Join in the nationwide VE Day community celebrations!

2025 will mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. As it was in 1945, the heart of the VE Day 80 commemorations and celebrations will be in our communities.

While VE Day itself is the 8th of May, to support this year’s momentous anniversary, the bank holiday Monday 5th May has been officially dedicated to community celebrations!

We want to come together to celebrate our Second World War veterans, having this unique opportunity to learn once more from their experiences. Let’s make Monday 5th May a day to both remember their efforts and to honour the freedom that VE Day represents.

Start planning your VE Day celebrations!

VE Day 80 years ago was a moment in history that shaped the rest of our lives. I hope we can summon the spirit of that day again this anniversary to remember those who gave so much and to remind us of the values we care about. It’s great the Royal British Legion and Together Coalition are doing this for the country, so communities and school children can come together, share something special and today’s young people can see for themselves what our generation did all those years ago when we were young.
D-Day veteran Jim Miller, aged 100, from Merthyr Vale
VE and VJ Day 80 are important opportunities for us to come together as a nation and celebrate the freedoms that so many people fought to secure. These commemorations will be marked in every corner of the country and I encourage everyone to get involved.
Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Moments like this matter, they bring us together as a country and remind us of the freedoms we sometimes take for granted. They also give us an opportunity to thank everyone who contributed to the victory from the UK and across the Commonwealth. Let’s make this a party to remember!
Dame Kelly Holmes MBE (mil) OLY
VE Day marks a major moment in our history – when Britain helped defeat the forces of fascism and protect our democracy. Taking part is an opportunity for us all to honour those who sacrificed so much, to reconnect with our neighbours and communities – and to remember the values that underpinned the victory. They matter as much today as they did then. This might be our last chance to thank the surviving veterans – so we should celebrate them in style.
Ross Kemp
The 80th anniversary of VE Day provides one of our last opportunities to honour our living WWII veterans who so bravely fought for our democracy and way of life.
Michael Sheen

Countdown to VE Day 80

From the heart of West London, Raymond Blanc and Monica Galetti joined volunteers at the Almanaar Community Food Kitchen that serves the Grenfell community – showing what VE Day 80 is all about: sharing food, honouring legacy, and celebrating together.

Read the veteran open letter here

Follow our social media channels and share all the excitement with your friends!

Facebook X-twitter Instagram Linkedin
Department for Culture, Media and Sport

The community celebrations are led by The /together Coalition as part of the UK Government’s national programme to commemorate the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day, led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

/together are a coalition of the UK’s best known organisations, businesses and faith groups, committed to building kinder, closer and more connected communities. Find out more about our work here.