VE Day 2025: Street parties return to mark 80 years since the end of war

Prepare your bunting and best sandwiches, street parties are coming back this May.

The public are being urged to get involved with the beloved community tradition to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day).

The government has announced four days of events from May 5 to 8, in tribute to the millions of people across the UK and Commonwealth who served in the Second World War.

Starting on the bank holiday of May 5, street parties, picnics and barbecues will be held across the country to reflect the celebrations that broke out across the nation 80 years ago.

On May 8, 1945, people marked the end to nearly six years of war with street parties, dancing and singing.

In Greenwich, eight-year-old Alan Bristow took his place at a long table beside the other children of Fingal Street.

Now aged 88, Mr Bristow recalls: “I remember feeling relieved.

“It was quite a frightening situation at the time.

“I remember the damp smell of being in a dug-out Anderson shelter, and seeing a candle flickering.”

Bunting and British flags hung above a banquet of biscuits, stacks of muffins and cups of tea balanced on saucers.

Mr Bristow said: “I remember eating my first banana on the day. The girl sat next to me, Betty English, had never seen one before.”

Speaking to the South London Press for the 75th anniversary of VE day in May 2020, Daisy Moore recalled the party in Wedgewood House, across Kennington Road.

She said: “It was a terrific celebration. We had a big bonfire in the middle of the square near Wedgewood House.

“Everyone was throwing out their furniture that they didn’t want, on to the fire. It was one big party with Americans, Canadians and Australian soldiers – as well as the Brits here from wherever. It was like a knees-up all night. Terrific.”

In an effort to revive this community spirit, the government is urging residents to get together once again, to organise celebrations on May 5.

Those looking to organise a street party will need to apply to their councils for permission to close their road.

Brendan Cox, co-founder of the Together Coalition, which is organising the VE Day community campaign said: “VE day 80 is a great opportunity to celebrate what we have in common, and to use the celebrations to reach out to neighbours, friends and our wider communities.”

Elsewhere across the four days of commemoration, the Cenotaph will be draped in union flags and about 30,000 ceramic poppies will be installed at the Tower of London. There will be a military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace followed by a flypast including the Red Arrows.

The Imperial War Museums (IWM), in Lambeth Road, will host Letters to Loved Ones allowing the public to delve into their family history to find letters sent by their relatives to loved ones during the Second World War. 

It is hoped that this will bring together first-hand testimonies from soldiers on the front line, and the women and children on the home front. 

Letters to Loved Ones will culminate in an event in May, bringing together school children and their families from across the UK to share these stories.

Caro Howell MBE, IWM director-general said: “As we mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War, we are reminded that this devastating conflict will soon pass from living memory. 

“Through ‘Letters to Loved Ones’, we want a new generation of children across the UK to learn about the Second World War and its aftermath, through the stories and memories of their own families and the voices of those who were part of the fight against tyranny.”

The VE Day ceremonies will conclude with a concert at London’s Horse Guards Parade for more than 10,000 members of the public, featuring stars of stage and screen and military musicians telling the story of victory and the legacy of the war in Europe.

To find out more about the plans for VE Day, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cenotaph-draped-in-union-flags-westminster-abbey-service-concert-and-flypast-among-plans-unveiled-to-mark-ve-day-80

Pictured top: Red Arrows fly-past marks the 70th anniversary of VE Day in 2015 (Picture: Jeff Gilbert / Alamy Stock Photo)