Commemorating VE Day and VJ Day

In 2025 we will mark the eightieth anniversaries of Victory in Europe (VE) Day and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day.  This is an opportunity for people across the nation to come together to honour and pay tribute to the Second World War generation through a series of national and local events and activities. 

• VE Day 1945
• VE Day 80
• VE Day 80 in Newcastle
• Celebrating VE Day 80
• Remember and reflect exhibition
• A place to remember
• VE Day commemorative events
• VJ Day 1945

VE Day 1945

On 8 May 1945 Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced the end of the war in Europe in a live broadcast to the nation. The long anticipated news saw millions take to the streets in spontaneous celebrations. A national holiday was declared and people from all walks of life came together to mark the occasion.

But they didn't just celebrate on VE day. They also mourned the loved ones they had lost, remembered those still fighting the war with Japan and hoped for a better future. 

VE Day 80

Thursday 8 May 2025 marks 80 years since the end of the war in Europe. The government have announced four days of activities to mark the eightieth anniversary of VE Day starting on 5 May 2025. These events will honour those who lived through the Second World War and celebrate the peace they secured. Activities include:

• Great British Food Festival
• Cenotaph draped in Union flags as a point of remembrance
• Military parade
• Services in Westminster Abbey
• Tip Top Towns for VE Day

For more information on national events visit https://ve-vjday80.gov.uk/ 

VE Day 80 in Newcastle

Today there are few left who remember the war, VE Day or VJ Day but it is still important that we mark these historic events. 

The eightieth anniversary of VE Day is a chance to honour our living World War 2 veterans and survivors, to reflect on the sacrifices their generation made and to celebrate their values, service and selflessness.

In Newcastle we will pay tribute to the brave men, women and children who gave so much for the freedoms that we have today. And, as in 1945, people and communities will be at the heart of our VE Day commemoration events and activities. 

Celebrating VE Day 80

We have helped communities in Newcastle to host VE Day events in their local communities with grants of up to £200. 

We received some fantastic applications and secured extra funding so more activities could receive support. We allocated £4,500 instead of the planned £3,000 to over 20 projects across the city.  We hope as many people as possible are able to get involved. 

Dinnington, Ponteland and District Royal British Legion Branch 

A VE and VJ 80 tea party in Dinnington village hall with food, drink and decorations. 

Tyne Housing Association, Joseph Cowan Centre, Byker

VE Day Community Event at the centre where Newcastle’s homeless community, who are often excluded from mainstream community activities, can come together to celebrate the anniversary of VE Day and honour and pay tribute to the Second World War generation. Some of the centre’s visitors are ex-veterans dealing with complex challenges as a result of their service so this event will mean so much to them. 

The Bostey, St Anthony’s Youth Education and Support, Walker

A themed VE Day style garden party and celebration for children and young people. They will be encouraged to ask their parents if any family members, such grandparents or great-grandparents. were part of the victory. Celebration will include arts and crafts to resemble planes and flags, traditional music and games and sausage and egg sarnies. The garden will be decorated in bunting and there ll be army hats for the children and young people to dress up in. 

Search Health Services for Older People, Slatyford 

A Vintage Tea Party to celebrate VE DAY organised in partnership with Bishops Court Sheltered accommodation. This will include a traditional afternoon tea and a singer who will provide live entertainment in the lounge at Bishops Court. 

The Welcome Project, Cornerstone Benwell

Two events for adults with profound Learning Disabilities, who are often excluded from mainstream events and celebrations, to celebrate the eightieth anniversary of VE Day.  

• Victory Garden Planting: Participants will be involved in creating a "Victory Garden," focusing on plants that were grown during WWII and flowers that red, white, and blue.
• Wartime Cookery Session: Participants will learn how to make a traditional meal from the era, using simple, wartime ingredients.

Tuesday Trailblazers Community Group, Blakelaw

A VE Day celebration at English Martyrs Church Hall including a war time singer, refreshments and crafts. The venue will be decorated for the occasion. 

Newcastle United Armed Forces Supporters Club

Veterans, armed forces personnel and their families will come together in the city centre to lay a wreath. This will be followed an event with food and drink. 

Fenham Association of Residents, West Fenham

VE Day community celebration at the FAR Centre. Veterans and the armed forces community are especially welcome. 

Waverly Primary School, Lemington

Day of activities in school to celebrate VE Day. The theme will be red, white and blue with everyone asked to dress in those colours. Children will take part in activities including making a giant flag, baking food that was eaten on VE Day using ingredients available during rationing and creating their own ration books. There will also be a themed lunch.

BKW TARA, Elswick

After a litter pick to make sure the area is clean and safe, the green at the bottom of the estate will be decorated with VE Day bunting and flags for a VE Day family event. There will be music, face painting, henna art, Tommy helmets and cakes with spitfire plane decorations. Activities for children will be based on the games kids played during World War 2. Refreshments will be provided and people are encouraged to bring a picnic. Veterans and the armed forces will talk about what it would have been like when Victory in Europe was announced and what it means to serve your country and teach everyone how to salute.  

People can make star shaped hanging decorations with personal or general messages to relatives or friends who served during the Second World War. People will hang their star on a small tree and, if they want to, tell a story about the person they are paying tribute to before we salute them all. 

Allerdale House, housing plus scheme, Chapel

VE Day social event for residents with entertainment, a singer and refreshments for residents. 

Throckley Community Hall

VE Day event for all the community including activities for people of all ages, music, entertainment, singing and dancing. Stories Past Artists will help us create a lasting archive of memories as a lasting tribute.

