VE Day schedule: Full timings for the day's events and celebrations

Celebrations kick off tomorrow morning!
Emily Lawford7 May 2020

The 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day is almost here, and despite the lockdown, there are many ways people can celebrate at home.

On May 8, 1945 Londoners took to the streets and packed Trafalgar Square to celebrate Victory in Europe Day.

The British public sang songs and celebrated the end of six years of war.

While many celebrations planned for the 75th anniversary have had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis, others have adapted and are going ahead.

Victory in Europe: VE Day - In pictures

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Here is a list of planned events to mark 75 years since VE Day 2020 that will take place online and at home.

11am - Two-minute silence

At 11am, a two-minute silence will be held to honour the wartime generation, and to reflect on the impact Covid-19 has had on people across the world.

11.15am - Royal British Legion livestream

Royal British Legion’s (RBL) VE Day 75 Livestream will bring together generations from World War Two and today to discuss their shared experiences.

The 45-minute programme will be hosted by TV presenter Sonali Shah, featuring stories from those who served in the War, and workers in the fight against coronavirus today.

2.45pm - Winston Churchill’s Victory Speech

On BBC One Sophie Raworth will present a commemoration of Winston Churchill’s 8 May 1945 Downing Street victory speech, in which he addressed the country to announce the Nazis’ surrender and the end of the war in Europe. The programme will play a recording of the speech in full, alongside personal testimony read by well-known public figures who recall the VE Day celebrations, and music performed by the military.

3pm - Toast to heroes of World War Two

At 3pm people are encouraged to go out to their doorsteps, raise a glass, and cheer and clap, saying: “To those who gave so much, we thank you.”

8pm - VE Day 75: The People's Celebration

BBC One is hosting a musical celebration to replace live events and street parties planned to mark the day. In partnership with British Legion, Sophie Raworth will present the show, and stars will perform versions of well-known songs from the 30’s and 40’s, such as Bluebirds Over The White Cliffs Of Dover and When The Lights Go On Again.

The show's line-up includes Katherine Jenkins, Adrian Lester, Anton Du Beke, Shane Richie, Emma Barton, Beverley Knight, Helen George and Sharon D Clarke. World War Two veterans will share memories of the war interspersed throughout the show.

9pm - Address by the Queen

A pre-recorded speech by the Queen will be broadcast at 9pm, the exact time her father, King George VI, gave a radio address on May 8 1945.

After the Queen's address - We’ll Meet Again sing-along

The British public are invited to come together to sing along after the Queen’s speech to Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again, broadcast on BBC One.

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