France’s D-Day events and commemorations 2026
Celebrations include official remembrance ceremonies, historic exhibitions and 1940s-themed dances
The public can attend a remembrance ceremony at the Bayeux War Cemetery, organised by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Royal British Legion
Benoist/Shutterstock
D-Day remembrance events are set to take place across France this weekend, from June 6 - 7.
Every year, the D-Day Festival Normandy takes place along the entire coastline of the D-Day sites, including the Battle of Normandy beaches from Pegasus Bridge to Sainte-Mère-Eglise.
This includes the towns of:
Vierville-Sur-Mer
Arromanches-Les-Bains
Pointe du Hoc
Colleville-Sur-Mer
Audrieu
Plus:
Utah Beach
Omaha Beach
Gold Beach
Juno Beach
Sword Beach
A full list of events taking place as part of the D-Day Festival Normandy 2025 can be seen on the Normandie Tourisme website, and a downloadable PDF of the full schedule is here.
“The 82nd Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy will see increased collaboration with international partners and veterans’ organisations, reinforcing the global significance of D-Day and fostering a shared commitment to preserving its memory,” states Normandie Tourisme.
Historic exhibitions will also be dotted across Normandy, with many continuing to the end of the month and some lasting into 2027.
A selection of events across Normandy on June 6
Bayeux, from 13:00
A free remembrance ceremony will be held at the Bayeux War Cemetery, organised by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Royal British Legion. Local veterans are expected to attend. Seats have been reserved for guests, but the general public is welcome with seats being allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Note that the Bayeux Memorial is currently undergoing renovation and so will be closed during the D-Day service.
Colleville-Montgomery, at 16:30
On the place du Débarquement at Sword Beach, a grand “Pipes and Drums” parade will take place, with musicians from across six nations: France, Switzerland, Belgium, the US, Italy and Ireland.
Bretteville-l’Orgueilleuse, at 19:30
Attend a 1940s-themed dance featuring Anglo-American and French “Victory-era” music and a meal, held at Le Studio on Place des Canadiens. Participants are encouraged to dress in period costume and booking is essential. Price: €19. Contact: upthejohns@gmail.com / 07 86 72 89 31.
Official D-Day commemoration in Langrune-sur-Mer
The cérémonie internationale du Débarquement de Normandie 2026 will be held in the village of Langrune-sur-Mer this Saturday (June 6) to mark the 82nd anniversary of the Normandy landings.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and some 400 other guests are also set to attend the event, including UK Defence Secretary John Healey and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Members of a local organisation are however calling for the cancellation of Mr Hegseth’s visit saying: “This individual promotes values that go against democracy, human rights and peace.”
Given the high-profile guests, the ceremony is accessible on an invitation-only basis, with heightened security measures put in place.
On June 6 no vehicles will be permitted to travel anywhere within the commune from midday until roads are reopened by police, and the mairie is urging locals, including pedestrians, to carry ID with them at all times.
The ceremony is set to begin at 16:30 and will be broadcast live on screens at Salle Linglonia, 16 Rue Grange Denis, in Langrune-sur-Mer. Note that places are limited.
