What's on in Saint Peter Port (Sark), Guernsey through the year

Quiet — school holidays in 7 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

• Nature

  Ormering tides

  1 Jan – 30 Apr · usuallyForaging season

  Guernsey's prized ormers may only be gathered by hand on the day of a new or full moon and the two days after, between January and April. Islanders turn out on the lowest spring tides; no diving gear, and strict size limits. Source ↗

Still on: Winter gales and ferry cancellations (1 Nov – 15 Mar (usually)), Castle Cornet winter closure (3 Nov – 20 Mar (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Festival

  Guernsey Eisteddfod

  15 Feb – 15 Mar · usuallyArts festival

  The island's performing-arts and crafts festival fills late winter with competitive classes in music, speech, dance and art, with many sessions open to an audience. A window onto island life in the quiet season. Source ↗

Still on: Ormering tides (1 Jan – 30 Apr (usually)), Winter gales and ferry cancellations (1 Nov – 15 Mar (usually)), Castle Cornet winter closure (3 Nov – 20 Mar (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Ormering tides (1 Jan – 30 Apr (usually)), Guernsey Eisteddfod (15 Feb – 15 Mar (usually)), Winter gales and ferry cancellations (1 Nov – 15 Mar (usually)), Castle Cornet winter closure (3 Nov – 20 Mar (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Season

  Herm and Sark boat season

  15 Apr – 15 Oct · usuallySummer season opens

  The small boats to Herm, Sark and Alderney run frequently from the harbour through the season and thin out sharply after October. Half the reason to be based here is the day you spend on another island. Source ↗

Still on: Ormering tides (1 Jan – 30 Apr (usually))

Busy — Liberation Day, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

• Holiday

  Liberation Day

  9 MayNational holidayCrowdedClosures

  Guernsey's own holiday on 9 May: a cavalcade along the seafront, period dress, and the whole island out on the harbour front. Shops and offices are closed and the boats run a holiday timetable. Source ↗

Still on: Herm and Sark boat season (15 Apr – 15 Oct (usually))

Busy — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in June.

Still on: Herm and Sark boat season (15 Apr – 15 Oct (usually))

Peak crowds — travelers describe it as peak season, Viaer Marchi

• Festival

  Viaer Marchi

  6 JulMajor festivalCrowded

  The old market revived for one evening at Saumarez Park on the first Monday in July: crafts, tug of war, bean jar and the island's own Norman French on the signs. Very local, and the better for it. Source ↗

Still on: Herm and Sark boat season (15 Apr – 15 Oct (usually))

Busy — school holidays in 7 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Herm and Sark boat season (15 Apr – 15 Oct (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Herm and Sark boat season (15 Apr – 15 Oct (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Festival

  Tennerfest

  1 Oct – 15 Nov · usuallyHarvest

  The Channel Islands' autumn fixed-price menu season, six weeks of restaurants competing on value once the summer visitors have gone. Quiet town, short days, good eating. Source ↗

Still on: Herm and Sark boat season (15 Apr – 15 Oct (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

• Hazard

  Winter gales and ferry cancellations

  1 Nov – 15 Mar · usuallyWinter storms & gales

  Atlantic gales regularly cancel Condor sailings to Jersey, St Malo and Portsmouth, and the winter timetable is thinner to start with. Leave slack in any winter itinerary that depends on a boat. Source ↗

• Closure

  Castle Cornet winter closure

  3 Nov – 20 Mar · usually

  Castle Cornet and the other heritage sites close for the winter, usually from early November to late March, and Victor Hugo's Hauteville House shuts at the end of September. The castle is closed from September 2026 to June 2027 while its bridge is replaced. Source ↗

Still on: Tennerfest (1 Oct – 15 Nov (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 7 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Winter gales and ferry cancellations (1 Nov – 15 Mar (usually)), Castle Cornet winter closure (3 Nov – 20 Mar (usually))