As D-Day preparations begin, here are some dates and events happening that you might want to get involved in.
Monday – 3rd June – Portsmouth Guildhall -7pm – Radio 2 D-Day Concert
Radio 2 commemorates D-Day 80 with its listeners and offers the opportunity to remember and pay tribute to the events that took place in 1944. Vernon Kay will present the special concert and tickets are still available for the Monday night concert.
Features include combined musical forces of the BBC Concert Orchestra and the BBC Big Band as they perform some of the best-loved and most enduring music of that era. Grab the last tickets in the link.
Monday/Tuesday 3rd and 4th of June – 9pm to 10pm – Rehearsals for the Drone Light Show
The public can catch a glimpse of rehearsals for the drone light show happening on the Common in preparation for the actual event. The evening schedule on the 5th of June, commemorates D-Day and will have a spectacular light display created by drones.
The evening event on the 5th of June (which is a ticketed event only), will be a community vigil for the fallen allied soldiers who fought and died during the D-Day operations, this will be televised and people will be able to view all the events including live performances that happen during the day and evening. There will also be a live broadcast from Bayeux War Cemetery in France. If you don’t have a ticket to attend the evening, you could look out at the sky to see the light display happening from 9pm.
Tuesday 4th June – From Sword to Utah – Southsea Cinema – 6pm onwards
If you missed the event on Sunday the 2nd, you can join in this touching gathering that invites audiences to step back in time through a riveting exploration of archived poetry, writing and diary extracts from the heroes of Normandy. Raw, poignant and heartbreakingly real, these historical accounts will be interwoven with powerful performances from contemporary local poets.
You can also listen to the podcast about this event by hitting your usual podcast channel and hitting the Southsea Folk Podcast to listen.
The Palmerston Road Cinema takes you on a special cinematic journey through history with a carefully curated selection of films with free entry to most events.
June the 4th at 1pm, Selected screenings from Portsmouth’s Archives, followed by “1917” (9pm) – A gripping tale of courage amidst the chaos of World War I.
June the 6th at 3pm, “D-Day, the Sixth of June” – Delve into the personal stories of love and sacrifice amidst the chaos of battle.
June the 29th, Outdoor Cinema at Fort Nelson. Round off the commemorations on June 29th with an outdoor screening of ‘Dad’s Army’ (1971 movie) at Fort Nelson. Join the British villagers as they rally to repel a WWII invasion. Entry is free but book early to secure your spot!
Thursday 6th of June – New Theatre Royal – Film Screenings from 11am
With prices from £8.50, the New Theatre Royal will be screening films throughout the day to commemorate D-Day 80. Ending in a live music performance with The Silhouettes WW2 Trio Show, the songstresses will pay a musical tribute to entertainers that lifted morale during the 1940’s.
Thursday 6th of June – The Royal British Legion D-Day Memorial Service and Beacon Lighting
Open to the public, The Royal British Legion D-Day Memorial Service and beacon lighting will take place from 10.30am to 12pm at the D-Day Memorial, St Helen’s Parade, Southsea. This will include a Military and Veterans Parade. The beacon lighting ceremony will occur at Southsea Castle at 9.15pm.
Saturday 8th June – Armed Forces Day – Southsea Common
Portsmouth’s Armed Forces Day event arrives at Southsea Common on Saturday 8 June 2024.
As part of the D-Day 80 commemorations, the armed forces community gather together on the common to salute Portsmouth’s armed forces. This action-packed day will involve parades, music, military vehicles, parachute jumps and much more.
A full Red Arrows display across the Solent is part of the schedule. A Royal Navy parachute jump will be included in the day, military parades and vehicles, and live music.
Southwick Revival Weekend – 8th/9th June – Southwick Village
This event gets bigger every year and with such an anniversary means there is more happening! Stepping outside of Southsea and going back in time sees a nostalgic event commemorating the D-Day Landings come alive.
Featuring visits to the impressive Map Room at Southwick Park, and new for 2024 visits to Fort Southwick Tunnels, attendees can indulge in the sights and smells of 1940’s England whilst wandering through the Squires Paddock filled with a vintage fun fair, refuel on homemade cake from Ma Attwell’s tea room and marvel at the motorcade rumbling through the village!
Sunday sees a Lancaster fly by which will be fun!
