Cycling tour along memories from World War II
📍 Start at Bunkermuseum Ameland
📅 1 May to 1 July 2025
A 25 km route along visible én hidden remnants of the Second World War.
More info to follow
80 years of liberation Ameland
In May and June 2025, Ameland will mark 80 years of liberation. Activities will be organised throughout the island focusing on remembrance, sharing stories and celebrating together.
In 2025, it will be 80 years since the Netherlands was liberated – and Ameland also regained its freedom. Although the officialële liberation was declared on 5 May, islanders had to wait until 3 June 1945.
We commemorate this special history together. With cycle routes along bunkers, exhibitions full of stories, music, theatre on the beach, storytelling for young and old and the Liberation Fire reaching the island for the first time.
1 May to 30 June 2025
Wondering what to do during 80 years of liberation on Ameland? Below you can see in ééone glance the themes of the programme:
- Exhibitions & exhibits – about life during the occupation and post-war stories
- Bicycle tours & cycling routes – along bunkers and special places
- Presentations & storytelling – from location theatre to stories of islanders
- Events & music – parade, concert and party in the villages
- Symbols of freedom – Liberation Fire, flag and stories that connect
👉 Scroll down and discover the programme for each section. You will find the dates, locations and what to expect for each block.
Exhibitions & expositions
Liberation photos on panels
📍 All villages
📅 1 May to 30 June 2025
Along routes in the villages there are remembrance panels with photos’s and texts about life during the occupation. Via QR codes you will discover more stories and other activities.
More info to follow
Educational exhibition along bunker route
📍 From Dune Sier aan Zee to Bunker Museum, Hollum
📅 1 May to 30 June 2025
Route past panels on the long wait for liberation. Includes temporary exhibition at the Maritime Centre.
More info to follow
Exhibition of painted helmets
📍 Maritime Centre Hollum
📅 1 May to 30 June 2025
Elementary school pupils depicted freedom in self-designed helmets. A colourful, personal look at 80 years of liberation.
More info to follow
Bicycle tours & cycle routes
Bicycle excursions along bunkers (with guide)
📍 Start at Bunkermuseum Ameland
📅 1, 8 and 15 May 2025
A guided cycling tour along the Engelsmanduun and hidden bunkers in the forest, among others. In-depth and educational. Bring your own bike.
Performances & narrations
Ameland Tells! - War stories
📍 24 May: Bunkermuseum | 17, 31 May & 7 June: Maritime Centre
📅 Times: 11:00 / 14:00
Special stories about the war on Ameland, told on location. About found tanks, evacuees, resistance fighters and first-hand memories.
Location theatre War Tears on Ameland
📍 Beach of Ameland
📅 2 to 7 June 2025
A gripping performance about three women trying to live on after the war. Based on stories from the book War Tears on Ameland.
Please note: The performance will be in Dutch.
Music & events
Liberation parade & party
📍 Nes & Buren
📅 5 May 2025, 10:00 & 17:30
A parade full of decorated wagons, bicycles and runners through the villages, concluding with a festive programme in Nes. Everyone can participate.
Bunkerday Ameland
📍 Bunkermuseum Ameland
📅 24 May 2025
On this national Bunkerday, Ameland opens several bunkers to the public. With tours, storytelling and re-enactment.
More info to follow
Liberation concert
📍 Holiday park Klein Vaarwater, Buren
📅 31 May 2025, 20:00
A musical evening with Amelander musicians and choirs. Freedom resounds in music from the island.
More info to follow
Symbols of freedom
Liberation Vuelta Relay
📍 Arrival on Ameland on 5 May 2025
Team Ameland will bring the Liberation Fire to the island in a relay race. Upon arrival, the fire will be passed on to the Ameland youth.
Flags for liberation
📍 All over Ameland
📅 6 May to 6 June 2025
A specially designed flag will fly on the island for a month. The design refers to tangible objects from Ameland's liberation history.
Practical
💻 Keep an eye on this page for current times, tickets and updates
🎟️ Some activities are free, others require registration or a ticket
🚲 For excursions: bring your own bike
80 years of liberation we celebrate together
From 1 May to 1 July 2025, Ameland will mark the 80th anniversary of its liberation from German occupation. During this period, numerous activities will take place on the island under the theme of celebration én reflection.
The activities within the framework of ‘80 years of liberation Ameland’ have come about through a collaboration between the four village interests, the Bunkermuseum (STAM), amateur historians, the Municipality of Ameland and other parties involved, including Stichting Wolf, Amelander choirs and music associations, with support from VVV Ameland.
More on Ameland in wartime
Do you want to know more about how Ameland experienced the Second World War?
Please continue reading on the page:
🔎 Ameland during the Second World War