Londoners celebrate V-E Day with street parties and floodlit landmarks
Updated
Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 7
Londoners celebrate V-E Day with street parties and floodlit landmarks
8 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 7
On 8 May 1945, Winston Churchill hailed victory as crowds gathered at Buckingham Palace and government buildings, while Big Ben, fireworks and sirens marked Germany's surrender.
Celebrations lasted two days, with people dancing in the streets, climbing buses and poles, and packing central London after nearly six years of blackout restrictions.
The festivities disrupted transport, stranded thousands and filled hotels and parks, as England prepares to observe the 81st anniversary of V-E Day on Friday.
As the generation that celebrated V-E Day vanishes, is the memory of their victory fading too?
A future queen secretly joined London's V-E Day party. What did this night reveal about the monarchy?
VE Day 2026: Honoring 81 Years of Victory, Veterans, and Peace in the UK
Overview
From May 7 to 9, 2026, the United Kingdom marks the 81st anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day with a reflective series of events. The Royal Family, including King Charles III and Queen Camilla, actively participates in ceremonies, highlighted by a major military parade and a spectacular flypast over London on May 8. Nationwide, communities celebrate with street parties and local gatherings, supported by councils waiving road closure fees. Unlike the grand 80th anniversary in 2025, 2026 focuses on intimate remembrance services and honoring veterans, emphasizing peace and unity. Schools engage in educational activities, while media and political leaders promote messages of gratitude and the importance of preserving peace.