WORLD RADIO NORMANDY CAEN
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Calvados, France
D-DAY 2026: Our top 5 things to see and do in Normandy
by
Friday, 29 May 2026
As May draws to a close, Normandy starts to prepare for one of its biggest annual celebrations: the Anniversary of the Normandy Beach Landings. In 2026, for the 82nd Anniversary, what is there to see and do in Normandy? Here's our shortlist for the Calvados!
A tank from the parades at Pegasus Bridge in Bénouville in June 2024 | © Sebastien Pollock // World Radio Normandy Caen
1 | Camp Geronimo (Sainte-Mère-Eglise)
from Wednesday, 3rd June to Sunday, 7th June
Every year, in Sainte-Mère-Eglise, the Airborne Museum sets up Camp Geronimo, a reenactment of an American military camp from World War II. Exhibitions, displays, demonstrations and activities for the whole family: and it's all free!
This year, there will be (among other things) military vehicles, a parachuting simulator and the big parade on the 7th June, all within the confines of this American-style military camp.
2 | The D-Day Swing Festival (Lion-sur-Mer)
from Friday, 5th June to Sunday, 7th June
Celebrating the memory of D-Day with panache and music, the D-Day Swing Festival puts 1940's and 50's swing and rock music at the heart of the festivities.
Bands, singers and even DJs will be present over the course of the festival, offering a real musical and cultural throwback. A truly immersive moment to remember those men and women through the songs they listened to and to preserve the culture of the generation that lived through D-Day and World War II.
3 | The D-Day Landings Marathon (Sword Beach)
from Thursday, 4th June to Sunday, 7th June
From Courseulles-sur-Mer to Caen, a marathon "in the footsteps of D-Day heroes": the D-Day Landings Marathon or "Marathon de la Liberté" (in French) is comprised of 6 races, across 17 historic towns, with runners from 70 different nationalities taking part.
This year will mark the 39th edition of the race. It's too late to take part if you haven't already signed up, but you can still be among the crowd to cheer on the runners!
4 | The Liberty Ball (Bayeux)
from 7 pm on Sunday, 7th June
Yet another opportunity to indulge in swing music from the 1930's and 40's!
Starting the evening this year are swing pop trio Radio Cadillac, with new takes on the classics and some original songs. Ukélélé, double bass, saxophone, harmonies and percussions, the trio will take you on a musical journey through time and space.
They will be followed by swing band Stomp Stomp, a sextet that will take you back to the era of 1930's brass bands and swing music: Rhythm, melody and a musical journey back to the golden age of jazz. Bring your dancing shoes!
5 | The many parades (Calvados)
on Saturday, 6th June and Sunday, 7th June
One of the common highlights of the D-Day festivities is the parades! Intricate costumes and period vehicles take to the streets and travel around and across Normandy.
It's not difficult to find a parade in Normandy in early June, but here are a couple of our suggestions:
Isigny Day, on Saturday, 6th June, from 2 pm by the Town Hall in Isigny-sur-Mer.
The D-Day Parade in Ouistreham, on Sunday, 7th June, from 10:30 am. From Bill Milin Square in Colleville-Montgomery to the Ouistreham seafront.
World Radio Normandy Caen will be closely following the D-Day celebrations, so stay tuned for more information! Remember to join our mailing list to stay up to date with everything happening around Normandy!
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