At the foot of the iconic John Frost Bridge, on an impressive floating stage, music, dance, visuals and storytelling are woven together into a moving and layered experience. The commemoration can be attended live and followed via livestream, allowing everyone to reflect on the meaning of freedom — then, now, and in the future.

The Netherlands

Bridge to Liberation 2026

Across the region, visitors can take part in a wide range of events at the very locations where history unfolded:&nbsp;🪂 Commemorative parachute jumps🕊️ Remembrance ceremonies🪖 Living history &amp; re-enactment🚶 Walking and cycling routes🏛️ Museums and exhibitions🎖️ Historic military vehicles🎒 Educational activities🤝 Encounters and stories of remembrance&nbsp;One of the highlights will be the 82nd Remembrance Ride on Saturday, 19 September, when historic military vehicles will travel through Groesbeek, followed by a static display in the town centre.&nbsp;Whether you are interested in the history of the 82nd Airborne Division, Operation Market Garden, or simply want to experience how the region continues to remember its liberation, there is plenty to discover this September.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://visitmarketgarden.nl/evenementen/">https://visitmarketgarden.nl/evenementen/</a>

Market Garden 2026 – Remembering 82 Years of Liberation 

The exhibition covers the period from the mid-17th century, when a sandbank known as the Western Bank formed at the mouth of the Vistula River, to mid-1941, when the Westerplatte branch of the German Stutthof concentration camp for civilian prisoners was closed.The location of the exhibition is not coincidental – it is the historic former Power Plant building of the Polish Military Transit Depot, renovated and arranged for exhibition purposes. The exhibition features the archaeological discoveries related to the site, the everyday life of the depot, the difficult and responsible service of Polish soldiers in the face of growing hatred of the Germans towards Polish presence in the area of the Free City of Gdańsk, and the camp for Polish civilian prisoners set up by the Germans after the seven-day battle (1–7 September 1939). The curators aim to make visitors aware that Westerplatte is not only a peninsula heroically defended by a small unit of Polish soldiers, but also the site of German crimes against Polish civilians. The exhibition also intends to highlight the symbolic significance of Westerplatte as the place where the Second World War began.Start your visit at Westerplatte with the Visitor Centre [Centrum Obsługi Zwiedzających ‘Pole Bitwy Westerplatte’]. At the information desk, you will obtain information related to the history of Westerplatte. Assistance in planning the route, finding a guide and information will help discover the monuments in the area. The building overlooking the sea provides visitors with a rest stop. It is adapted for people with disabilities.

Poland

Exhibition ‘Memory buried beneath the surface. Archaeology of Westerplatte’

Every year at the Airborne Cemetery in Oosterbeek, the Airborne Memorial Service commemorates the servicemen of:<ul><li> the British 1st Airborne Division,</li><li> the Royal Air Force,</li><li>the 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade,</li><li>and other Allied troops,who fought for our freedom, were wounded or taken prisoner, and the soldiers who lost their lives during Operation Market Garden in Arnhem, Driel, Ede and Oosterbeek in 1944.</li></ul>

Airborne Memorial Service

The exhibition “My Childhood, 1939-1945” explores the daily lives of French and Canadian children during the Second World War and the war’s impact on civilian populations, particularly on youth.How did youth navigate this era, how were they transformed by the war, and how, for French children, did they experience the Occupation, the liberation, the battles, and the post-war reconstruction?Through immersive modules and testimonies, the exhibition compares the realities of the Occupation in France and the impact of the war on children in Canada.Visitors will better understand how childhoods were disrupted, their adaptations to new daily routines and how they experienced grief, gratitude toward Canadian soldiers, and regained freedom.The stories will be presented through several key themes:<ul><li>The Weight of Occupation (1940–1944) at school and at home</li><li>D-Day (June 6, 1944)</li><li>The Battle of Normandy (June–September 1944)</li><li>Liberation and the scars of war (1944 to today)</li><li>The “absences” experienced by French and Canadian children</li></ul>Learn more here: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.junobeach.org/exhibitions/my-childhood-1939-1945/">https://www.junobeach.org/exhibitions/my-childhood-1939-1945/</a>

France

Exhibition: "My childhood, 1939-1945" at Juno Beach Centre

The silhouettes, known as "Giants," stand as silent witnesses to history, creating a visual and emotional connection to the hanging paratroopers in the Eusebiuskerk’s council chapel and the Battle of Arnhem Experience in the church tower. This exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the value of freedom and the enduring legacy of those who fought for it.&nbsp;Practical Information&nbsp;<ul><li>Dates: 28 August 2026 – 27 September 2026</li></ul><ul><li>Location: Eusebiuskerk, Arnhem, Netherlands&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00–17:00&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Organizers: Stichting Bridge to Liberation, Stichting Citymarketing Arnhem, Platform Binnenstad Arnhem, Stiching Eusebius Arnhem&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>More Information: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.intoarnhem.nl/airborne">www.intoarnhem.nl/airborne</a>&nbsp;</li></ul>

