VE Day 2025: Your Guide to Celebrations Across Bristol and the West Country

From parades to street parties, here’s everything you need to know about how Bristol and the West Country are marking VE Day this year.

Transcript

00:00This year marks 80 years since Victory in Europe Day, better known as VE Day,

00:06and people across Bristol and the West Country are being encouraged to

00:11celebrate the historic occasion with street parties and community events.

00:16From the 5th to the 8th of May, towns and cities will join in nationwide

00:21commemorations including a special flypast, a national concert and a

00:25remembrance survey at Westminster Abbey. Local councils are encouraging

00:29residents to apply for street closure permissions as early as possible, with

00:35several authorities like Gloucester, Bath and North East Somerset waiving their

00:40usual fees to encourage celebrations. Somerset Council has planned events

00:46including a flag raising ceremony and reef laying in Taunton, as well as a

00:52civic service at the Minster. Bristol City Hall will be lit in red, white and

00:57blue and street parties will take place across the city on the bank holiday

01:01weekend. Aerospace Bristol Museum is offering special wartime tours

01:06showcasing historic aircraft and even opening a newly restored air raid

01:11shelter. Across Wiltshire, communities like Royal Wootton Bassett will host

01:16live music, food stalls and a funfair to celebrate. It's hoped the weekend will

01:22help communities reconnect, reflect and celebrate together. Organisers say it's

01:27an ideal moment to hear veteran stories firsthand, preserving their memories for

01:32future generations. Well it looks like there's going to be some really super

01:37things happening across our part of the world and I certainly hope you're able

01:41to join in the celebrations.