Victory in Europe Day 2025

Find out what Medway is doing to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Medway Council has partnered with various organisations to commemorate this historic occasion. This collaboration honours WWII veterans and civilians, highlighting Medway's naval, military, and cultural contributions while promoting community unity and intergenerational connection.

Flag raising

On Thursday, 8 May 2025 Medway Council will Medway Council will proudly raise Victory Day flags at Rochester Castle, Gun Wharf, and the Royal Engineers Museum to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. A Peace Poem, commissioned by a local artist in collaboration with Medway residents, will be read during this event. Additionally, a ceremonial event will be held at the Royal Engineers Museum to honour our fallen soldiers. Please note this event will not be open to the public.

The Royal Engineers Museum will be open to the public and free to enter between 2pm to 5pm on Thursday, 8 May for family activities, music and more.

Additionally, a large Union Flag will be displayed at Rochester Castle to commemorate the event.

Beacon Lighting for Victory in Europe Day

On Thursday, 8 May at 9:30pm, watch as searchlights illuminate the sky across Medway in a stunning tribute to the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Unlike traditional fire beacons, these powerful beams can be seen from up to 4.5 miles away.

Want to mark the occasion with others? Join one of the beacon lighting events listed below.

Slough Fort - 7pm to 10pm on Thursday, 8 May - Free to attend

Celebrate VE Day with 1940s music from the Peninsula Big Band, a bugler’s Last Post, and beacon lighting at 9:30pm. Enjoy food, a bar, and vintage military vehicles. Make sure to dress in 1940s style to embrace the era!

After the beacon, live musket fire will salute those who served. Don’t miss this special evening of history and remembrance! Find out more.

Hoo Beacon Lighting - Kingshill Recreation Ground in Hoo - Thursday, 8 May from 7:45pm - Free to attend

Enjoy an evening of heartfelt tributes and celebrations featuring music by the City of Rochester Pipe Band, a Parade of Veterans, and a beacon lighting ceremony with tributes from 9:30pm.

Hoo VE Day Fete - Pottery Road Recreation Ground - Saturday, 10 May, 1:30pm to 6pm

Join us for live entertainment, delicious food, games and lots more! And at 7pm, join us for a Disco Event at Hoo Village Hall! Please note, disco attendance must be pre-booked. To book email [email protected]

Rochester Cathedral

Celebrations in Rochester - Parade and Cathedral Service

Join us on Rochester High Street at 4:50pm on Thursday, 8 May for a military parade to mark this special occasion. The parade will begin at Almon Place, from where the Royal Engineers, veterans and cadets will march to the war memorial.

Rochester Cathedral is marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a special service beginning at 5:30pm. There will be wreath laying following the service. The service is open to the public but is expected to be very busy. Please arrive early to guarantee a seat.

The bells will ring for “Together We Chime - Let the Nation’s Bells Ring Loud!” after the wreath laying. Our spire will be lit in red, white and blue to commemorate this historic anniversary.

Other Events

Fort Amherst's World War II Experience

From Monday, 28 April to Monday, 5 May, Fort Amherst will host WW2-themed tours and activities. Highlights include themed tours, an exhibition of "Then and Now" images, and WW2-themed catering and music. Local school children will also contribute celebratory bunting designs.

On Monday, 5 May, Fort Amherst will be hosting a VE Day Knees Up, celebrating like it's 1945! Events are ticketed. Find out more here.

Victory in Europe at the Guildhall Museum - WWII Storytelling

Sat, 10 May, Sat, 17 May, Fri, 30 May, Thurs, 14 Aug and Fri, 15 Aug

11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE day, learn about life during the war in Rochester with our historical interpreter. See ordinary household items from the War years and hear some wartime tales of real local families.

Admission Fees Apply.

Half Term Family Crafts and VE/VJ Day Bunting at the Guildhall Museum

Tues, 27 May to Fri, 30 May, 10am to 4pm

Help make VE day bunting to commemorate VJ day in August.

Guildhall Museum

Victory in Europe Day Party in 1945, Gillingham

Street Parties

Lower Stoke Car Park - Saturday, 10 May, 1pm to 4pm

Enjoy a VE Day Street party featuring children's entertainment, party food, cream teas, a petting corner, 'special visitors' from the Grain Coast Crafty Alpacas farm, soft play equipment, old-fashioned street games, an ice cream van and a live DJ.

Street Parties in Medway

There will be 13 street parties all across Medway to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Other Projects

Intra Community Trust Poppy Trail (Blooming Intra Event, 5–11 May) – Spot hand-drawn poppies in windows across the community. Find out how to get involved.
Eco Hub Fair (Blooming Intra Event, Saturday, 10 May at Chatham Unitarian Church, 11am - 3pm) – A make-do-and-mend themed fair celebrating sustainability. Find out more.
Medway African and Caribbean Association, the Sunlight Centre, Tuesday 6th May 1-4pm - VE day Commonwealth themed tea for residents aged 65+
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust and Nucleus Arts, supported by Medway Council, will display 11,000 handcrafted crochet poppies at the National Destroyer Memorial. HMS CAVALIER, preserved at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, stands as a memorial to the 142 Royal Navy destroyers and 11,000 men lost during WWII. The poppy installation will be unveiled at the Salute to the '40s festival in September and remain until Armistice Day. We invite the community to help craft these poppies. Find out more.
Rubbish Idea -Kieran Poole is an eco-artist who makes mosaics and murals using littered plastic bottle lids and ring-pulls. He will be creating a large mural of a Spitfire which will displayed from Tuesday, 6 May for a week at the Royal Engineers Museum. He will also be running a two-hour free workshop as part of the Royal Engineers celebration event on Saturday, 8 May where participants will be able to make small spitfire mosaics.
Brook Theatre in Wartime - Free Exhibition from Tuesday, 6 to Sunday, 18 May at Chatham Library. Originally Chatham Town Hall, the Brook was a focal point for wartime planning, community support and VE day celebrations. The display includes books you can borrow on WW2 and local history and complements the 'Songs and Scones' event at Chatham Library on Friday, 9 May.
Short Brothers Aircraft Manufacturers in Wartime - Short Brothers Aviation Heritage CIC will be sharing fascinating facts about Shorts innovative aircraft design and their incredible contribution to WW2 including their Sunderland flying boats and Stirling bombers made in Rochester. Meet them at Rochester Artisan Market on Saturday, 10 May.
Rainham Window Displays - Artist Nikki Whelan will be decorated four shop windows in Rainham Town Centre with beautiful designs commemorating VE Day. You will find these artworks at:
- Xpressions, 37 Rainham Shopping Centre
- Sunburst Books, 21-23 Station Road
- Lottie’s Locks, 39 High Street
- Just Cutts, 13 Rainham Shopping Centre
The artworks will be up for VE day on Thursday, 8 May.