The 8th May 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe). Across the world communities will come together to celebrate 80 years of peace since the end of World War II in Europe and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to achieve it.
Communities across Herefordshire will be celebrating with events taking place across the county. Find out about events taking place near you in the Community celebrations section below.
Visit the Armed forces events page on the Herefordshire Council website to find out about a special service taking place in Hereford City.
Planning your own event
If you’re holding an event, please let us know by adding it to our what’s on calendar for free or email the team at talkcommunityengagement@herefordshire.gov.uk
We can help share awareness to communities!
You may need to apply to Herefordshire Council to close your street or road to traffic. Please visit the Herefordshire Council website for more information.
Bartestree
LWB Wellbeing Cafe
Bartestree Village Hall
Thursday 8th May, 10.30am-12.30pm
The community cafe will have a VE Day theme - join us as part of the celebrations!
Bishops Frome
Ward Hill, Bishops Frome (Sign posted from Bishops Frome and Evesbatch main Worcester Hereford Road)
Thursday 8th May from 5.30pm
Bishops Frome Parish Council and the surrounding community are organising the celebration evening on Ward Hill on the edge of the village. Come along, bring a picnic, get involved! Children's races, egg throwing competition, bar, food stalls and music. The evening will end with the lighting of a (Strawman) Beacon and a display of fireworks.
Donations for British Legion on the night.
Brampton Abbotts
Brampton Abbotts VE Day: Cream Tea Afternoon
Brampton Abbotts Village Hall
Saturday 10th May, 2 – 4.30pm
Come along for an afternoon of celebration, remembrance and community as we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Enjoy cream teas, stalls, a children’s fancy dress competition, live music with The Bramptones and a raffle. Raising funds for St Michael’s Hospice. Everyone welcome.
Clehonger
Special CAN Café – Clehonger Village Hall
Friday 9th May 11:30am – 4:00pm
Join the Clehonger Action Network and Clehonger Village Hall for a special VE Day 80th anniversary celebration! Enjoy homemade hot lunches, cakes, and drinks in a warm community setting, with WW2-themed music and a local art display from the Clehonger Art Group and local school children. Donations welcome in aid of SSAFA (The Armed Forces Charity).
Garway
VE Day 80 – Party
Garway Hall, HR2 8RQ
Saturday 10th May 7:00pm – 11:00pm
Celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day with an evening of live music and entertainment at Garway Hall. The event features performances by Monmouth Big Band, Sugar Shop Harmony, and Jive by the Wye.
Dress is optional but 1940s, swing, or military attire is encouraged. Burgers and hotdogs will be available to purchase in support of the Royal British Legion.
Tickets £15, available from Broad Oak Garage, St. Weonards Shop, Garway School, or online at: @GARWAY event tickets from TicketSource.
Herefordshire Libraries will be commemorating VE Day 80 with a series of free community events throughout May and early June.
Visitors can explore the county’s wartime heritage through the 80:80 Herefordshire Memories of World War Two exhibition, hosted at Hereford, Ross-on-Wye, Ledbury and Leominster libraries on selected Thursdays.
Ross-on-Wye Library will also host a special Afternoon Tea in Commemoration of VE Day and a talk on Remembering Herefordshire in the Second World War on Thursday 8 May.
These events offer a chance to reflect, share memories, and discover more about local life during wartime.
To find out more and to book your place, please visit Eventbrite.
Hereford
80th Anniversary VE Night Dance at The Kindle Centre, Hereford
Saturday 10th May 7.30pm
Dancing to Hereford Big Band, Light Buffet included, Bring your own drinks, Prize for the Best Dressed
Tickets £15 from Kindle Centre (all proceeds to the Mayors charities, St Martins Foodshare and Kindle Big Eat)
VE day: 80th Anniversay Celebration at Holme Lacy Village Hall
Monday 5th May 1-6pm
Come along for a free day of pride, unity and remembrance as we gather to reflect on the sacrifices made and honour those who fought for our freedom.
Free hog roast, fun games and a fully licensed bar. Please book your FREE ticket in advance on the Holme Lacy Village Hall website.
VE day: 80th Anniversay Celebration across Leominster
Thursday 8th May 9am-9:30pm
Join Leominster for a day of reflection, pride and remembrance to mark 80 years since Victory in Europe.
Events will take place throughout the day, including a flag raising in Corn Square, a piper performance, bell ringing at The Priory Church, and an evening service followed by a lantern walk and beacon lighting on The Grange.
