VE Day 80th Anniversary - A Shared Celebration

VE Day 80 – A Shared Moment of Celebration

Find events and activities taking place to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Victory in Europe (VE) Day, celebrated on 8 May 1945, marked the end of World War II in Europe. Eight decades later, we come together to reflect on the sacrifices made and honour the courage of those who fought for our freedom.

On Thursday 8 May 2025, we invite everyone in Broxtowe to take part in special events and activities that will bring our community together in the spirit of remembrance and celebration.

Activities for Schools & Families

• VE Day 80 Street and Home Garden Parties: Even though VE Day is not a public holiday, we encourage everyone to come together by hosting a street or garden party. Decorate your space with flags and bunting, dress up in costumes, share food with neighbours, and enjoy music from the era.
• Create Union Jack Flags: A fun activity for students to learn about the national flag and its significance during WWII.
• Fish, Chips and Mushy Peas Lunch: Take part in the national tradition of enjoying this classic meal, paying tribute to the fishermen who braved the seas and the farmers who kept the nation fed during the war.
• Share Your Family’s WWII Stories & Photos: Encourage students to bring in old family photos or memories from the WWII era. Display them in schools, libraries, or on social media using #BroxtoweVEDay80 to connect with others.
• Tip Top Towns: The public are invited to share their pictures of activity on the Government’s VE and VJ Day webpage (opens in a new window) and across social media using the #VE80 hashtag, with VE Day certificates available to all who participate.

VE Day Evening Commemorations Suggestions

• VE Day Beacon Lighting Ceremony
  8 May 2025, 9:30pm
  Schools and community groups are encouraged to take part in the International Tribute, lighting beacons to symbolise the ‘light of peace’ that emerged from the darkness of war.
• Ringing Out for Peace
  8 May 2025, 6:30pm
  Join churches across the country in a unifying moment as bells ring out to mark the 80th anniversary.
• VE Day 80 Lamp Light of Peace
  8 May 2025, 9:15pm
  Schools and households can take part by lighting a lamp to reflect on the sacrifices of the past and our hopes for the future. Lamps can be ordered at www.lamplightofpeace.co.uk (opens in a new window).

Events in Broxtowe

VE Day Flag Raising Ceremony

Beeston Square
8 May 2025, 9:00am

Join the Mayor of the Borough of Broxtowe, Councillor Sue Paterson, in raising the VE Day 80th Anniversary Flag.

Hemlock Happening

Bramcote Hills Park

7 June 2025, 1pm - 10:30pm

The Hemlock Happening is back for 2025 with a special celebration to mark the 80^th anniversary of VE Day!

Eastwood, On the Home Front, 1914-1918 - exhibition at the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum (17 April - 21 June)

From the archives of local newspapers of the time, and from the town council records, this exhibition gives us a glimpse into how World War I affected the streets and the people of Eastwood that D.H. Lawrence knew so well.

Just some of the events taking place to celebrate the VE-Day 80th anniversary in Broxtowe Borough can be found in the table below.

More events will be added and if you are organising your own event, get in touch with civic@broxtowe.gov.uk to share details with us or list it on our online events calendar.