Newcastle City Council is marking VJ Day 80 with events and activities including:
Monday 4 to Friday 22 August 2025 – Remember and Reflect:
An extended version of our World War 2 exhibition. New features include key battles from the war in the Asia-Pacific, how the war ended and why the Fourteenth Army are often forgotten. Newcastle Civic Centre.
Monday 11 to Monday 18 August – Honouring the forgotten heroes.
Union flags will drape from the balcony of the Civic Centre in tribute to those who fought in the Asia-Pacific including the Forgotten Army. VJ 80 flags also fly at the Civic Centre and the War Memorial in Old Eldon Square in honour of the bravery and sacrifices of the World War 2 generation. There is no flag raising ceremony at the War Memorial. The flag will fly to create a focal point where residents can pay their respects or lay floral tributes.
Friday 15 August 2025 – VJ Day 80 Commemorations
5:45am – VJ Day Memorial Walk. Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Cllr Henry Gallagher, will start the Daft as a Brush Memorial Walk as they set off on their journey across Tyneside. Ceremonial Way, Civic Centre.
9:30am – Flag raising ceremony: The Lord Mayor will be joined by veterans and others for a flag raising ceremony at the Civic Centre.
10:30am – Burma tribute. The Lord Mayor will lead a procession from Ceremonial Way to the Burma War Memorial at St Thomas’ Church followed by a wreath laying ceremony. Please gather at the Civic Centre y 10:25am to join the procession.
11:45am – Newcastle remembers: The Lord Mayor will lead tributes at the War Memorial in Old Eldon Square as Newcastle remembers the bravery and sacrifices of the World War 2 generation and celebrates the eightieth anniversary of the end of the war. The event will include:
Music from the Newcastle Male Voice Choir
Reading of the Kohima Epitaph
Two-minute silence
Wreath laying ceremony
Please gather at the War Memorial in Old Eldon Square by 11:40am to join the event
