Residents and community groups are encouraged to host street parties to mark the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day.
Oxford City Council is waiving the road closure charge to encourage residents and community groups to host street parties marking the 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe (VE) Day and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, commemorating the end of the Second World War.
A national programme of events will take place across the UK, including a military procession, flypast, and street parties on Monday 5th May, a remembrance service at Westminster Abbey on Thursday 8th May, and a national service at the National Memorial Arboretum on Friday 15th August.
Celebrating in Oxford
Community celebrations will take place on Bank Holiday Monday 5th May, when millions across the UK are expected to join in the “Great British Food Festival” to celebrate 80 years of peace.
Local events include:
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Sunday 27th April - 10.30am service at St Michael at the North Gate church on Cornmarket Street. The church also contains Oxford’s Honour Rolls with the names of soldiers from Oxford who fell in WW1 and WW2.
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Thursday 8th May (VE Day anniversary) - The Union flag will fly over the Town Hall and from Carfax Tower. The Carfax Tower bells will ring out at 6.30pm. A beacon will also be lit at Blenheim Palace to mark the occasion at 9.30pm.
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Saturday 10th May - The Bicester Military Wives Choir will perform to commemorate VE Day on both St Michael’s Street and in the Covered Market, at lunchtime.
Getting involved
The City Council is now accepting applications for street parties (for small community events) on Bank Holiday Monday 5th May in the spirit of the 1945 celebrations.
Oxford residents and community groups interested in holding a street party should read the guidance on our website.
Applications must be submitted no later than Monday 7th April 2025.
The City Council has waived the road closure charge for small community events (£18). However, fees for large and commercial events, as well as events selling alcohol, will remain in place.
For more information, please visit the City Council’s Street Parties webpage.
Residents can also visit the official VE/VJ Day gov.uk website for downloadable resources, event listings and funding opportunities.
“The 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day are an important opportunity for us to come together to honour the bravery and sacrifice of the wartime generation.
VE Day is a defining moment in our history, and this may be one of the last opportunities we have to thank the surviving veterans, so we should celebrate them in style.
Gathering with our neighbours and local communities to share food, drink and stories will always be a very special thing to do. By waiving the road closure charge for small street parties, we want to make it as easy as possible for people to take part.
If you’re thinking about hosting a street party, please get in touch, and we’ll help make sure that you have what you need to create a fantastic community event here in Oxford to celebrate 80 years of peace.”
Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Mike Rowley
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