VE Day 2025: When is Victory in Europe Day, how do you celebrate it and is it a bank holiday?

VICTORY in Europe (VE) Day is one of the most important days in the UK calendar. 

The huge 2025 celebrations are planned to be some of the biggest yet, as it marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War. 

Marking the end of the war

VE Day always falls on May 8 every year, the same date as the end of WW2 which came to a close after six years. 

The war ended after Grand Admiral Donitz of the German Army surrendered to the allied forces, with Hitler having committed suicide a week earlier. 

After years of battling the Nazis, the allies had turned their fortunes around with the huge allied invasion of Normandy in 1944 and the offensives led by the USSR. 

Upon hearing the news that the war had ended, crowds rushed into the streets across the UK to celebrate the new peacetime. 

50,000 people packed Piccadilly Circus, waving flags, dancing and singing songs. 

Both Prime Minister Winston Churchill and King George VI paid tribute to the soldiers who had “laid down their lives” during the war, while the Royal Family made eight public appearances during the day. 

The two young princesses – the future Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret – even slipped out to join the crowds themselves. 

Similar parties took place across Europe, though the fighting continued in Asia until September 2, 1945, when Japan surrendered to America. 

How to celebrate VE Day

VE Day will mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, meaning The Government has planned several major celebrations. 

Huge street parties across major UK cities have been organised and the Labour government have encouraged people to flock to their favourite gardens, pubs, cafes and restaurants just like Brits did 80 years ago. 

The Government even promised that pubs will stay open until 1am on May 5.

A military procession will be held in central London on the same day, while an actor reads Winston Churchill’s VE Day speech. 

A young person will also carry the Commonwealth War Graves Torch for Peace to a 100-year-old Second World War veteran, who served at Normandy.

On May 6, 30,000 ceramic poppies will be laid at the Tower of London and an anniversary concert will be held at Westminster Hall.

Finally, the Royal British Legion will host a private tea party for the largest group of Second World War veterans at a VE event. 

VE Day bank holiday

VE Day is not a bank holiday, meaning that Brits won’t get the day off work to celebrate. 

However, The Government has announced that the May 5 bank holiday will be dedicated to VE celebrations. 

It has even been announced that May 5 will be dubbed Victory Day.