Red Arrows flypast, Tower of London poppies to return and concert for 10,000 people

A host of events have been announced in London for the the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) over four days at the May Bank Holiday weekend. The Cenotaph will be draped in Union flags for the first time in more than 100 years, some 30,000 ceramic poppies will be displayed at the Tower of London, a military procession to Buckingham Palace will be followed by a Red Arrows flypast and streets parties will take place across the country.

Victory in Europe Day, known as VE Day, is celebrated on May 8 each year to mark the day the Allies formally accepted Germany’s surrender in 1945. The 80th anniversary events will begin on the bank holiday Monday (May 5) with street parties and barbecues, includes a street party on HMS Belfast which is moored on the River Thames.

Bruno Peek, pageant master of the commemoration, said: “We encourage everyone to take part – raise the VE Day flag at 9am, gather in streets, gardens, town halls, clubs and pubs. Let this be a day of joy, reflection, and celebration.” This year’s events offer “a great opportunity to celebrate what we have in common, and to use the celebrations to reach out to neighbours, friends and our wider communities”, said Brendan Cox, co-founder of the Together Coalition, which is organising the VEDay80 community campaign.

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On May 5 there will also be a military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace, followed by the Red Arrows flypast. Landmarks will be lit up to mark the occasion, and the Cenotaph will be draped in Union flags for the first time since it was unveiled by King George IV in 1920.

It is understood on Tuesday, May 6 sn installation of 30,000 ceramic poppies will be displayed in the Tower of London, which was bombed during the Blitz. Commemorating the newsflash announcement on the evening of May 7, 1945 that the following day would be VE Day, the Parliament Choir will host an anniversary concert in Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster.

On VE Day itself (May8), a service will take place at Westminster Abbey and more than 10,000 members of the public will attend a concert at Horseguards Parade.

More events are planned to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day on Friday, August 15. A service is set to take place at the National Memorial Arboretum by the Royal British Legion, the nation’s largest military charity, in partnership with the Government.

Both August 15, a week after the US bombed the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and September 2, when Japan signed a document to officially surrender, are known as VJ Day or Victory in Japan Day.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said this year’s anniversary offers “important opportunities for communities to come together”. Ms Nandy said these commemorations will be an opportunity to “hear our veterans’ stories first hand, to reflect and remember, and ensure that their stories of sacrifice and service are remembered for generations to come”.

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