Updates

Links to announcements and update on commemoration plans for VE and VJ Day 80

VJ Day image by IWM

King leads nation in paying tribute to VJ Day veterans

15 August, 202515 August, 2025

Their Majesties The King and Queen will join Second World War veterans at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Ghurkha Piper performs at the Burma Rail Far Eastern section of the National Memorial Arboretum

Armed Forces to mark VJ Day 80 with flypasts, music and commemorations around the world

9 August, 202511 August, 2025

VJ Day 80 celebrations will include flypasts, music and commemorations across the globe.

VJ Day branded image

National two-minute silence to mark VJ Day 80

14 July, 2025

National two-minute silence will be held at 12 noon on 15 August 2025 to honour the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.

Our Freedom: Then & Now

4 June, 20254 June, 2025

Arts Council England launches exciting projects and events across England, reflecting on what freedom means 80 years after the end of the Second World War.

VE Day branded image

King leads nation in tribute to the greatest generation

3 May, 20254 May, 2025

His Majesty The King will join Second World War veterans in London tomorrow for a military procession and fly past to mark VE Day 80.

VE Day 80 branded image

Two-minute national silence to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day

1 May, 20251 May, 2025

UK Government buildings will observe a two-minute national silence at 12:00 on Thursday 8 May 2025 to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day).

VE Day branding and the Mall

Public invited to line Mall for VE Day 80 procession and fly past

25 April, 2025

Members of the public are able to watch the VE Day 80 military procession taking place on Monday 5 May.

Crowd on the Mall

How to watch the 2025 Victory in Europe (VE) Day celebrations

25 April, 2025

Guidance on watching and attending the VE Day 80 procession and flypast (5 May 2025)

Police in London

Staying safe

25 April, 202525 April, 2025

Planning to watch the VE Day 80 events and commemorations in London over 5th – 8th May? Information and top tips to help you stay safe.

Open Letter image with VE Day veteran

Open letter

24 April, 2025

10 surviving Second World War veterans have released an open letter to the nation, inviting people to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day on Monday 5th May.

10 Downing Steet

Victory inn Europe! Pubs to stay open later as part of VE 80 Celebrations

18 April, 202524 April, 2025

Pub goers will be able to raise a toast to veterans for an extra two hours to celebrate next month’s historic 80th anniversary of VE day.

Children's bunting competition

10 Downing Street Bunting Competition

8 April, 20258 April, 2025

An exciting opportunity for your designs and artwork to be featured in 10 Downing Street.

VE VJ Day 80 branded image

Stars of stage and screen will perform for VE Day 80 anniversary

8 April, 2025

Julian Glover, Siân Phillips, and Joseph Mydell will appear in the National Theatre’s ‘The Next Morning’ to mark VE Day 80

Lisa Nandy at National Theatre

National Theatre film and Imperial War Museums bring Second World War stories to a new generation as part of VE Day 80 plans

12 March, 202512 March, 2025

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has announced a programme of activity to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. In addition to four days of events and celebrations to commemorate the end of the Second World War in Europe, additional activities will include a new film from the National Theatre, a national call out for the public to look for letters written during the war, an immersive AR experience and resources for every school in the country.

Cenotaph draped in Union Flags, Westminster Abbey service, Flypast and concert among plans unveiled to mark VE Day 80

4 March, 20254 March, 2025

The 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day will be marked this year with a series of events and celebrations that will share stories of the Second World War generation.

1

More on VE and VJ Day commemorations