Skip to content

VE Day celebrations across the South announced

PA Media Archive image of a large group of people stood in front of terraced houses holding union jack flags on VE Day, circa 1945.PA Media
VE Day was celebrated across the country on 8 May 1945

Local authorities across the south of England have announced plans to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of the World War Two in Europe.

Portsmouth, home of the Royal Navy, is one of various locations where fees to close roads for street parties are being waived by councils.

VE Day falls on 8 May, but many celebrations are being held over the three days before, over the May Day bank holiday.

National events to mark the occasion include a flypast of Buckingham Palace and a service of remembrance to be held in Westminster Abbey.

Dorset Council said applications for street parties should be made by 11 April.

Ryan Hope, the council's customer, culture and community engagement chief, said: "The 80th anniversaries of VE Day give us a chance to come together and honour the sacrifices made by many during the war."

A VE Day beacon lighting service, hosted by the chair of the council, will also take place at Durlston Castle, in Swanage on 8 May.

SAC Connor Tierney/Ministry of Defence The red arrows bellowing red white and blue smoke as they fly over the statue of Sir Winston Churchill in Parliament Square.SAC Connor Tierney/Ministry of Defence
Celebrations marking the 75th anniversary in 2020 were heavily curtailed by the Covid-19 pandemic

A remembrance service at St Michael at the North Gate church, on Cornmarket Street, on 11 April will kick off events in Oxford.

The city's council said it would be marking the anniversary by lighting a beacon at Blenheim Palace - the ancestral home of wartime prime minister Sir Winston Churchill.

The authority is also encouraging street parties, and said celebrations would end with a performance by The Bicester Military Wives Choir on 10 May.

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council is also among those waiving fees for street parties to encourage celebrations.

Jack Douglas, from the council, told residents it was about "wanting to make it easier for you to have fun together and honour those who served".

On the Isle of Wight, people are being encouraged to use the island's unique geography by hosting parties on its beaches and parks.

Meanwhile, the centrepiece of the celebrations in Southampton is set to be a special VE Day 80 concert at the O2 Guildhall, hosted by The Royal British Legion on 4 May.

A large-scale celebration at Carlton Place on 11 May, featuring music, entertainment, 1940s vehicles and food will mark the end of the city's commemorations.

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

More on this story