January and the start of a New Year is a great time to look ahead at all that is to come over the next twelve months, and resolve to make the most of every opportunity. On Guernsey, opportunity abounds and there are already a whole host of festivals and events planned for throughout the year.

Whilst we maintain that you will be spoilt for choice of things to do whenever you visit Guernsey, if you happen to be staying with us whilst any of the following events are taking place then we’d certainly recommend them as a great option for enhancing your time here.

Between April 8th and May 10th the third Channel Islands Heritage Festival takes place, with this year’s event focusing on heroes, myths and legends. There are numerous events planned, including special museum tours, and guided walks including the Walking in Renoir’s Footsteps route around St Martins and Moulin Huet. This year, there will also be special Sunday #11 vintage bus tours between St Peter Port and Portelet. Rounding out the Heritage Festival will be Guernsey’s annual Liberation Day celebrations on May 9th, a fantastic celebration of freedom that is not to be missed.

Following immediately on from the Heritage Festival is Guernsey’s four day Literary Festival, now in its fifth outing. This year’s speakers include best-selling novelist Sebastian Faulks, current UK Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell and humanitarian author (and former Beirut hostage) Terry Waite. There will be a special Roald Dahl event for families, and a castle night spectacular at Castle Cornet.

Guernsey hosts two walking festivals each year, in spring and autumn (May 20th – June 4th and September 23rd – October 8th). As well as being a fantastic year-round destination for walkers offering a wide variety of routes, during the festivals there are a large number of guided walks and events that showcase Guernsey’s rich history and culture. For those of you who prefer to move a little faster on your feet, there are two island marathons this year; the Guernsey-Ultra which is a 36 mile circuit on May 21st, and the standard marathon distance Waterfront Marathon on August 27th. If you’re planning on taking part in either event, then we’ll provide all the rest and relaxation that you require following your run, and the Bella’s Spa team will be taking bookings for restorative treatments!

Throughout the summer months there are a great many events happening here; over on Herm the Mermaid Tavern hosts a Real Ale and Cider festival in both June (13-18) and September (12-17), the frequently sold-out Sark Folk Festival straddles the weekend between June and July (tickets go on sale soon and sell out fast), the wonderful Viaer Marchi on July 3rd celebrating traditional Guernsey culture, and the South, West and North country shows throughout August (11/12, 16/17, 23/24 respectively).

On September 9th the Albert Pier will host [Proms on the Pier]http://www.visitguernsey.com/event/proms-pier), with local performers playing alongside a live-broadcast from the Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. This a free event, and bound to be popular.

Following that, for ten days from September 10th to 24th the island will once again celebrate its fantastic culinary culture with the island-wide Guernsey International Food Festival. More details will be released regarding the plans for this year’s festival over the coming months, and we’ll be sure to let you know about any special events that we will be hosting at the Bella.

Whether or not your planned visit to Guernsey coincides with one of the festivals or events detailed here, there are plenty of natural attractions and regular events that will give you plenty of choice for things to do whatever time of year you join us. We look forward to welcoming you in 2017, and wish you a very happy and healthy New Year.