Leicester will mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day this week with a series of commemorative events, featuring vintage music, patriotic bunting, and the sound of church bells.
Tomorrow (Thursday, 8 May), Town Hall Square will serve as the heart of the celebrations. The square will be decked out with bunting, flags, and floral displays. A commemorative book will be available at the Town Hall from 10am to 5pm, where visitors can leave messages of gratitude to those who served during the Second World War. Classic wartime songs—such as Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again—will play throughout the day, creating a nostalgic atmosphere. In the evening, the Town Hall will be illuminated in tribute.
Leicester Cathedral will hold a special evening service at 5.30pm, open to the public and attended by dignitaries including the Lord Mayor and the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire. The service will conclude with a traditional bell-ringing ceremony.
Across the city, libraries and museums will join in the remembrance by showcasing wartime memorabilia, historical resources, and personal stories from the 1940s. The Story of Leicester website has launched a dedicated VE80 page, featuring photographs, memories, and voices from the University of Leicester’s oral history archive. A new digital walking tour also highlights the city’s wartime heritage, including memorials and historical panels.
At the Central Library on Bishop Street, the Media Archive for Central England (MACE) will present rare archival footage depicting life in Leicester and Leicestershire during WWII. The screening, titled Leicester on Film: 1939–45, begins at 7pm on Thursday. Entry is free, but advance booking is required through the library.
Councillor Vi Dempster, Assistant City Mayor for Leisure and Culture, said: “The last major VE and VJ Day anniversaries in 2020 took place during the Covid pandemic, meaning most events had to be held virtually.
That’s why this year’s 80th anniversary feels particularly meaningful—we can finally bring the spirit of VE Day into the city and celebrate together.”
For more stories and personal recollections of VE Day in Leicester, visit:
? https://www.storyofleicester.info/city-stories/ve80-victory-in-europe-day-80th-anniversary
