Guernsey Entertainment

Despite its small size, Guernsey is home to a good range of entertainment options, ranging from discos to sophisticated theatre performances. A wide variety of festivals also adds to the islands appeal.

Nightlife

Guernsey Island is home to an active nightlife that booms at weekends with a number of night clubs, disco-bars and two cinemas to enjoy. Discos can be found in St Peter Port, while some hotels put on live music and cabarets during the summer season. The Beau Sejour Leisure Centre at St Peter Port houses a cinema, theatre, bars and caf. Other popular places in St Peter Port include the huge Thomas De La Rue, the Albion House, a sports pub and wine bar and the Ship & Crown. Following a recent change in the licensing laws, Guernsey pubs are now permitted to keep their doors open until 00:45, seven nights a week. For more information, visit the tourist board on the North Esplanade in St Peter Port and ask for their monthly Diary of Events.

Theatre and music

The Beau Sejour Leisure centre stages theatre productions and also contains one of the islands two cinemas. The Outdoor Theatre in Castle Cornet puts on regular plays during the summer season. Castle gates open 1 hour 15 minutes before the start of evening performances to allow for picnicking. Tickets are available from the Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery. The other cinema complex, the Mallard Hotel Cinema Complex, is located near the airport and has four screens and shows all the new releases.

During late July and early August, posters promote concerts in the Valestock series, a once a year rock and folk music festival, featuring openair performances at Vale Castle, just north of St Sampson, and the Vale Earth Fair in mid-August showcases local bands in the islands own adaptation of Glastonbury. The Dog House in St Peter Port is a popular venue for live bands, featuring rock and heavy metal bands. St James Concert Hall is home to regular live music events and here visitors can also find information on concerts, exhibitions, poetry readings and lectures.

Festivals

There are a number of annual festivals that are unique to the island, with highlights including:

• The Floral Guernsey Spring Festival (April) sees the island come alive with lots of wild flowers and blooming public and private gardens. Floral excursions to the lesser islands of Sark and Herm are also available.
• The Ale and Food Festival (late April to early May) showcases some extraordinary local ale for sampling. A number of participating pubs serve good hearty, traditional pub grub with some unique dishes cooked in ale.
• Liberation Day (9th May) sees the citizens of Guernsey commemorating the islands liberation after WWII.
• Spring Walking Festival (May) gives visitors the opportunity to go on walks led by accredited guides. You can discover hidden trails and pathways and learn all about Guernseys history.
• The Floral Guernsey Show (June) is a three-day floral festival showcasing Guernseys flora and featuring floral displays and traditional music and dance. It is held at Sausmarez Park in the parish of Castel.
• The St Peter Port Town Carnival (July) features street entertainment, music, clowns, tours of the town and much more, lending St Peter Port a carnival atmosphere during this week.
• The Vale Earth Fair (August) is an outdoor music and arts festival held in the Vale Castle, the ancient hill top fortress. It features live music by local, national and international acts. The Earth Fair promotes environmental and human rights causes and all profits go towards humanitarian causes. Among other attractions are a real ale bar, food stalls, craft stalls and a childrens area.
• The Guernsey Regatta Week (September) features classic boats, old gaffers and cruising yachts flocking to the harbour and marina. The dockside village stays open day and night for all to enjoy food, drink and music. A special event features the worlds best underwater cyclists attempting to beat the world record for the course.
• The Channel Island Tennerfest (October) serves up many delectable menus from more than 170 restaurants in Guernsey, Jersey and Alderney. A number of great ferry and flight deals also facilitate island hopping.