2025 marks the 80th Anniversary of VE Day!
VE Day marks the end of World War Two in Europe, when fighting against Nazi Germany came to an end.
On the 8th of May 1945, Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced over the radio at 3 PM that the war in Europe had ended, following Germany's surrender the day before.
This year, to honour the 80th anniversary, celebrations will take place across Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, and Rhondda Cynon Taf.
For information on the celebrations in your area, please see below.
CARDIFF:
The Council will host a VE Day Celebration Picnic at Cardiff Castle on Bank Holiday Monday (5th May) 11am - 5pm, to mark the occasion and bring the community together. This free and ticketless family-friendly event will feature a range of free entertainment, including music from the bandstand, walkabout entertainers including circus and puppet shows, and children’s craft activities.
With regards to street parties, the Council have confirmed that one-off funding has been put aside in this financial year which will allow them to waive the costs associated with closing roads for VE Day community street parties, provided the event is non-commercial in nature (meaning no products or entertainment are sold to attendees).
Residents can submit applications for street parties over the May Bank Holiday weekend by emailing [email protected].
Applications will need to state the date and time, the exact location, approximate numbers, and whether emergency routes can be maintained. The team will then assess whether the closure satisfies safety checks and can be authorised.
For further information, please click here.
VALE OF GLAMORGAN:
For any Vale residents looking to celebrate VE Day with a street party, Vale of Glamorgan Council will be waiving any fee for road closures, on suitable streets. To qualify, streets must be either a cul de sac or minor road, not on a bus route, have the full support of residents, and hold a party on either the 5th or 10th May 2025.
For further details, please click here.
The Leader and Chief Executive have also arranged for a short flag raising service to be held on Thursday 8th May at 9a.m. at the Civic offices forecourt hosted by the new Mayor elect.
There is also a service being conducted by Barry Royal British Legion outside the Memorial Hall.
RCT:
In RCT, the celebrations will start at 10am on 8th May as the VE Day 80 flag is raised and the VE Day 80 proclamation is read. This will take place outside the Council’s offices in Llys Cadwyn, Taff Street, Pontypridd.
At 9:30pm on 8th May, beacons and Lamp Lights of Peace will shine across the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, and UK Overseas Territories—symbolising the enduring strength of communities across the UK and the Commonwealth. The Rhondda Cynon Taf beacon will be lit at 9:30pm in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Pontypridd.
The celebrations continue on Saturday 10th May, 11am – 4pm, with a VE Day 80 event in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Pontypridd. At 11am, there will be a service at the War Memorial. All are welcome to come along, bring a picnic and enjoy the post service entertainment which will include live music, refreshment stalls, and a beer garden. There will also be activity stalls for children and information on services available to members and veterans of the Armed Forces.
In addition to this, a mobile climbing wall will be installed for the event and a cave experience where children and adults will be able to explore a tunnel system that spans across two levels which includes stalactites and stalagmites and much more.
For further information, please click here.