The Muster

ARNHEM / OOSTERBEEK / NIJMEGEN, NETHERLANDS

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SECOND WORLD WAR · 1939–1945

Market Garden Commemorations

· IN 19 DAYS
🇳🇱 Arnhem / Oosterbeek / Nijmegen, Netherlands · ⚑ Region-wide, airborne drops

About

The 82nd Airborne commemorations across the Arnhem region. The centrepiece is on the Ginkelse Heide at Ede, where in 1944 two thousand British paratroopers dropped, and where today hundreds of paratroopers from NATO countries jump in two mass drops, joined by a historic Dakota flying honour jumps with jumpers in original wartime dress. Ceremonies run in parallel at the Oosterbeek war cemetery, at Arnhem's Airborne Square and at Driel.

Programme

Fri 28 Aug (curtain-raiser)
Airborne Veteranenavond, Kuiperplein Ede - Royal Air Force Orchestra with guest artist
Thu 17 Sep
Commemorations at The Needle (Oosterbeek) and at Heelsum
Sat 19 Sep
09:00-16:00Airborne Luchtlandingen en Herdenking, Ginkelse Heide - air and ground programme
morningFirst mass drop - hundreds of paratroopers from 11 NATO countries
11:30-12:30Airborne commemoration at the Memorial Square - speeches and wreath-laying, veterans and Ede schoolchildren taking part. Relayed on the site LED screens and live on TV Gelderland
Historic Dakota honour jumps, jumpers in original WWII dress
Helicopter demonstration (new for 2026), preceding the second mass drop
afternoonSecond mass drop - hundreds of paratroopers from 11 NATO countries
after dropsWings Exchange on the Herdenkingsplein - paratroopers receive their wings, Pegasus Pipes & Drums
Sat 26 Sep
Pegasus Wandelfestival - commemorative walking routes

Getting there

Ginkelse Heide, Verlengde Arnhemse weg, Ede. Site open 09:00-16:00 on the Saturday; come by bicycle or public transport, parking arrangements published by the municipality. Oosterbeek cemetery: large car park on the north side of Oosterbeek station, 5-10 min walk. Arnhem: 15-20 min walk from the station.

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