To celebrate 80 years since Victory in Europe towards the end of World War Two – known as VE Day – a number of events are being planned in Swanage, Dorset.
Locally on Thursday 8th May 2025 to mark the day, there will be the signing of the armed forces covenant, a concert at Swanage bandstand in the morning, the ringing of bells at St Mary’s church, and the lighting of a beacon at Durlston Castle in the evening.
Plans for the 75th anniversary of VE Day were curtailed and everyone had to stay at home in 2020
Post pandemic celebrations
As well as local celebrations there will also be national events in London between Monday 5th and Thursday 8th May 2025, including a military parade, a Red Arrows flypast, a concert, and a service at Westminster Abbey.
There had been plans to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day back in 2020 but they were scuppered by the Covid pandemic, which meant that most people ended up celebrating in their front gardens, socially distanced from their neighbours.
Although the Swanage street party to mark VE Day was cancelled in 2020, the plans were successfully revived in 2022 to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II
Swanage events 2025
Thursday 8th May
Signing of the Armed Forces Covenant by Swanage Town Council
In the morning at Swanage station, Swanage town mayor Tina Foster will sign the covenant which promises that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces are treated with fairness and respect. Since 2022, the Covenant has been signed by a variety of organisations including councils, businesses, schools and charities.
Concert at Swanage bandstand
From 11 am to 12 noon, Karen Grant will be singing the songs of Vera Lynn, who was famous for her wartime performances, boosting the morale of soldiers and civilians. Everyone is invited to come to this free concert on the Recreation Ground, to wave flags and sing along to some old favourites. There will be a collection for The Veterans Association.
Ring out for Peace
St Mary’s church in Swanage, along with churches across the UK, will ring the bells between 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm to mark Victory in Europe.
Beacon lighting at Durlston Castle
Dorset Council is organising a ceremony including the lighting of a beacon at 9.30 pm at Durlston Castle in Swanage. Everyone is invited to attend and watch the beacon being lit, which will be one of many across the UK.
It will be hosted by the chair of Dorset Council, Stella Jones, with a tribute by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, Michael Dooley, and a speech from the chair of the British Royal Legion in Dorset, Gerry Nunn. The evening will conclude with the National Anthem.
Councillor Stella Jones said:
“The event will be part of a nationwide chain of beacons, illuminating the night sky across the United Kingdom honouring those who sacrificed for our freedom and inspire future generations to cherish the values of freedom and peace.
“We hope that residents of Swanage and people from other towns and villages across Dorset will join with us for this special event.”
The beacon lighting for the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II was so successful that Dorset Council wants to do it all again!
London events 2025
Monday 5th May
A military procession from Whitehall, in central London, to Buckingham Palace will be followed by a flypast of current and historical military aircraft, including the Red Arrows. The Cenotaph, on Whitehall, will be draped in union jacks, remembering those who died during World War Two, followed by a party on the warship HMS Belfast in the River Thames, and street parties around the country
Tuesday 6th May
A display of ceramic poppies will be unveiled at the Tower of London, and historic landmarks across the UK will be lit up.
Wednesday 7th May
A concert will be held in the evening at Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster, in central London
Thursday 8th May
A service will be held in Westminster Abbey during the day, followed by a concert at 8 pm for 10,000 members of the public at Horse Guards Parade in central London. The concert will be broadcast live on BBC One at 8pm and will include performances, readings and poignant moments that will tell the story of VE Day and the nation’s reaction to the end of the Second World War 80 years ago.
The Dorset County Chronicle on Thursday 10th May 1945 says that Swanage streets were ‘carpeted with confetti’
VJ Day in August
While VE Day was celebrated in 1945, it wasn’t until there was victory over Japan or VJ Day, that the war ended.
The 80th anniversary of VJ Day and the end of World War Two will be marked on Friday 15 August 2025.
Further information
- More about national events for the commemoration of VE and VJ Day
- Details about the Armed Forces Covenant
