Four-day celebrations will mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe in May
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe) and VJ Day (Victory Over Japan), two pivotal moments in world history that signalled the end of the Second World War. To honour these milestones, a series of events and celebrations are planned across the UK to share stories from the Second World War generation and pay tribute to the millions who served.
VE Day, celebrated on May 8, commemorates the Allied victory in Europe, an event that led to widespread celebrations in 1945, with street parties, dancing, and singing across the country. However, the War in the Far East did not end until August 15, 1945, with VJ Day. The commemorations will honour those who fought, the evacuated children and those who took on essential roles on the Home Front.
The early May Bank Holiday will kick off the events with a series of activities planned throughout the week:
Monday, May 5
The commemorations will begin in Whitehall, where the Cenotaph, the nation’s focal point of remembrance, will be adorned with Union Flags for the duration of the four-day event. This echoes the 1920 unveiling of the monument to the fallen. A military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace will be followed by a flypast of current and historic military aircraft, including the famous Red Arrows. Additionally, HMS Belfast, a significant surviving Second World War warship, will host a street party, reflecting its role in firing some of the opening shots on D-Day in 1944 and protecting Arctic convoys.
Tuesday, May 6
An installation of ceramic poppies will return to the Tower of London, featuring nearly 30,000 original poppies from the 2014 display. This installation will resemble a ‘wound’ at the heart of the Tower, which was bombed during the Blitz and still bears scars. Historic landmarks across the UK will also be lit up in the evening to mark the occasion.
Wednesday, May 7
To commemorate the evening in 1945 when the newsflash announced the following day would be Victory in Europe Day, the Parliament Choir will host a concert in Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster. This event will mark the exact day victory was declared eighty years ago.
Thursday, May 8
A service at Westminster Abbey will serve as an act of shared remembrance and a celebration of the end of the War. The day will conclude with a concert at Horseguards Parade, featuring stars of stage and screen, military musicians, and stories of victory and the legacy of the Second World War in Europe.
Friday, August 15
To mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the War in the Far East, a service will take place at the National Memorial Arboretum. The Royal British Legion will lead the nation in honouring and remembering those who fought and died during the War in the Far East.
Public Engagement
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasized the importance of these anniversaries, stating, “The 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day are important opportunities for communities to come together to pay tribute to all those who served in the Second World War and to reflect on the values they were fighting for.”
In partnership with Imperial War Museums, the “Letters to Loved Ones” initiative will encourage the public to explore their family history and find letters from relatives during the War. This project aims to bring together first-hand testimonies from soldiers on the front line and those on the home front, culminating in an event in May involving school children and their families from across the UK.
Arts Council England will collaborate with arts organizations to creatively commemorate and reflect on the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day. Funding through the National Lottery Community Fund Awards For All program will allow organizations to host events and projects, allowing communities to come together to remember the impact of the war.
Resources and educational materials will be provided for schools and youth groups to help young people learn about the Second World War and their forebearers’ role in securing peace. The Royal British Legion will also offer resources and work through its network of membership branches to mark the anniversary.
