Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration 2026

A special civic ceremony to mark the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp, will take place in Bath on Tuesday 27 January 2026.

The event, organised by Bath & North East Somerset Council in partnership with Bath Interfaith Group, commemorates Holocaust Memorial Day 2026, the national day of remembrance for the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust(1939-45), the millions of others persecuted under Nazi rule, and the victims of more recent genocides in Cambodia (1975-1979), Rwanda (1994), Bosnia (1995), and Darfur (2003-present).

The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2026, 'Bridging Generations', is a call-to-action. A reminder that the responsibility of remembrance doesn't end with the survivors - it lives on through their children, their grandchildren and through all of us. This theme encourages us all to engage actively with the past - to listen, to learn and to carry those lessons forward. By doing so, we build a bridge between memory and action, between history and hope for the future.

The commemoration will take place at 5:45pm on Tuesday 27 January 2026 at the Guildhall in Bath. The event will feature redings, music, and reflections, following an opening address by the Chair of the Council. Doors will open at 5:15pm, and we kindly ask guests to arrive at least 10 minutes early to ensure a prompt start.

Attendance is free but places are limited, and booking is essential. For alternative booking methods or enquiries, please email Equality@bathnes.gov.uk or call Council Connect on 01225 39 40 41.

Photo Submissions

As we prepare for our Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration in 2026, we warmly invite you to take part in a special tribute aligned with this year’s theme. Our aim is to honour the memories of those affected by the Holocaust and other genocides in a meaningful and reflective way.

As part of the event, we will be displaying photographs of loved ones who were impacted. This visual tribute will serve as a powerful reminder of their lives, stories, and legacies.

If you would like to take part, please submit your photo(s) by 2pm on Wednesday, 31st December 2025. Each submission should include the name of the individual pictured.

Please email your photo(s) to Equality@bathnes.gov.uk. A photo consent form will be sent to you upon receipt, which we kindly ask you to complete and return.

Guildhall Fire Alarm Procedure:

• If seated in the Gallery: Please turn left as you exit the gallery, proceed through the back door, and head to the car park.
• For attendees using wheelchairs: Please head toward the car park exit where a ramp is available. If you require assistance, please do not hesitate to ask; our staff are here to help.
• Other attendees: Please proceed to reception and exit through the main doors.

The designated meeting point is Orange Grove (the roundabout).

A Polite Reminder:

As a courtesy to all attendees and to maintain a respectful atmosphere during the ceremony, we kindly ask that you ensure your mobile phones are switched to silent mode.