Kerkrade commemorates and celebrates: here is the program for May 4 and 5, 2026

In Kerkrade, various activities are planned for Monday, May 4, and Tuesday, May 5, in observance of Remembrance Day and Liberation Day. Residents and visitors are welcome to come together to honor the victims of war and celebrate freedom.

Remembrance Day in Kerkrade City Center on May 4

The commemoration in the city center begins at 6:40 p.m. with a silent procession starting at St. Lambertus Church. The route passes the Indies Monument, the Evacuation Monument, and the Peace Monument. Along the way, floral arrangements and wreaths will be laid at several monuments.

The official ceremony begins at 7:25 p.m. at the Peace Monument on Hoofdstraat. Speakers will include Mayor Petra Dassen-Housen (Kerkrade), Mayor Benjamin Fadavian (Herzogenrath), Dean Stef Nevelstein, and Hans Schillings on behalf of the Royal Association of Orange Societies.

The commemoration will feature musical and program contributions from various participants, including the Royal Kerkrade Wind Orchestra, the David Spekholzerheide Men’s Choir, and local organizations and students.

Following the ceremony, there will be a group walk to the Stolpersteine at the corner of Markt, where flowers or small stones may be placed to conclude the commemoration.

Remembrance Day in Eygelshoven on May 4

In Eygelshoven, the commemoration begins at 7:00 p.m. with a Mass at the Oude Kerkje. At 7:45 p.m., a wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the war memorial on Kerkberg. At 8:00 p.m., two minutes of silence will be observed. Speakers will share personal stories, accompanied by music from the St. Caecilia Wind Ensemble.

Liberation Day in Kerkrade City Center on May 5

On Tuesday, May 5, Kerkrade will be celebrating Freedom Day. At 2:30 p.m., the Freedom Torch will arrive from Wageningen. Young people will then carry the torch through the city center, past various monuments, toward City Hall.

At 3:00 p.m., the Peace Fire will be lit at the Evacuation Monument on the corner of Einderstraat and Stationstraat, after which the procession will proceed along Old Hickoryplein and past the Peace Monument. Finally, the fire will also be lit at City Hall on the Markt the mayor and the children’s mayor.

This will be followed by speeches and a performance by the city poet. Starting at 3:30 p.m., youth wind ensembles and music school students will provide musical entertainment. The traditional “Appeltjes van Oranje” will also be handed out to representatives of emergency services and participating organizations as a token of appreciation.

In addition, historic military vehicles will be on display on the Markt from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

With these activities, Kerkrade offers a comprehensive program to commemorate together and celebrate freedom.