Freedom Celebrations in Plzeň bigger than ever on 80th anniversary of liberation
Freedom Celebrations kick off in the West Bohemian city of Plzeň on Friday, marking 80 years since its liberation by US troops. This year the city has planned the biggest celebration in decades – with the traditional Convoy of Liberty, a period war camp, a flyby of historical planes and meetings with the families of the veterans who liberated parts of western and southern Bohemia.
The West Bohemian city of Plzeň has pulled out all the stops for the 2025 Freedom Celebrations marking 80 years since its liberation by General Patton’s troops. The 5-day long celebrations (from May 2 to May 6) will be a rare treat for military history buffs –with a record number of 400 historic vehicles on show - but also a big outdoor party for the broad public. The majority of events will take place outdoors in the city center and adjacent neighborhoods with live music of different genres performed by Czech and foreign musicians on four different stages, dancing, film screenings and a street food zone with thematic American food.
Opening ceremony with skydivers
The opening ceremony on Friday will take place on Naměstí republiky square to the sounds of bluegrass and country played by the bands COP, Taxmen and the American marching band Stuttgart Legacy Drumline. A unique spectacle will play out overhead during the celebration, with a flyby of historical planes and with skydivers parachuting down to the square. There will be a concert by the Plzeň Philharmonic and a Magic Lanterns show, dubbed From Normandy to Pilsen.
Military Camps & Countless Vehicles
On the 80th anniversary of the liberation, the organizers wanted something truly special. They secured a record number of historical and modern military vehicles for the event, including some that were last seen in Plzeň in 1945! Visitors can also look forward to inspecting the largest period war camp in Central Europe with an infirmary, field workshops, and a military canteen (the canteen will be fully functional, and you can even expect to run into dining soldiers here) while taking guided tours.
Convoy of Liberty
As every year the Plzeň Freedom Celebrations will culminate with a memorial service as well as the traditional parade of historical vehicles: the Convoy of Liberty. If there’s anything worth seeing here, it’s this impressive display of vehicles as they slowly make their way along Klatovská street to the city center.
This year’s parade will also include a display of modern equipment from the Czech and American forces. Aside from the soldiers dressed in military attire and the marching musicians, visitors will also see the families of the actual wartime veterans. The organizers promise an incredible 400 different military vehicles and a flyby of historical aircraft overhead.
Guided tour of the historical center of Plzeň. It is held in English and starts on Saturday, 3 May, at 1 pm. Tickets will be available at the Visit Pilsen Tourist Information Centre. Full admission is 10 € and reduced admission 7 €.
For more information go to: https://www.slavnostisvobody.cz/
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