of facades.

Location: Arromanches-les-Bains (Calvados)
– 3:30pm: Arromanches D-Day Cross Triathlon. Swimming in the middle of the artificial port, mountain biking on the landing beaches and running on the heights of Arromanches. Free.

Location: Carentan-les-Marais (Manche)
– 10:30am: ecumenical ceremony at Notre-Dame Church, followed by the inauguration of a restored stained glass window dedicated to the 101st Airborne Division.
– 8:30pm: concert with 101st Airborne Division Orchestra, Haut Dick Hall.

Location: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (Manche)
– 3pm: free guided tour (duration: 2 hours) on the theme of the city during the Occupation. Reservation at the tourist office.

Location: La Fière, Sainte-Mère-Eglise (Manche)
– 10am: large commemorative parachute drop (weather permitting).
– 4pm: ceremony at the Iron Mike monument.

Location: Méautis (Manche)
– 10:45pm: immersive show at Donville Manor on the theme of the Battle of Bloody Gulch on June 12 and 13, 1944. Price: 15 Euros per person (free for children under 5). Reservation: +33 (0)6.47.51.02.69.

Location: Carentan-les-Marais (Manche)
– 6pm: ceremony for peace in the presence of pupils, Place de la République.

Location: Carentan-les-Marais (Manche)
– 5.30pm: ceremony for the liberation of the city, Place de la République.
– 6.30pm: Danièle Laisney’s tomb blooms in Carentan cemetery.

Location: Creully-sur-Seulles (Calvados)
– 6pm: lecture on the liberation of Creully and the history of this town during the Battle of Normandy by Augustin de Canchy. Address: 30, place Edmond Paillaud.

Location: Carentan-les-Marais (Manche)
– Day: 19.44 km run from Utah Beach to Carentan. Contact: m.montigny@carentan.fr or michel.lahougue@orange.fr.

Location: Caen (Calvados)
– Time to be confirmed: ceremony to mark the liberation of Caen’s left bank, Place Monseigneur-des-Hameaux.

Location: Caen (Calvados)
– 4:00 pm: ceremony marking the liberation of Caen’s right bank, rue d’Auge, opposite the Canadian stele.

Location: Tribehou (Manche)
– 09:00 am: ceremony to commemorate the deaths of the 297th Engineer Combat Battalion on 21 July 1944.

Location: Les Loges (Calvados)
– 10:30 am: ceremony at the Scots Guards memorial, south-west of Les Loges village.

Location: Saint-Martin-de-Varreville (Manche)
– Time to be confirmed: ceremony in memory of Leclerc’s 2nd French armored division at the Signal monument.

Location: Burcy (Calvados)
– 10:30 am: ceremony at the Route de la Pavée monument (south of Burcy).

Location: Chênedollé (Calvados)
– 11 am: ceremony at the 11th Armoured Division monument.

Location: Putanges (Orne)
– 11 am: ceremony at the 11th Armoured Division monument.

Location: L’Aigle (Orne)
– Time to be confirmed: commemorative ceremony.