VE Day in London & Surrey
CELEBRATING VE DAY IN SW LONDON AND SURREY
On Thursday 8th May, it will be 80 years since the end of the Second World War. To commemorate and mark this event, there will be celebrations across SW London and Surrey starting on the 3rd May with a bank holiday on Monday 5th May.
Wimbledon Village (pictured at top)
Take part in the procession on 8th May in Wimbledon Village. Starting with fish & chip cones served at the Dog & Fox, then music by the Wandle Concert Band at the War Memorial. There will then be a procession and service of remembrance at the War Memorial. More info here
Watch the VE Day Fly Past
There will be four days of official VE Day 80 events in London taking place from 5-8th May and the Cenotaph on Whitehall will be draped in Union Jack flags during this time. There will also be a military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace, followed by a flypast of military aircraft including the Red Arrows on 5th May. For full details of the events, see the government website.
Surrey Day and VE Day
Surrey Day and VE Day celebrations are being combined in the county, with Surrey Day returning for the seventh year on Saturday 10th May. To incorporate VE elements, then the theme ‘How World War Two Shaped Surrey’ will be explored around the area, culminating in the lighting of a ceremonial beacon.
https://www.visitsurrey.com/whats-on/surrey-day/
West Horsley Place, Surrey
Open Days are a regular fixture at West Horsley Place and on Sunday 11th May there will the opportunity to hear about the Place’s story during wartime. It will explore how 40 young evacuees were sent there in 1939 and what their time there was like.
https://www.visitsurrey.com/event/surrey-day-%3a-world-war-ii-%7c-west-horsley-place/251290101/
VE Day: The Party at The Royal Albert Hall
On Thursday 8th May, SSAFA, which is the Armed Forces charity will be leading VE Day 80 celebrations with songs, music and dance from ‘Our Greatest Generation’ As the 80 year anniversary comes, it will be one of the last opportunities for the country to acknowledge the milestone with some of the veterans who lived through it.
https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2025/ve-day-80-the-party
VE Day 80 Open Afternoon At The Poppy Factory in Richmond
On Thursday 8th May The Poppy Factory will be holding special celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. There will be an opportunity to chat to experts and learn about the factory, and there will be hot drinks, refreshments and a special VE Day 80 Victoria sponge cake. There will also be a VE Day 80 special discovery session on 7th May at 12.30pm.
https://www.poppyfactory.org/event/visit-to-the-poppy-factory-07-05-2025-3/
https://www.visitrichmond.co.uk/events/ve-day-80-open-afternoon-at-the-poppy-factory-p2326181
VE Day Street Parties
If you want to host your own street party then consult your local council about what they are offering in terms of grants and funding for events. For example Wandsworth is offering grants for community groups to host events and the borough council is waiving street closure fees for road closures from 3-5th May to encourage street parties.
VE Day Event In Ravenscourt Park, Fulham
On Saturday 10th May, 11-5pm, there will be an opportunity to learn about the war and events that took place in Fulham, with archive stalls and re-enactments of what those living in the borough experienced. Tanks and armoured vehicles will be on site.
https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/culture-and-events/be-part-our-80th-anniversary-ve-day-celebrations
VE Day Celebrations in Sutton
On Saturday 3rd May, celebrations will start in Sutton High Street from 10am – 3pm. There will be a chance to enjoy performances, a vintage market and there will even be a Spitfire to explore and admire.
https://enjoysutton.co.uk/event-pro/ve-day-80th-celebration/
Street Parties in Putney
To mark the VE celebrations then Putney will be coming together with street parties across the borough where community is at the forefront. There will also be information on Putney’s role in the Second World War war.
https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/news/news-march-2025/fees-waived-for-ve-day-80th-anniversary-street-parties/
VE Tea in Kingswood, Surrey
The Kingswood Village Community Association is hosting a VE Day Afternoon tea, where there will be refreshments and WWII songs being performed by a local band.
Epsom & Ewell
A number of commemorative events will be held across the borough on 8th May, including a procession from the Town Hall led by the Mayor to Epsom Market Place beginning at 8:45am. In the evening there will be a beacon lighting event taking place on Epsom Downs, alongside food and refreshments and entertainment from local performers.
