Somme Battlefield WW1 Events

Wreaths placed at the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing during a commemorative ceremony to mark the anniversary of 1 July 1916 Battle of the Somme.

This page provides information about events related to the First World War taking place on and around the Somme battlefields.

Index of listed events:

Remembrance Ceremonies

ANZAC Day Dawn Service, National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux

Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux

25 April 2024 at 05.30 hours

Location: Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux 80800

Access: Attendance pass required by prior registration.

  • Site opens: time to be confirmed.
  • 04.00 hours: Pre-service programme commences.
  • 05.30 hours: Official programme commences with Dawn Service.

Visitors are advised that the tower at the National Memorial site will be closed to the public from 21 April.

For full information about the ANZAC Day Services in France — pre-registration, shuttle bus services, seating, laying a wreath and more — you can visit the Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs:

Website: www.dva.gov.au Villers Bretonneux Anzac Day Dawn Service Information 2024

ANZAC Day Service (French service), Villers-Bretonneux Village

Villers-Bretonneux French War Memorial.

25 April 2024 at 09.00 hours

Location: Monument aux Morts (Town Hall Square)and Market Hall, Place Général de Gaulle, Villers-Bretonneux

Free

  • 09.00 hours: ANZAC Day wreath laying ceremony at the French war monument

1 July Remembrance Ceremony, Lochnagar Crater

Children attend the 1 July ceremony at Lochnagar Crater.

1 July 2024 at 07.28 hours

Location: Lochnagar Crater Memorial, La Boisselle 80300

Free

An annual Ceremony of Remembrance takes place at the Lochnagar Crater Memorial starting at 7:28am, marking the exact time when the mine was blown on 1 July 1916.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the ceremony, but are advised that the narrow roads around the Lochnagar Crater Memorial can get busy for this early morning ceremony. It is recommended that vehicles are parked considerately in the area of the village of La Boisselle and that people walk to the memorial.

For information about this historic site and those who help to preserve it, and the forthcoming annual July ceremony visit the website for The Lochnagar Crater Foundation:

Website: www.lochnagarcrater.org

For the location and information about the Lochnagar Crater Memorial on the Somme battlefields go to:

Lochnagar Mine Crater Memorial

Photograph courtesy of The Lochnagar Crater Foundation

1 July Somme Service of Commemoration, Thiepval

Thiepval Memorial to the Missing

1 July 2024, 12.00 hours (11:00 GMT)

Location: Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, Thiepval

Free.

Members of the public are very welcome to attend the ceremony.

All Royal British Legion and Service Associations' Standard Bearers are required to muster at the Thiepval Memorial at 10.00 hours. For enquiries about the parade and ceremony you may contact the RBL Somme Branch by email via the website link below:

Website: www.britishlegion.org.uk Branches / Somme

For information about the Thiepval Memorial and its location on the Somme battlefields see our page at:

Thiepval Memorial to the Missing

1 July Ceremony of Remembrance, Ulster Tower Memorial

36th Division Memorial, The Ulster Memorial Tower

1 July 2024 (time to be announced)

Location: 36th (Ulster) Division, Ulster Tower Memorial, near Thiepval

Free

Members of the public are very welcome to attend the ceremony.

A ceremony will take place at the 36th (Ulster) Division Memorial to mark the anniversary of the launch of the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916. This is the location where the 36th (Ulster) Division took part in the battle.

Enquiries can be addressed to the Somme Association:

Website: www.sommeassociation.org

For the location of the Ulster Tower memorial on the Somme battlefields go to:

36th Division Ulster Memorial Tower

11 November Remembrance Day Parade, Thiepval Memorial to the Missing

Thiepval Memorial to the Missing

11 November 2024 at 10.40 hours

Location: Thiepval Memorial to the Missing

Free

Members of the public are very welcome to attend.

The 11 November annual Remembrance Day parade is organized by the Royal British Legion Somme Branch.

For enquiries about the event see the RBL Somme Branch events page at:

Website: branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/somme/remembrance

Remembrance Ceremony - Armistice Day, Lochnagar Crater

11 November 2024 at 12.00 hours

Location: Lochnagar Crater Memorial, La Boisselle 80300

Free

A Ceremony of Remembrance will take place at the Lochnagar Crater Memorial.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the ceremony, but are advised that the narrow roads around the Lochnagar Crater Memorial can get busy. It is recommended that vehicles are parked considerately in the area of the village of La Boisselle and that people walk to the memorial.

For information about this historic site and those who help to preserve it, the annual July ceremony and more visit the website for The Lochnagar Crater Foundation:

Website: www.lochnagarcrater.org

For the location and information about the Lochnagar Crater Memorial on the Somme battlefields go to:

Lochnagar Mine Crater Memorial

Ceremony to Commemorate 51st (Highland) Division

13 November 2024 at 10.30 hours

51st (Highland) Division Flagstaff Memorial, Beaumont Hamel

Free

A short ceremony will be held at the 51st (Highland) Division flagstaff in the centre of Beaumont Hamel. The ceremony is held at the flagstaff each year to mark the centenary of the capture of Beaumont Hamel village by the division on 13 November 1916.

Anyone who would like further details can contact:

Email: chairman.wfasnb@gmail.com

For the location of the Flagstaff memorial in the cente of Beaumont Hamel see our page (memorial number 22) at:

Monuments & Memorials on the Somme Battlefields

Son et Lumière (Sound & Light Show)

Amiens Cathedral: “Son et Lumière” La Cathédral en Couleurs Light Show

The annual Son et Lumière Light Show at Amiens Cathedral.
Son et Lumiere at Amiens Cathedral.

The tourist board is open during the annual summer “Son et Lumière” light show at the cathedral. The light show lasts for 45 minutes and is on from June to September inclusive and 1 December to 1 January. The cathedral website lists the sound and light show under the term “polychromie son et lumière”. (Check with the cathedral's website in case of any updates before you travel to see the show.)

Website: www.cathedrale-amiens.images-en-somme.fr Polychromie sur la cathédrale d'Amiens

Somme Tourism Official Websites: Events

Two official Somme websites in French and in English by the Conseil général de la Somme (Somme tourisme) include information about a variety of events in the region of the Somme battlefields. There is also information about visiting the battlefields for individuals, groups and students, and the Circuit du Souvenir route of battlefield sites.

Website: French www.somme-tourisme.com/la-grande-guerre

Website: English www.visit-somme.com/great-war

Related Topic

Visiting the Somme Battlefields

Remains of trenches at Newfoundland Memorial Park on the Somme battlefields.
Remains of trenches at Newfoundland Memorial Park on the Somme battlefields.

For information about visiting the Somme battlefields in France see our page at:

Visiting the Somme Battlefields