8 May 1945 marked the end of the Second World War in Europe, and this year, 2025, we celebrate the 80th anniversary of that historic occasion.

The 80th anniversary of VE Day is an opportunity for communities to come together to celebrate the end of the war in Europe. It is a chance to commemorate those who fought and sacrificed so much for the freedoms we enjoy today.

You can find out more about VE Day and events taking place near you on the government’s dedicated website or by checking local social media groups or asking your Parish or Town Council.

Events being held across East Sussex over the anniversary week include community street parties in Eastbourne, Hailsham, Seaford, Peacehaven, Bexhill and Hooe.

Here are few of the celebrations and commemorations taking place next month.

Hailsham

Hailsham Town Council is hosting a grand celebration in the town centre on Saturday, 10 May to mark the anniversary.

The event will feature a market selling locally sourced produce, as well food stands and activity stalls. There will also be live entertainment and dancing is encouraged! The aim of the event is to recreate the elation and joy of the street parties 80 years ago.

Burwash

VE Day 80th celebrations are taking place at Bateman’s over the weekend of 10 and 11 May.

Come dressed in your best 1940s glad rags and enjoy a victory cream tea with live music at Bateman’s.

The East Sussex Concert Band will be performing on Saturday 10 and the Sussex Brass Band will be playing on Sunday 11 May.

Friston

The National Trust is hosting a walk to the old RAF base at Friston to commemorate VE Day on Sunday, 11 May.

Starting at Crowlink car park, join National Trust guides on this ‘Spitfires and Spies’ walk to mark the anniversary.

Learn about the history of RAF Friston and how it grew from an emergency airstrip into a front-line fighter station during the Second World War. At the site of the old airfield, hear about the brave men and women who were based here and flew the iconic Spitfires over this beautiful landscape.

Staplecross

A short Remembrance Service will be held at 11am on Thursday, 8 May at Staplecross War Memorial.

Local school children will sing a selection of Second World War songs at the Village Hall at 2pm, followed by a screening of the film “Goodnight Mr Tom” at 3.45pm

A torchlit procession will leave the War Memorial at around 9.15pm and proceed to Staplecross Beacon for a VE Day Tribute, with the beacon lit at 9.30pm.

Rotherfield

Celebrations start in Rotherfield with flag raising and the reading of the proclamation on the recreation ground at 9am on Thursday, 8 May.

At 6.30pm the church bells will ring out in celebration. A short parade will march from the village square to the beacon at 9.15pm, which will be lit at 9.30pm followed by fireworks.

On Sunday, 11 May, a Thanksgiving Service will be held at St Denys’ Church at 11am. A parish ’40s style picnic will take place from midday on Court Meadow Green and people are asked to come dressed in 1940s style.

Crowborough

The local community are invited to a celebration event on Thursday, 8 May, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at Goldsmiths Recreation ground.

Proceedings will begin with a recording of church bells ringing for peace followed by readings and a display march by the Crowborough Cadets.

This will be followed by singing and dancing on the stage including war-time songs and dancers teaching the steps to the Lindy Hop dance ‘The Swingout’. 1940s dress is encouraged with a prize for best dressed!

The event will conclude with the lighting of the beacon at 9.30pm.

Uckfield

The Civic Centre is the venue for celebrations from 11am to 4pm on Monday, 5 May.

On duty will be the Uckfield Singers, Uckfield Concert Brass and a choir. A ‘street party’ will be set up too and people are welcome to bring a picnic and celebrate together.

On Thursday, 8 May the town crier, Ian Bedwell, will read a town proclamation.

Heathfield

On Saturday, 3 May, a special celebration event will be held at Heathfield Community Centre from 1pm to 7pm to mark 80 years since Victory in Europe. There will be vintage rides, face painting, live music all day, a dog show, stalls and children’s activities. Entry is free.

On Thursday, 8 May, a Civic Service will be held at All Saints Church at 7pm. Following the service the Heathfield and District Bonfire Society will lead a torchlit procession before the laying of tributes and the lighting of the beacon at Cade Street Recreation Ground at 9.30pm.

From Friday 9 to Sunday 11 May, All Saints Church will host a VE80 Exhibition, open daily. Enjoy engaging ‘Hands on History’ presentations, suitable for all ages.

Eastbourne

To mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Eastbourne Bonfire Society will be holding a beacon-lighting ceremony on the seafront.

The event starts at 8.45pm on Thursday, 8 May, with performances from the Eastbourne Pipe Band and the Eastbourne Silver Band.

A torchlit procession led by the Pipe Band will travel along Lower Promenade from the Bandstand to Bonfire Beach near the Lifeboat Museum, concluding with a commemorative beacon lighting.

Rye

At 9am on Thursday, 8 May the VE Day flag will be raised at St Mary’s church and Rye’s town crier, Paul Goring, will proclaim the official VE Day 80 cry.

Commemorations will continue at the Buttermarket at the town hall. Starting at 1pm, the event will include the Ryebellion Drummers, a recording of the speech Sir Winston Churchill gave announcing the unconditional surrender of Germany, speeches and a singalong of wartime songs.

The beacon will be lit at 9.30pm.

National events

There are also a number of national events including a service of remembrance and thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey followed by a televised concert from Horseguards Parade on VE Day itself, Thursday, 8 May.

On bank holiday Monday, 5 May, there will be a military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace followed by a flypast of current and historic military aircraft including the famous Red Arrows.

And on Tuesday, 6 May, an installation of ceramic poppies will return to the Tower of London to mark the anniversary. Nearly 30,000 of the original poppies from the 2014 display at the Tower, which commemorated the centenary of the First World War, will be displayed in a new installation within the walls of the fortress.

 

Commemoration events were also held last year to mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings, or D-Day, which took place on 6 June 1944.