Semitones VE Day concert, Cestria House, Jesmond

Semitones, will perform a VE Day concert at Cestria Care Home as part of the Jesmond Community Festival. Residents and staff of Cestria House will be joined by family, friends, local people and those who attend the dementia café or the dementia friendly singing group to celebrate the anniversary of Victory in Europe. 

Projects4change, Blakelaw

VE Day event in Betty’s Hut at the Cowgate community centre. Local people will be able to find out about VE Day at a hands on experience using military kit from World War 2 including a vehicle and talks about the era. There will also be as decorations, food and drink to create a celebration event for the local community to enjoy. 

Friends of Woodlands Community Centre

A VE Day eightieth anniversary celebration in High Heaton library. This free event has been organised with residents from the Spinney who have provided their own and their families anecdotes and memories from events around VE Day. The Canny Crafters in the library have created a display for the event by crocheting and knitting the armed forces and auxiliary support as well as crafting bunting. 

People of all ages will get together to celebrate and remember VE Day with activities including making your own bunting, flags and pictures, wartime music and refreshments. We will also decorate the Spinney with bunting and flags.

St Aidan's Church, Brunton Park, Parklands

A VE Day afternoon tea in the community room in the local church hall for local residents, including older and retired people who already meet there every week, to celebrate and mark VE Day in a meaningful way.

Byker Lodge Resource Centre ( Specialist in Dementia Care), Byker

VE Day celebration party for people who use Byker Lodge, their families, people who use other adult social care services, veterans and local people including children from the primary school.  There will be banners, food and drink and music. 

Parochial Church Council of St George, North Jesmond

A VE Day themed 'Big Friendly Gathering' on the church green, in the church and the community hall. The Town Crier will introduce the Sheriff of Newcastle who will open the event. There will be vintage music from the Darling Dollies, VE Day memories from 80 years ago and parade by the cadets. There will be an Eco stall, face painter and other children's activities. Refreshments will be available and people will have picnics on the church green. 

Share your VE Day 80 photos

Let us know how you celebrate VE Day by sending your photos to angela.hamilton@newcastle.gov.uk and we will share the best ones. Please include details of who is in the photos and confirm that we have permission to use the photos on social media and on our website. 

Remember and reflect exhibition

The Arches, Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne. Friday 2 May to Monday 12 May 2025

Following the unconditional surrender of the German forces people across the country celebrated. Pubs stayed open late, the streets were filled with signing and dancing, parties and parades and special thanksgiving services were held. 

But along with the joy and relief was sadness for those who had lost their lives and prayers were said for the allied forces still fighting in Asia and the Pacific. There was also concern for the Prisoners of War still waiting to get home and horror at the images that were coming out of the Nazi concentration camps.

VE Day 80 is  a chance to learn about the stories of those who lived through the Second World War. To hear about the servicemen who fought, the women on the home front and the children who were evacuated. 

As part of our VE Day 80 commemorations as special exhibition will be on display in the Arches reception at the Civic Centre. It will feature memories and photos of local people who served or lived through the World War 2 along with wartime recipes, games, stories and photos from the Imperial War Museum. 

Get involved: If you have photos, stories or other memorabilia you would like us to include in the Remember and reflect exhibition please email angela.hamilton@newcastle.gov.uk by Tuesday 29 April. 

A place to remember

War Memorial, Old Eldon Square, Newcastle. Friday 2 May to Monday 12 May 2025

We understand that some people would like a dedicated place where they can take time to reflect on the past or honour the fallen. 

From Friday 2 May to Monday 12 May 2025 a VE Day flag will be flown at the War Memorial in Old Eldon Square to create a focal point where local  residents can choose their own time to come pay their respects. Floral tributes can be also be laid at the War Memorial.

Please note: There is no formal flag raising ceremony at the War Memorial.  

VE Day Commemorative events

Ceremonial Way, Civic Centre, Newcastle. Thursday 8 May 2025

9:00am  Flag raising ceremony

Join us as we pay tribute to those who sacrificed so much for the freedoms we enjoy today. 

9:00pm  Band of the Fifth Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

9:05pm  Opening remarks: Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Councillor Rob Higgins

9:10pm  Musical tribute

9:15pm  VE Day speech - Colonel Peter Stitt, Commander North Region, British Army

9:25pm  Tribute to the fallen: Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Councillor Rob Higgins

9:28pm  National Anthem

9:30pm  Lighting of the flambeau beacons: Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Councillor Rob Higgins

VJ Day 1945

While VE Day marked the end of the war in Europe, many thousands of Armed Forces personnel were still engaged in fighting in the Far East. 

Fighting in the Asia-Pacific took place from Hawaii to North East India. Britain and the Commonwealth’s principle fighting force, the Fourteenth Army, was one of the most diverse in history. More than 40 languages were spoken and all the world’s major religions represented. Victory over Japan came at a heavy price with many thousands losing their lives. 

On 15 August 1945,  Japan's surrender meant Second World War 2 finally came to an end. The day was celebrated across the world as ‘Victory over Japan’ Day.

Today the descendants of many of the veterans who served in the Far East are part of multicultural communities around the world as a lasting legacy to the success and comradeship of those who fought in the Asia-Pacific. 

VJ Day 80

To mark eightieth anniversary of VJ Day the Far East the government have announce a service will take place at the National Memorial Arboretum. The Royal British Legion will lead the nation in honouring and remembering those who fought and died in the War in the Far East.

In Newcastle, we are making plans to pay tribute to those who fought in the Asia-Pacific including honouring local people who were part of the Fourteenth Army who served in the Burma campaign.