What Made Jerseys Liberation Day So Special? Everything You Need to Know About This Life-Changing Historic Event

Liberation Day is an annual celebration held on the island on 9th May. Honouring the Channel Islands’ liberation from the German Occupation that took hold of the islands for many years throughout World War II, Liberation Day marks a monumental date in the islands’ history. Although the biggest celebrations are in the island’s capital of St Helier, festivities are held island-wide with every parish participating. From colourful parades floating through villages to historical exhibitions documenting island history, there is something for everyone to get involved with. A national public holiday for the island, it is an extremely important date on the island’s calendar, one when every islander comes together is joyous celebration.

The German Invasion

Although war was declared in September 1939, the Second World War had little impact on the Channel Islands for much of the first year of conflict. Unlike in the UK where conscription was mandatory, it was not on the Channel Islands and islanders could choose whether to sign up to defend the British Empire or not. A number of people travelled to the UK to sign up as volunteers as expected but for most islanders, life carried on as normal up until 10th May 1940. With the beginning of the Battle of France and Germany attacking France Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg by both air and foot, the war became more of a concern to the island as it grew closer. The following month on 11th June, the Channel Islands became involved in the war when bomber aircrafts departed from Jersey and Guernsey airfields as part of British war efforts. Only ten of the thirty six Whitley bombers reached their target destination due to weather conditions but as part of this failed effort, the British Empire declared four days later that the Channel Islands would not be defended due to lack of strategic importance. Although the Channel Islands were declared open towns, Germany was unaware of this action.

With Germany getting closer, the need for a civilian evacuation escalated quickly, but with different islands having different communications with the UK, advice was inconsistent across the islands. By this time, nearby Cherbourg was already occupied, but in Jersey, the government advised islanders to stay, and while 23,000 Jersey civilians registered to leave in a population of almost 50,000, only 6600 were evacuated.

With the Germans not realising that the Channel Islands had been demilitarised, they advanced on the islands, although approaching with caution. They bombed the harbours of both Jersey and Guernsey on 28th June, attempting to cut them off from sea connections. Later that day, the BBC broadcast that the islands had been demilitarised. Two days later, Germany conducted a test landing at a Guernsey airfield to determine the defence level of the islands. Declaring that the islands were undefended following this brief landing, on the 30th June 1940, the Nazi military took occupation of Guernsey. The following day, Jersey surrendered and was also occupied by Germany, becoming part of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall.

The Germany Occupation

Following the German invasion, things advanced quickly. German orders quickly became island legislation, the time zone was changed in line with most of continental Europe and even driving was switched to the right side of the road. Although life began to look very different on the island, the economy kept going, locals were employed by German forces and entertainment, including theatre and cinema, was allowed to continue. Resistance to German rule was not only a risk but felt to be counter-productive and not protecting the civilian population. Instead, island residents settled into occupation life, living relatively peacefully in comparison to other places with more than half of the population working for the Germans. This has always been deemed as controversial but the island’s government and its residents purely kept their heads above the water and waited for the war to pass in a time when they had no military protection from the British Empire.

However, as the war progressed, life became harder for civilians. Food, fuel and medicine became scarce over time, and by the winter of 1944, starvation was imminent for both islanders and military occupiers. Most of the population was saved by the arrival of Red Cross parcels, but it continued to be important to ration. In addition, rights slowly became more restricted, items were confiscated, and islanders were forced to accept more rules, resulting in more crime.

As part of the Atlantic Wall, over 16,000 slave workers were transported to the islands to build fortifications and bunkers that are still present on the island today. With the island’s government still somewhat in charge, a German order to provide local labour was refused on the grounds that it would provide military assistance to the enemy. In addition to slave workers, the Germans used labour as an alternative punishment to deportation to Germany for islanders who did not comply with curfew. The Channel Islands became one of the most heavily fortified areas of the Atlantic Wall with Hitler signing directives for the islands to become ‘impregnable fortresses’. In 1942, he declared that all islanders who were not born on the Channel Islands were to be deported to Germany. A total of 22 Jersey islanders died at Nazi prisons and concentration camps and all are honoured on a memorial in St Helier.

Liberation Day

In 1944, the Allied Forces launched the D-Day Landings, eventually liberating neighbouring Normandy from German Occupation. However, they decided to bypass the Channel Islands due to their heavy enemy defence and fortifications. As a result, the German supply lines through France for food and supplies were severed. Numerous negotiations were had between Germany, Britain and France but as the island headed towards winter, both civilians and German forces were on the brink of starvation. After months of back and forth, the Red Cross were permitted to deliver survival parcels to the islands in December of 1944. As the war continued, the Channel Islands remained occupied.

On the 8th May 1945, Churchill made a broadcast declaring that the war was over. The following morning, 9th May, the Channel Islands were liberated. HMS Beagle arrived at Jersey, and HMS Bulldog arrived at Guernsey with the German forces surrendering. The Union Flag was raised on the flagstaff of the Pomme D’Or Hotel, signifying Liberation Day.