Standing With Giants – The Battle of Arnhem

The commemoration is accompanied by a special aerial display, including a mass drop with paratroopers. Everyone is welcome at the Ginkelse Heide from 09:00. Watch the airborne landings or visit the many activities for young and old. There will be military vehicles, new children’s workshops, performances and all sorts of stalls at the Airborne market. The Airborne commemoration begins at 11.30 am. Free shuttle buses will run all day between Ede-Wageningen railway station and the Ginkel Heath.

Airborne Landings and Commemoration

Together with historical allies, flags are raised, wreaths are laid and the Allied soldiers who lost their lives whilst doing their utmost to capture the John Frost Bridge and thus liberate Arnhem and the surrounding area are commemorated.

Commemoration at Airborneplein

MUSEUM SCHUILEN IN MAASTRICHT…weer geopend in 2026Ga mee!…… en maak een stap naar beneden, terug in de tijd! Bezoek een uniek museum onder in de eeuwenoude kazematten van Maastricht. Het Schuilkeldermuseum bevindt zich op een plek waar ook daadwerkelijk werd geschuild, tijdens WOII en schuilervaringen zijn vastgelegd. U voelt meteen de sfeer zoals deze was in 1940-1945, wanneer er een ernstige dreiging uit de lucht kon vallen. In het museum vindt u in de vitrines herinneringen aan de Tweede Wereldoorlog en de inrichting voor de Koude Oorlog, na WOII. Er zijn vrijwilligers, die u de weg wijzen. Ga terug in de geschiedenis en laat ook jonge bezoekers zien hoe actueel een Schuilkelder kan zijn, in het onrustige Europa van dit moment. Uniek is dat het museum verscholen ligt onder een woonwijk. Tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog groeven de bewoners ook via zelf gegraven gangen, onder in hun kelders of tuin, een weg naar beneden, naar de Schuilkelder. Onze werkgroep heeft nauwe banden onderhouden met de mensen die hier daadwerkelijk geschuild hebben.&nbsp;Openingstijd:14.00 uur - 16.00 uurToegang is gratis.<h2>Openingstijden 2026</h2><ul><li>15-03-26:14.00 - 16.00 uur</li><li>19-04-26:14.00 - 16.00 uur</li><li>17-05-26 :14.00 - 16.00 uur</li><li>21-06-26:14.00 - 16.00 uur</li><li>19-07-26:14.00 - 16.00 uur</li><li>16-08-26:14.00 - 16.00 uur</li><li>20-09-26:14.00 - 16.00 uur</li><li>18-10-26:14.00 - 16.00 uur</li><li>15-11-26:14.00 - 16.00 uur</li><li>13-12-26:14.00 - 16.00 uur&nbsp;</li></ul>Museum informatieLOCATIE: SchuilkeldermuseumMinister Goeman Borgesiusplantsoen 306214 SE&nbsp; Maastricht&nbsp;Meer informatie &gt; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.schuileninmaastricht.com">www.schuileninmaastricht.com</a>E-mail &gt; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:info@schuileninmaastricht.com">info@schuileninmaastricht.com</a>Facebook&gt; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/schuileninmaastricht">www.facebook.com/schuileninmaastricht</a>&nbsp;

Schuilkeldermuseum Maastricht

More than just an episode of the Second World War, captivity was an unprecedented social phenomenon that became part of the trauma of France's defeat. Nearly every family was affected, either directly or indirectly. The absence of so many able-bodied men weighed heavily on society, leaving women and children to cope with the hardships of everyday life.Initially confined in the Frontstalags (prisoner-of-war camps in occupied France), the prisoners were later dispersed among the Stalags and Oflags across Germany, forming part of the vast internment system established by the Third Reich throughout the territories under its control, including Poland, Austria, and Czechoslovakia. Their lives were shaped by the demands of the German war economy, which alternately welcomed and distrusted this forced labor force. The fate of the prisoners became a major concern for the Vichy government, which pursued every possible compromise in an effort to improve their situation. Deprived of their freedom for five years, exiled in a foreign land, and separated from their families, the prisoners had to draw on their inner strength to endure this ordeal with dignity.<h5>Discover the Exhibition as a Family!</h5>Step into history alongside Jean, our prisoner-guide and the exhibition's mascot. Children aged 7 and up are invited to explore the exhibition in a fun and interactive way. By scanning QR codes throughout the exhibition, they can download smartphone content created especially for them.Inside the exhibition, a dedicated children's area offers:<ul><li>A reconstructed prisoner barracks room (chambrée)</li><li>Hands-on exploration of replica historical documents and objects</li><li>Board games</li><li>Self-guided workshops and activities</li></ul>Together, these features provide an immersive and educational experience for the whole family.

