With various activities already underway throughout the bank holiday weekend and this week, VE Day is now officially here.
VE Day 2025 has already been marked by the King and Queen hosting a tea party for veterans of the Second World War on Monday, complete with the Red Arrows flying past.
“The events are an opportunity for the nation to come together to honour and pay tribute to the Second World War generation from across the UK and Commonwealth,” a Government spokesman said.
See also: Ideas and events in London to commemorate VE Day 2025
There are still more celebrations and important commemorations to come, and the public are urged to participate. “This may be our last chance to thank the survivors,” the spokesman added.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 events.
What do VE and VJ Day mean?
VE Day stands for Victory in Europe Day. It commemorates May 8, 1945, when Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced that fighting in Europe against Nazi Germany had ended.
However, this was not the official end of the Second World War, as many European soldiers were still engaged in combat with Japan.
The war officially concluded on August 15, 1945, after the US dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This date – and September 2 (when Japan formally surrendered) – is called VJ Day (Victory in Japan Day).
How was VE Day first celebrated in the UK?
On May 8, 1945, people across the UK poured into the streets to celebrate the end of the war in Europe, gathering with family, friends and neighbours. In London, huge crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace, proudly waving the Union Jack and wearing red, white and blue. They eagerly awaited the royal family, who made a memorable appearance on the balcony to greet the jubilant public.
However, VE Day was also a day of mixed emotions. While it marked the end of fighting in Europe, it was also a moment of reflection and remembrance for those who had lost their lives during the conflict. It also served as a time to acknowledge that many British soldiers were still engaged in combat in the Pacific, as the war was not yet over worldwide.
How was VE Day 2025 celebrated in the UK and what will happen today?
The Government website says: “The commemorations will pay tribute to the millions of people across the UK and Commonwealth who served in the Second World War, telling the stories of those who fought, the children who were evacuated, and those who stepped into the essential roles on the Home Front.
“The early May Bank Holiday will see the beginning of the events to mark VE and VJ Day 80 with events planned including a military procession and flypast of current and historic military aircraft, the return of the poppies to the Tower of London and a nationwide call for families to delve into their lofts and discover their own Second World War stories.”
Friday May 2
Coventry Cathedral hosted its VE Day 80th Anniversary Concert on Friday (May 2) before the bank holiday, starting at 6.30pm.
The concert featured performances from Amy Dowden, the D-Day Darlings, star cellist Guy Johnston, the award-winning Brass Band of Central England, and the Coventry Cathedral Girls’ Choir.
Monday May 5
The Cenotaph war memorial in Whitehall, London was draped in Union flags, honouring those who lost their lives during the Second World War.
A military procession went from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of Kent and the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and members of the Royal British Legion accompanied the King and Queen as they watched the procession on the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace.
This was followed by a flypast of military aircraft, including the renowned Red Arrows.
The royal family then returned to the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the flypast and Sir Keir and other senior visitors enjoyed the display from the palace grounds.
Later in the day, around 50 soldiers and Second World War veterans attended a tea party event hosted by Charles and Camilla at the palace.
Along with Sir Keir and the same members of the royal family, this also included women's Royal Navy Wrens and veterans of the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces.
Repurposed fabric bunting was used to adorn the Marble Corridor of the palace.
A street party was held aboard HMS Belfast, which fired some of the opening shots on D-Day in 1944 and protected Arctic convoys during the Second World War. Street parties, barbecues and other community events (supported by The Together Coalition and The Big Lunch) were held nationwide.
Tuesday May 6
Marking the anniversary, a ceramic poppy installation returned to the Tower of London. It symbolised a “wound” and the sacrifices made during the Second World War. In the evening, historic landmarks were lit up across the nation.
Wednesday May 7
The Parliament Choir hosted a Victory in Europe Day Anniversary Concert in Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster, commemorating the declaration of victory 80 years ago.
Thursday May 8
At midday today, UK government departments will observe a two-minute silence to honour and remember those who fought in WW2, with everyone across the UK encouraged to take part. London’s Cenotaph is often a focal point for these moments of remembrance.
Westminster Abbey will also host a commemorative service, which the Royal Family is expected to attend. A concert at Horseguards Parade will feature stage and screen stars alongside military musicians, sharing the story of the Second World War in Europe.
The Royal British Legion has advertised a Service of Commemoration for 4pm at Naval Review at the National Memorial Arboretum. Anyone is welcome to attend but those coming must register in advance. The legion is also holding a tea party beforehand for veterans only.
Moving into the evening, a VE Day concert is taking place at London's Horse Guards Parade to conclude the national commemorations and celebrations.
VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember will be presented by Zoe Ball and feature stars such as Samantha Barks, Fleur East, and John Newman. The King and Queen will be in attendance.
Another concert will take place at the Royal Albert Hall, titled VE Day 80: The Party, featuring the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.
Pubs in England and Wales also plan to stay open late on Thursday to allow customers to raise a glass to the veterans in their local until 1am.
And what about VJ Day?
Friday August 15
The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire will hold a service honouring those who fought and died during the war in the Far East.
“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 that they were fighting for,” Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said.
“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.”
The Government website says: “The commemorations will be UK-wide with activities across the nations and regions. Further details on the flypast, national events and plans to mark the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day across the UK, and how the public can get involved, will be announced in due course.”
A dedicated interactive VE Day and VJ Day website has been launched with the latest information and ways to get involved at ve-vjday80.gov.uk
