Four day celebrations have been announced to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day in the UK.
Commemorations will begin on May Bank Holiday Monday, which will see the Cenotaph dressed in Union flags, a military processions and a flypast in London.
There will then be a street party on HMS Belfast to kick off community celebrations.
Street parties, barbecues and community get togethers will then be held across the country supported by ideas and inspiration from The Together Coalition and The Big Lunch, echoing the celebrations 80 years ago as the population welcomed the end of the war.
On Tuesday 6 May, an installation of ceramic poppies will return to the Tower of London and historic landmarks across the UK will be lit up.
A service of remembrance and thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey will be held on 8 May, while a service is planned to mark VJ Day and the end of the war in the Far East in August. Events will conclude with a concert at the historic Horseguards Parade to finish the VE Day 80 commemorations in a celebratory tone, with more than 10,000 members of the public in attendance.
Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy said: “The 80th anniversaries of VE Day 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 that they were fighting for.
“By taking part in these significant commemorations, people across society will be able to hear our veterans’ stories first hand, to reflect and remember and ensure that their stories of sacrifice and service are remembered for generations to come.”
Arts Council England will work with arts organisations throughout 2025 to join with their communities and creatively commemorate, celebrate and reflect on the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day. Funding will also be made available through the National Lottery Community Awards For All programme for organisations to bid for grants to host events, activities and projects this year for communities to come together to commemorate the war and its impact on individuals and communities across the country.
