UK Announces Four-Day Commemorations for VE Day 80th Anniversary

Events will include military processions, flypasts, concerts, and a new ceramic poppy installation at the Tower of London to honor WWII sacrifices.

The 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day will be marked with four days of events from May 5 to May 8, 2025, beginning on the May bank holiday.
Key events include a military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace, a flypast featuring the Red Arrows, and a concert at Horse Guards Parade for 10,000 attendees.
The Cenotaph in London will be draped in Union flags, serving as a focal point for the commemorations, with a major remembrance service planned at Westminster Abbey on May 8.
A new display of 30,000 ceramic poppies will return to the Tower of London, symbolizing a “wound” to honor sacrifices made during WWII.
The public is encouraged to host street parties, participate in the ‘Letters to Loved Ones’ campaign, and reflect on veterans’ stories through educational and community initiatives.