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80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan

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2025 will commemorate the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day.

Thursday 8 May 2025 marks 80 years since Victory in Europe (VE) Day, when the Second World War came to an end in Europe. Friday 15 August 2025 marks Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, when Japan surrendered to officially end the Second World War.

Celebrating VE and VJ Day 80

VE and VJ Day is an opportunity for the nation to come together to honour and pay tribute to the millions of people across the UK and Commonwealth who served in the Second World War. To tell the stories of those who fought, the children who were evacuated, and those who stepped into the essential roles on the Home Front.

Some Cambridgeshire residents may remember celebrating VE and VJ Day in 1945. To commemorate the 80th anniversary, the Government has planned a programme to echo the celebrations 80 years ago. They will begin on Bank Holiday Monday (5 May 2025). Included will be a series of national and local events and activities.

You can see the full programme on the GOV.UK website.

There are many ways you can get involved with VE and VJ Day. Below you can find some of the events and activities you can do and how to find out more.

Plan a street party

On Bank Holiday Monday, street parties, barbeques and community get togethers will be held across the country.

Street parties are simple to organise. If you would like to hold a street party, a guidance document is available which sets out what you need to think about and busts some myths about what’s needed.

Visit the VE & VJ 80 website to download your street party pack, including guides and templates for invitations, posters, bunting and more.

Apply to hold a street party

Any members of the public interested in closing the highway to hold a street party for VE and VJ Day celebrations need to apply for a legal order to close the highway. The council will not charge any fees for traffic orders relating to temporary road closures for communities who are organising street parties, barbeques or get togethers to mark the anniversary.

The deadline for applications for:

  • VE Day celebrations is Thursday 17 April 2025
  • VJ Day celebrations is Friday 25 July 2025

Please refer to the ‘Organising a street part event’ webpage for the application form and guidance.

Alternatively, you can bring neighbours and the community together without a road closure through a ‘Street Meet’.

Add your event to the interactive map

If you’re hosting an event or activity connected with the 80th commemorations, you can add it to an interactive map on the VE & VJ 80 website so others can get involved and discover what’s taking place in their local area.

Community funding

Funding is available through the National Lottery Community Fund for organisations across England to bid for grants to host community events, activities and exhibitions marking VE and VJ Day and help tell the stories of the Second World War at a local level.

More information, including application guidance and criteria, can be found on the National Lottery Awards for All webpage.

Educational resources

There are lots of online resources you can use to connect with Second World War histories and help young people understand the importance of VE and VJ Day celebrations: