What is the Ceremony of the Keys in Gibraltar and when can I see it?

Short answer

The Ceremony of the Keys is a free military parade in Grand Casemates Square re-enacting the nightly locking of the fortress gates during the Great Siege. It is held once a year in early October, most recently on Thursday 8 October 2026.

Detailed answer

The Ceremony of the Keys re-enacts the nightly locking of the fortress gates during the Great Siege, which began in 1779 when French and Spanish forces attempted to capture Gibraltar. It is organised by the Royal Gibraltar Regiment.

What happens

At the firing of the sunset gun by Thomson's Battery, the Governor of Gibraltar hands the keys of the fortress to the Port Sergeant, who marches off with an armed escort to symbolically lock the gates before returning the keys to the Governor. The Band of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment plays throughout, usually joined by a visiting British Army band.

When and where

• Venue: Grand Casemates Square.
• Frequency: once a year, on a Thursday evening in early October.
• Recent dates: Thursday 3 October 2024, Thursday 9 October 2025 and Thursday 8 October 2026.
• Start time: has varied between about 6pm and 7.15pm.
• Cost: free to watch.

The 2027 date has not yet been announced. It is usually confirmed a few days beforehand in the local press and by the Royal Gibraltar Police.

Practical tips

• Arrive early, as the parade draws hundreds of spectators.
• Expect parking restrictions on King's Lines and in parts of Landport Ditch car park, and short road closures around Market Place.
• The bus terminus is temporarily moved to Waterport Road.
• Bicycles and e-scooters may not be left in or around Casemates Square on the day.