Guernsey Events and Festivals
(Guernsey, Channel Islands, British Isles)
There is a huge number of seasonal festivals that take place around Guernsey, with events ranging from yachting and speedboat racing and sports tournaments, to jazz concerts and flower shows. Many of the biggest festivals on Guernsey take place between May and September, such as the Morlaix Yacht Race and Lower Pollet Food Festival in May, the Festival of Comedy in June, and Castle Night in July, with live entertainment staged around Castle Cornet.
Other notable things to do include the Guernsey Harbour Carnival in August, at St. Peter Port harbour, and also the popular Victor Hugo International Music Festival in September, with classical music suiting all tastes. The Beau Sejour Leisure Centre also hosts a number of live performances and various concerts, with its Beau Sejour Theatre capable of accommodating audiences of around 400 people.
Guernsey Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015
Some of the main events on the island, and also close by, are listed below.
- Guernsey Salsa Weekender - early March, takes place at Les Douvre's Hotel
- Guernsey Open Badminton Tournament - late March, attracting many leading players from the United Kingdom
- Easter Hockey Festival - late March, sporting competition for both men and women, featuring many related events
- Springtime Guernsey - throughout April, many local restaurants participate in this extravaganza of food
- Spring Floral Festival Week - mid to late April, with various horticultural events, workshops, demonstrations and RHS shows
- Wild Flower Fortnight - late April to early May, with nature walks offering the chance to explore the countryside
- Guernsey Summer Jazz - May to September, various jazz musicians and groups perform free concerts at both Cobo Bay Hotel and Les Rocquettes Hotel
- Morlaix Yacht Race - May 1st, more than 100 yachts compete in this sailing regatta, racing to various French harbours, such as La Rochelle and Dieppe
- Sark Earth Fayre - early May, on the nearby island of Sark, with live music and endless entertainment for all the family to enjoy
- Lower Pollet Food Festival - early May, a chance to enjoy al fresco dining at restaurants around Le Pollet
- Spring Walking Week - mid-May, with a series of popular walks around Guernsey
- Alderney Seafood Festival - mid-May, celebrating seafood cuisine, held on the nearby island of Alderney
- Guernsey Open Optimist Regatta - late May, a two-day sailing race for the younger generation
- Beach Life - late May, a yearly music event staged in Petit Bot Bay
- Alderney Channel Islands Golf Championships - early June, golfing tournament for both men and women, on Alderney
- Guernsey Festival of Comedy - mid-June, various local and international stand-up comedians perform at venues in St. Peter Port and around the island
- Outdoor Theatre - mid-June, held in the grounds of the Castle Cornet and performed by theatrical group 'The Lord Chamberlains Men'
- Free Entry To Guernsey Museums - mid-June, admission fees at various island museums during this event, including Castle Cornet, the Guernsey Museum and also Fort Grey
- Mediaeval Midsummer - late June, various events are staged at Castle Cornet, with many people dressed in period costume
- Outdoor Theatre - late June, theatrical extravaganza performed by the Clockhouse Theatre Company in the Market Square
- La Fete de la Mair - late June to early July, annual seafood event in St. Peter Port harbour, run by 'Good Food Guernsey'
- Summer Floral Festival Week - early July, including a large summer fete with various family orientated events and attractions
- Castle Night - mid-July, a free evening event, staged within the grounds of Castle Cornet and featuring plenty of live entertainment
- La Fete de Musique a la Ville - late July, week-long street entertainment in St. Peter Port
- Torteval Scarecrow Weekend - late July, an unusual event on Guernsey, based in the parish of Torteval
- Rocquaine Regatta - early August, with free entertainment for all ages
- Guernsey Harbour Carnival - early August, based at St. Peter Port harbour, with fun events, such as a Dinghy Race and Tug of War
- Jersey Battle of the Flowers Carnival - mid-August, world-famous parade of carnival floats, decorated with dried flowers
- Sark Grand Autumn Show - late August, featuring an array of home-grown flowers and vegetables, on the neighbouring island of Sark
- Guernsey Open Bass Festival - late August to early September, an annual fishing competition with big prize money
- Guernsey Granite Man Triathlon - late August, a sporting event comprising swimming, cycling and running
- Vale Earth Fair - late August, major music event with various concerts
- UIM Offshore Powerboat World Championships - early September, exciting speedboat races between Guernsey and Sark
- Aviation Week - early to mid-September, offering pleasure flights in both planes and helicopters, as well as flight displays
- Alderney Half Marathon - early September, popular road race on Alderney
- International Air Rally - early September, held at the Guernsey Aero Club
- Channel Islands Festival of Arts and Crafts - mid-September, takes place at the Beau Sejour Leisure Centre, with almost 100 different craft stalls
- Victor Hugo International Music Festival - mid to late September, with various classical music concerts, including string quartets
- Autumn Walking Week - late September, a worthwhile opportunity to discover more about Guernsey, with everything from short strolling to more long-distance hiking
- Lords Taverners County Cricket - late September, cricket championship at the KGV Playing Fields in Castel
- Annual Alderney Air Races - late September, a popular aviation event on Alderney
- IAG Guernsey Velo Club Grand Prix - late September, major cycling event attracting leading British cyclists
- Tennerfest - October to early November, six weeks of bargain price meals at participating restaurants across Guernsey
- Autumn Floral Festival Week - early October, including tours around various open gardens
- Nerine Festival - mid to late October, colourful Guernsey lilies on show at the Candie Gardens in St. Peter Port
- International Chess Festival - late October, attracting some of the very best chess players from all over Europe
- Guernsey Volleyball Open - late October to early November, with matches at the Beau Sejour Leisure Centre
- Guernsey Jazz Festival - late October to early November, lasting three days and taking place at the Duke of Richmond Hotel