Event Details
- Location: All Cathedrals - check for details
- Address: St Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4M 8AD
- Start date: 08th May 2025
- End date: 08th May 2025
- Times: 08:00
- Entry fee: Varies
VE Day in 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, with two key dates to remember, Thursday 8 May and Friday 15 August.
Thursday 8 May is Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) – the day the German forces surrendered to the Allied powers.
Friday 15 August is Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day). This is the day on which Imperial Japan surrendered, in effect bringing World War Two to an end.
To commemorate these monumental moments in history, cathedrals, churches, local councils and community groups are encouraged to bring people together for VE Day and/or VJ Day.
Thursday 8th May 2025 will mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. This will be commemorated nationally on Victory in Europe Day (8 May 2025).
The Very Revd Jo Kelly-Moore, chair of the Association of English Cathedrals and the Dean of St Albans said:
“On 8 May 2025 Cathedral bells around our nation will ring out as we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day and give thanks for those who offered their service, and many their lives, that we might know peace.
“As we gather in prayer in our Cathedrals and places of worship on that special anniversary, the bells that ring out are also a call to us to renew our commitment, people of all faiths and none, to work for peace in our communities and in God’s world.’
You will find news of special events and worship planned in our cathedrals to mark this anniversary on this page as they are announced.
Westminster Abbey announce special VE Day service here.
Newcastle Cathedral VE Day Danish memorial service will take place on 8th May. More here.
Norwich Cathedral are holding on talk on the Norwich Blitz included the night on which Norwich Cathedral was targeted and how it was saved. Find out more here.
Ely and Ely Cathedral are holding a series of events on VE Day itself and this includes some special VE Day Military Guided Tours. Find out more here.
Leicester Cathedral will mark both anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day which take place on Thursday 8 May and Friday 15 August respectively with commemorative evening services. Find our more here.
Winchester Cathedral will commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a special service of Choral Evensong at 3.30pm on Sunday 11 May.
Guildford Cathedral will host a special service for the 80th Anniversary of VE Day on Sunday 11th May 2025 at 3.00pm.
Coventry Cathedral will mark the anniversary of VE Day 80 with historic illustrated talks on the city’s history.
New knitting artwork depicting scenes from Britain in wartime goes on show in Wells Cathedral for VE Day 80.
Thousands of hours, millions of stitches – the Ripon Community Poppy Project is working in partnership with Ripon Cathedral for a shared moment of commemoration and celebration to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, VE 80. Read more here.
Durham Cathedral will be lit in red for VE Day from 21:00 each evening from Tuesday 6th May to Thursday 8th May. Read more here.
Truro Cathedral is at the centre of a series of events for the 80th Anniversary of VE Day. You can read all about those here.
Carlisle Cathedral will hold a special service of Choral Evensong to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Allied Victory in Europe in 1945.
St Albans Cathedral will mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a special choral evensong on Thursday, 8 May sung by the Abbey Singers.
For more information and events relating to VE Day 2025 click here.