Victory in Europe Day and Victory in Japan Day

This year marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War, with Victory in Europe (VE) Day on May 8 1945 and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day on 15 August 1945.

More information about national celebrations and commemorations for VE Day can be found on the campaign webpage .

In Nottinghamshire, towns and villages will be joining together in commemoration.

Nottinghamshire County Council is preparing to mark the 80th anniversaries of both Victory in Europe (VE) Day and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day in 2025.

The commemorations will include several events to honour the sacrifices made by members of the Commonwealth and British Armed Forces. Planned activities include an outdoor “Concert for Peace” featuring the Band of the Royal Engineers, to be held on May 4 2025 at Victoria Embankment, Nottingham and a special service at Southwell Minster on May 11.

The commemorations will also feature a touring exhibition, “Nottinghamshire At War,” which will visit libraries, community venues, and the County Show, commencing on May 8 2025. The goal of this exhibition is to bring to life the stories of local servicemen and women who played critical roles during World War II, allowing the community to better understand the personal sacrifices made during this time.

Another poignant moment will be the unveiling of a Commonwealth Plaque at Victoria Embankment. This plaque will serve as a tribute to the more than 150,000 service members from across the British Commonwealth who sacrificed their lives during World War II. Nottinghamshire residents currently lack a dedicated space for commemorating these heroes, and the new plaque aims to fill this gap. 

Get Involved

Find out more about the social impact of WW11 in Nottinghamshire by visiting Nottinghamshire County Council's website .

Organise an event. Find out more about how to organise a neighbourhood street party on the Government website.