The main Liberation forces then arrived on the islands on 12th May, bringing relief supplies and restoration plans. Although the islands went under investigation for collaborating with enemy forces, life slowly returned to normal. The occupation remains one of the biggest parts of the island’s history with historic sites and attractions scattered across the island. Liberation Day continues to be celebrated annually, honouring this time in Jersey’s history and celebrating the island’s freedom.

Liberation Day Celebrations in St Helier

Although the biggest celebrations are concentrated in the island’s capital of St Helier, there are many other events held across the island in honour of Liberation Day. Each parish has their own unique way of honouring the day and there are numerous different events to get involved in island-wide.

Liberation Day Breakfast

An annual event taking place before St Helier’s public celebrations, the Liberation Day Breakfast welcomes Jersey residents who lived on the island during the occupation. This includes those enduring occupation life, serving overseas and evacuees who all come together for a buffet breakfast.

Liberation International Music Festival

Continuing the Liberation Day celebrations into the weekend, the Liberation International Music Festival is a two-day event that takes over many venues across Jersey. Showcasing a host of local talent with a few international artists thrown in, the music festival highlights the island’s musicians and brings the Jersey residents together in a weekend of entertainment. Supporting the British Red Cross who saved many lives on the island during the final months of the occupation, this festival is more than just a music event, it is a way to raise vital funds for this important humanitarian organisation. Boasting a mixture of outdoor concerts in stunning settings and indoor music events at Jersey’s most important venues, there is music to suit everyone’s taste. The Liberation Day Concert at the Jersey Opera House always kicks off the weekend before the live music trickles across the island. From musical walks to jazz at Hamptonne, there are so many musical events to delight your ears during this festival.

Liberation Games

Organised by Jersey Sport to honour the 80th anniversary of the Liberation Day, the very first Liberation Games took place in 2025 and are set to become an annual part of the Liberation Day festivities on the island. Bringing together the school children of the parishes to compete in a series of friendly games, this event is fun, accessible and the true essence of Jersey’s calm fighting spirit.

Occupation Exhibitions

Held in the parish halls and at the Jersey Museum in St Helier, multiple Jersey parishes hold occupation exhibitions to showcase the history of one of the island’s most significant periods. Documenting the occupation-era, week-long exhibitions are hosted in St Helier, St John and St Mary, the exhibitions feature stories, photos and memorabilia from island life in World War II.

Family Fun Events

Most of the island’s twelve parishes host a family fun event in some capacity. A great way to get local parishioners of all ages together, family fun events may take place either on Liberation Day itself or on the closest weekend. Offering activities and entertainment for young to old, parish fun days are an alternative way to celebrate without the hustle and bustle of the capital.

Jersey Week

For an entire week surrounding Liberation Day, many of the island’s businesses and organisations have an Open House where residents and visitors can step inside. Getting an immersive insight into how these businesses and organisations contribute to Jersey, it is a great way to get to know the true heart and soul of Jersey. You can sign up to a backstage tour of the States Chamber for an insight into Jersey democracy, visit Jersey Dairy to discover the island’s dairy heritage or even step inside war bunkers that are rarely open to the public, offering an insight into the island’s war history.

La Fîn du Temps F’tha Tout Vaie

Translating to ‘time will tell’, La fîn du temps f’tha tout vaie celebrates the island’s native language of Jerriais with a handful of immersive experiences. Step inside the Language Room at Jersey Museum to hear the traditional mother tongue of the island in your ears. The interactive experience uses a specially commissioned soundscape to hear voices from the past and looks into how the island’s identity changed with the loss of the mother tongue. An alternative event is a free walk that offers a guided tour of St Helier’s streets to uncover the meaning and history behind the Jerriais street names. Sharing the stories the street names hold and told from the perspective of a Jersey resident forced to leave the island during the occupation, this tour reflects on the cultural identity of the island.

Other Liberation Day Celebrations in Jersey

St Clement is a parish that is big into celebrating and honouring the island’s history and heritage. Throughout the year, the parish hall hosts numerous events and exhibitions documenting and celebrating various historical events. The largest is Liberation Day, when multiple events are organised, including family fun days, tea parties and memorabilia exhibitions. Home to a slightly more senior community, the hall hosts bridge clubs, flower clubs and two W.I. organisations.

Jersey’s Liberation Day FAQ

What is Liberation Day Jersey?

In Jersey, Liberation Day is a public holiday and national event celebrating the island’s liberation from German Occupation at the end of World War II. It is a celebration of freedom, island heritage and honours the islanders who lived through it.

Is Liberation Day a bank holiday in Jersey?

Liberation Day is an annual bank holiday across the Channel Islands that is held on 9th May. Many businesses and public services may be closed on this day in line with public holiday customs.

Are shops open on Liberation Day in Jersey?

As one of the largest public holidays in the Channel Islands, many shops and businesses will be closed. However, retail spaces can obtain a Sunday hours permit for this day, regardless of whether Liberation Day falls on a Sunday, allowing them to open for a restricted time between the hours of 10am – 4pm. As a national holiday, most shops do not open and choose to remain closed.