Fish and chip supper available (£6.60) – tickets from Leominster Information Centre.
Full list of events:
9:00am: Flag raising in Corn Square
10:00am: Free historical Leominster VE Day photo exhibition at The Mayor’s Parlour, Grange Court
12:00pm: Piper performance of the nationally agreed tune
6:30pm: Bell ringing at The Priory Church
7:00pm: Church service
8:00pm: Fish and chip supper (£6.60 – tickets from Leominster Information Centre)
9:00pm: Lantern walk from The Grange
9:30pm: Lighting of the beacon on The Grange
VE Day 80 – Coffee Morning & Exhibition
Garron Centre, Llangarron
Saturday 3rd May, 10:30am – 12:00 noon
Join the community at the Garron Centre for a VE Day 80th anniversary coffee morning and exhibition. Donations in support of the British Legion are welcome.
Llanwarne VE Day: Pop-up Pub
Llanwarne Village Hall
Friday 2nd May, from 6:30pm
Celebrate VE Day and future world peace with a relaxed evening at Llanwarne Village Hall. Enjoy a free running buffet (contributions appreciated), a themed candle-lit atmosphere, music, and a warm community welcome.
VE Day 80 – Celebration & Family Fun Day
The Red Lion, Madley
Monday, 5th May from 12pm
Celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a FREE and lively family fun day at The Red Lion in Madley, in partnership with the Royal British Legion. Expect live music, a beer festival vibe, and a host of children’s games and activities, including a tombola and treasure hunt.
Enjoy tasty food from the BBQ, drinks from the outside bar, and soak in the atmosphere with period dress-up encouraged! Open to all ages.
Ross-on-Wye
VE Day 80 – Live Music with Betsy Harmony
Crown & Sceptre, Market Square, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 5NX
Sunday 4th May 2:00 – 4:00pm
Celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a special afternoon of live music, featuring Betsy Harmony performing wartime songs, singalongs, and nostalgic favourites from the 1940s. Free event – everyone welcome.
VE Day 80 – Tea Dance with Monmouth Big Band
St Mary’s Church, Ross-on-Wye
Sunday 4th May 2:00pm
Step back in time and celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a classic tea dance at St Mary’s Church. Enjoy live music from Monmouth Big Band in a beautiful historic setting, honouring the spirit of 1945.
Tickets are £15 and free for under-16s.
For more details and to book, visit: Tea Dance with Monmouth Big Band – The Friends of St Mary's, Ross-on-Wye
The Prospect, Ross, HR9 5HT
Thursday 8th May, from 7pm
Ross-on-Wye Town Council will be celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the liberation of Europe in 1945 on the evening of Thursday 8th May. There will be 1940’s style live music from The Jazz Friday Big Band at ‘The Prospect’ from 7.00pm and a traditional Fish and Chip van will be on site with food available between 7.00pm – 9.00pm.
The event is free and everyone is invited to this very special occasion. So come along and dance the jive or sit and listen to the wonderful music whilst enjoying a portion of traditional fish and chips.
This will be followed by the Lighting of the Beacon at 9.30pm by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, Mr Edward Harley.
Staplow
The Oak Inn, Staplow, HR8 1NP
Thursday 8th May 7:30pm – 10:30pm
Celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day with an evening of music, community spirit and remembrance at The Oak Inn, Staplow. Families are invited to come in fancy dress and enjoy a warm, welcoming atmosphere filled with song, excitement, and memorable moments.
Enjoy 1940s-themed food served from 7:30pm to 8:30pm, followed by the lighting of the ‘Beacon of Peace’ and ‘Lamp Lights of Peace’ at 9:30pm in the beer garden.
To book or find out more, visit: www.theoakinnstaplow.co.uk
Yarpole
The Gallery Cafe, Yarpole
Thursday 8th May, from 10am
The cafe will be decked out with bunting and will host a day of forties music, special patriotic cakes and more.
St Leonard's Church, Yarpole
Thursday 8th May, 6.15pm/6.30pm
The church will be holding a time for quiet reflection and thanksgiving prayers prior to taking part in the nationwide ringing of church bells at 6.30pm.
The Bell at Yarpole
Thursday 8th May, 6pm onwards
Bonfire and BBQ event with traditional Morris dancing from 7pm with Jenny Pipes Morris
Explore the VE & VJ Day toolkit for a range of useful templates and materials.
Find out about planning a Big Lunch as part of The Great British Food Festival and get resources to support the event on the VE VJ Day 80 website.
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