Military convoy and parties planned for VE Day

Getty Images D-Day veteran Joe Randall, 100, attends the UK's national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, hosted by the Ministry of Defence on Southsea Common on June 5, 2024 in PortsmouthGetty Images
Portsmouth hosted a national World War Two commemoration in 2024

The sound of live music and fairs will be filling the air across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to mark 80 years since VE Day.

A military vehicle convoy and special ceremonies will also take place throughout the week to commemorate the end of World War Two in Europe.

Events are being held in Aldershot, the home of the British Army, and near Portsmouth naval base.

Beacons will also be lit and church bells rung across the region on Thursday evening.

Getty Images VE Day 70th Anniversary Party in the Guildhall Square Southampton UK 09 May 2015 A Royal Navy Commando veteran enjoying the party. Getty Images
Southampton's Guildhall Square hosted a street party for VE Day 70 in 2015

On Sunday 4 May, Southampton hosts a Royal British Legion VE Day 80 concert at the O2 Guildhall.

Themed fetes and organised picnics will be held across the region on that day, including at Romsey's War Memorial Park and New Milton Recreation Ground.

Aldershot has a commemorative service at the Royal Garrison Church on Monday 5 May, followed by a street party where people are invited to bring a picnic.

The Bank Holiday also sees a fair with music and stalls at Wickham recreation ground.

Another event at Eastoke seafront, Hayling Island, on Monday aims to attract thousands of people with military vehicles and other attractions.

A vintage military vehicle passes an older woman waving a Union Jack flag at the event in 2019. Other vehicles can be seen behind it.
A convoy of military and other vehicles will travel from Southwick to Basingstoke

A host of events are planned for VE Day itself, 8 May.

Gurkha Square in Fleet has a day of events, including an air cadet drill display and evening partying.

Festivities at Sunnybank House Care Home in Fair Oak will culminate in an evening ceremony with a bugler and the lighting of candles.

People are invited to bring a picnic to the ruins of Bishop's Waltham Palace for an evening of celebrations with a military band.

On the Isle of Wight, a drum corps will parade through Cowes at 19:00. Another parade has been organised by the Royal British Legion from Sandown to Shanklin.

Manor Park in Aldershot is the venue for a community event from 20:45, with music and readings leading to the beacon lighting, which also takes place across the UK at 21:30.

Getty Images Ross Kemp and Dame Kelly Holmes join school children and junior cadets during a 'street party' onboard the Royal Navy warship HMS Duncan at HM Naval Base on April 04, 2025 in PortsmouthGetty Images
Portsmouth's VE Day celebrations started in April with a party on HMS Duncan attended by children and celebrities Dame Kelly Holmes and Ross Kemp

On the morning of Saturday 10 May, a convoy of classic military and other vehicles will drive from Southwick, near Fareham, to Basingstoke, on a route including the A32 and A339.

The event, held annually, supports the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal but this is the last time it will be put on by the current organisers.

Eastleigh's Leigh Road recreation ground is the venue for a free fair from 11:00 - 18:00 BST, including music and dancing.

The Red Lion pub in Overton will celebrate on Saturday with an eclectic mix of ration books for beer, classic cars and a Pearly Queen.

Portsmouth has wartime songs and 1940s dance classes at the Historic Dockyard on 10 May, as well as at the D-Day Story Museum the following day.

Sunday 11 May is the date for one of the region's biggest street parties.

A full-size Spitfire, military vehicles and music are among the attractions in Carlton Place, Southampton, from 12:00 to 17:00.

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