VE Day – Leicester Cathedral

Lighting up red, white and blue, commemorative worship, music, bunting and bellringing – all our cathedrals are getting ready to remember, reflect and give thanks to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for peace in our times.

VE DAY 80 – join us in a shared moment of celebration and remembrance.

More VE Day 2025 events 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, which will be open to the public and attended by the Lord Mayor, the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, and other civic dignitaries.

Bell-ringing will follow the services.

Elsewhere in the city there will be vintage music, bunting and bell-ringing and the city council is supporting community celebrations by enabling free road closures and providing traffic signs for anyone who wants to close a road for a street party.

Town Hall Square will be a focal point on both days, with bunting, flags, floral tributes and a commemorative book available where people can record their personal thanks to the men and women who served in the war.

Vera Lynn’s wartime classic ‘We’ll Meet Again’ and other well-known tunes from the 1940s will fill the square.

Thursday 8th May will mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe. To commemorate this occasion, the Government has announced an events programme between Bank Holiday Monday (5th May) and VE Day (8th May), culminating in a nationwide celebration of this historic day. You can check out all the events near you by clicking here.