Celebrate VE Day 80 in Plymouth!

27th March 2025

Whether you host your own street party, or join us for the festivities on The Hoe, get ready for an unforgettable celebration, as Plymouth marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe.  

Join us on Thursday 8 May, on Plymouth Hoe for a day packed with excitement, entertainment, and heartfelt remembrance. Funded by Plymouth City Council, with support from defence company Babcock International Group (Babcock), which owns and operates Devonport Royal Dockyard, VE Day 80 will start at 10:30am with a flag-raising ceremony and a full parade of Standards at the Belvedere, featuring the Royal Navy Guard and ships in the Sound.  

The festivities will then continue throughout the day with live music on The Hoe, an evening concert, vibrant street party, stalls, and vintage vehicles. With the evening concluding with a Sunset Guard lighting the Plymouth beacon at 8:40pm.  

Across the country, millions will be dancing, singing, and partying in the streets to celebrate the end of the war. Plymouth City Council is making it easier for local people to join in by suspending road closure fees for street parties between Thursday 8 and Sunday 11 May. This will hopefully encourage local people to come together with their neighbours to have their own community celebrations. The deadline to apply for a road closure is 11 April.  

Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Events, says: "This will be a fantastic community event to celebrate VE Day 80. It's a chance for us all to give thanks and remember those who lost their lives during the war, and to reflect on the past.  

“Plymouth City Council is proud to be organising a day of celebration on The Hoe. And, whilst residents and communities will need to buy their own Victoria sponges, we are happy to wave the cost of road closures, to enable communities to come together to organise their own celebrations.” 

John Gane, Managing Director of Babcock’s Devonport facility said: “As part of Plymouth’s proud history and an important part of the fabric of the city today, we are pleased to be supporting such a significant event, which provides an excellent opportunity for the local community to come together and mark 80 years since Victory in Europe Day.  Our Armed Forces play an essential role in the defence of our nation and we are proud to continue supporting them as we aim to create a safe and secure world, together. 

At the event on The Hoe, The Box will also be bringing history to life with amazing archive film clips showing Plymouth during the war years. Watch these fascinating glimpses into the city's past on the Big Screen, including the King's secret visit in 1941 and the bomb damage from the Blitz. 

Brigadier Mike Tanner OBE ADC - Devonport Naval Base Commander, says:  

“From a military perspective, I am always in awe of the enormous courage and sacrifice required to achieve that outcome of “Victory in Europe”.  Both those fighting directly and those back here in Plymouth – who kept the Naval Base running, whilst their houses and city were bombed.   

“Like every service person, I am always proud of my connection to Plymouth.  But as I think of this 80th anniversary I am massively reminded that today we stand on the shoulders of the giants who led before us.” 

And let's not forget, the war in the Far East didn't end until 15 August 1945, when Japan surrendered. On Friday, 15 August, the Royal British Legion will lead the nation in honouring and remembering those who fought and died during the War in the Far East with a service marking 80 years since VJ Day (Victory over Japan) at the National Memorial Arboretum. Plymouth will also commemorate this anniversary with a special church service. 

Dates for the diary  

Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 May: Hold your own street party – with the cost of road closures suspended.  Apply here.

Thursday 8 May: Celebration on Plymouth Hoe  

• 10.30am: flag raising, standards and ships in the Sound  

• 11am: live music on The Hoe, street party, stalls, and vintage vehicles  

• 5.30pm: evening concert  

• 8.40pm: Sunset Guard lighting the Plymouth beacon  

Friday 15 August: Special church service to commemorate VJ Day at St Andrews Church. Further details will follow nearer the time

Find out more information about VE Day 80 celebrations in Plymouth.