French Prisoners of War: History of a Captive Community (1940–1945)

The visit offers insight into the bunker's historical significance and military function. Walking through the dark, atmospheric tunnels, you’ll learn about the bunker's role in defending the Atlantic Wall during the war and its connections to the fierce battles of Normandy, fought less than 20 miles away.You will get access to a range of original World War Two artefacts and weapons, where guests can touch and interact with the past. One of the highlights is the opportunity to climb aboard an authentic World War Two GMC truck, sitting on the benches just as soldiers once did.The visit lasts just under one hour, providing a detailed and hands-on experience of this fascinating piece of history. With small group sizes, the experience feels personal and intimate, offering an unforgettable journey through one of Jersey's most important defensive positions of WWII. Whether you’re a history buff or simply curious, St. Catherine's Bunker offers an authentic and hands-on encounter with the past.<ul><li>Weekends with hourly start times from 10:15&nbsp;</li><li>Small group sizes per opening time slot</li><li>Bookings are only accepted online - Book early to avoid disappointment</li><li>Profits from sales are invested back into the restoration of this site and its upkeep&nbsp;</li></ul>

Jersey

St. Catherine's Bunker Tours

Discover History Like Never Before at the Channel Islands Military Museum!Step into the past and uncover the incredible stories of courage, resilience, and survival at the Channel Islands Military Museum in Jersey! Housed in a beautifully preserved German bunker from WWII, this one-of-a-kind museum offers an immersive experience that brings history to life.Explore Authentic Artifacts | Get up close and personal with rare memorabilia, from uniforms and weapons to personal diaries and photographs. Each item tells a story of life during wartime, shedding light on both soldiers and civilians.Experience the Occupation Era | Jersey was the only part of the British Isles to be occupied by German forces during WWII. Walk through the museum’s evocative displays to feel what it was like to live through this pivotal moment in history.Uncover Hidden Stories | Discover untold tales of bravery, ingenuity, and resistance. Whether you're a history buff or simply curious, the museum offers fascinating insights that will stay with you long after your visit.Step Inside a Genuine WWII Bunker | Not just a museum—this is a piece of history itself! Experience the atmosphere of an authentic German bunker, perfectly preserved to give you a glimpse into the past.Perfect for All Ages | Whether you're on a family trip, a school excursion, or an individual adventure, the Channel Islands Military Museum is an unforgettable journey for everyone.Plan Your Visit Today! 📍 Location: St. Ouen’s Bay, Jersey 🕒 Open: January to April = 10am - 1pm on Sundays | April to October = 10am - 5pm daily 🎟️ Tickets: Affordable prices for individuals, families, and groupsDon’t miss the chance to step back in time and experience history like never before. Visit the Channel Islands Military Museum—where every artifact, every story, and every wall whispers the legacy of those who lived through history.

Bridge to Liberation 2026

Market Garden 2026 – Ter herdenking van 82 jaar bevrijding

Exhibition ‘Memory buried beneath the surface. Archaeology of Westerplatte’

Herdenkingsdienst in de lucht

Exhibition: "My childhood, 1939-1945" at Juno Beach Centre

Standing With Giants – The Battle of Arnhem

Luchtlandingen en herdenking, Ede

Herdenking op het Airborneplein

Schuilkeldermuseum Maastricht

French Prisoners of War: History of a Captive Community (1940–1945)

St. Catherine's Bunker Tours

Channel Island Military Museum

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datum

Land

Type evenement

Bridge to Liberation 2026

Market Garden 2026 – Ter herdenking van 82 jaar bevrijding

Exhibition ‘Memory buried beneath the surface. Archaeology of Westerplatte’

Herdenkingsdienst in de lucht

Exhibition: "My childhood, 1939-1945" at Juno Beach Centre

Standing With Giants – The Battle of Arnhem

Luchtlandingen en herdenking, Ede

Herdenking op het Airborneplein

Schuilkeldermuseum Maastricht

French Prisoners of War: History of a Captive Community (1940–1945)

St. Catherine's Bunker Tours

Channel Island Military Museum

Registreer uw evenement op Europe Remembers