Victory in Europe Day and Victory in Japan Day

This year marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War, with Victory in Europe (VE) Day on May 8 1945 and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day on 15 August 1945.

More information about national celebrations and commemorations for VE Day can be found on the campaign webpage.

In Nottinghamshire, towns and villages will be joining together in commemoration.

Nottinghamshire County Council is preparing to mark the 80th anniversaries of both Victory in Europe (VE) Day and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day in 2025.

The commemorations will include several events to honour the sacrifices made by members of the Commonwealth and British Armed Forces. Planned activities include an outdoor “Concert for Peace” featuring the Band of the Royal Engineers, to be held on May 4 2025 at Victoria Embankment, Nottingham and a special service at Southwell Minster on May 11.

The commemorations will also feature a touring exhibition, “Nottinghamshire At War,” which will visit libraries, community venues, and the County Show, commencing on May 8 2025. The goal of this exhibition is to bring to life the stories of local servicemen and women who played critical roles during World War II, allowing the community to better understand the personal sacrifices made during this time.

Another poignant moment will be the unveiling of a Commonwealth Plaque at Victoria Embankment. This plaque will serve as a tribute to the more than 150,000 service members from across the British Commonwealth who sacrificed their lives during World War II. Nottinghamshire residents currently lack a dedicated space for commemorating these heroes, and the new plaque aims to fill this gap. 

Get Involved

Find out more about the social impact of WW11 in Nottinghamshire by visiting Nottinghamshire County Council's website.

Are you planning on holding a street party? Please apply for a road closure on the Nottinghamshire County Council website.

Find out more about how to organise a neighbourhood street party on the Government website.

Lighting of Beacon in Bingham

Bingham Community Events warmly invites you to be part of their Beacon Lighting event, where they will illuminate the night with hope and togetherness. Join them on Market Square from 8.30pm till 9.30pm this evening (Thursday May 8).

Event schedule

• 8.30pm Mayor's welcome
• 8.32pm Thomas Markwick Singer
• 9pm Army Cadets Display
• 9.15pm Bingham RBL Act of Homage & Last Post
• 9.25pm Deputy Lord Lieutenant Read Tribute
• 9.30pm Becon Lighting, Rebecca Burgess will sing I vow to Thee my Country

Please check the timings so you can fully enjoy the evening. Bring along your loved ones, and share in the joy of being part of a community that shines brightly together. We look forward to joining together to mark the occasion with you!

VE Day Celebration Day at West Bridgford Air Raid Shelter

We are hosting a VE Day experience at Abbey Circus Air Raid Shelter in West Bridgford with Nottingham Trent University (NTU) as part of VE Day celebrations in the Borough.

The event today (May 8) will see local schoolchildren invited for a private tour of the air raid shelter which was forgotten for decades and has now been fully restored for visitors to experience what it was like to take shelter from bombs during World War II.

A choir group from Rosecliffe Spencer Academy will also be performing a variety of wartime songs to mark VE Day.

The shelter officially reopened in February this year after being fully restored with a £60,000 grant from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, matched with funding from RBC and NTU. Find out more about the site and book a private tour via the Abbey Circus Air Raid Shelter website.

Host a Brew and Bake event

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Combat Stress is relaunching their Brew and Bake - a nationwide initiative encouraging people to host coffee mornings to raise funds for veterans’ mental health for VE Day 80.

The official Brew and Bake date is Thursday 8 May 2025 - aligning with the VE Day anniversary - but events can take place whenever works best around that time. Whether through hosting a coffee morning, sharing this opportunity with others, or encouraging local businesses and groups to get involved, your support would mean so much to veterans in your catchment and across the UK.

The Great British Food Festival

Plan and host a Great British Food Festival on Monday May 5. This could be a small gathering with friends, a Big Lunch with your neighbours, a food festival in your community or even a BBQ.

On the Great British Food festival website you can find all the materials to help you get started, including The Big Lunch Guide to Bringing People Together full of event planning resources and tips, craft activities, posters, invites and conversation prompts for communities hosting local celebrations.

Planning your Great British Food Festival has never been easier!

VE Celebration Day Tea Dance

Carefound Home Care in West Bridgford is hosting a VE Celebration Day Tea Dance on Friday May 9 from 2.15pm to 3.45pm at Lutterell Hall, Church Drive, West Bridgford NG2 6AY. 

The event is free to attend and participants can enjoy live entertainment, homemade cakes, refreshments, quizzes, a memorabilia stand and a raffle! All funds raised will go to the Rushcliffe Dementia Action Network (RDAN).

VE Dance hosted by Antlers Bistro

Step back in time for an unforgettable evening of live music, dancing and vintage charm! 

Come along to Antlers Bistro at Manor Farm Park & Woodlands in East Leake on Saturday May 10 from 6.30pm to 10pm, for a VE Day Dance featuring the sensational Rose Devine.

Start the night with a complimentary welcome drink before indulging in a selection of canapés - each inspired by a modern twist on the classic ration box. For something more substantial, hot meat and nut roast cobs will be available to purchase throughout the evening.

Tickets are £24.95 per person, with 10% of the proceeds donated to our Mayor's chosen charity SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

Book your place online

Dust off your dancing shoes and celebrate in style, this is a night you won’t want to miss!