Guildford to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day with special events
Flag raising ceremony
At 9am, a special flag-raising ceremony will be held at the Guildhall in Guildford.
A VE Day proclamation by the Town Crier will mark the official start of the day's commemorations.
We'll also be raising VE80 flags at other council sites, including Millmead, Stoke Park, and Guildford Castle.
Church bells
As part of the nationwide celebrations, church bells will ring out across the borough. This will take place at 6.30pm, in a symbolic act of remembrance and unity.
Evening celebration
From 8pm, you're invited to join VIP guests for an evening of music, speeches and refreshments in Stoke Park.
At 9:30pm, we'll light a beacon with Flames of Peace. This will be accompanied by a short ceremony and performance of the traditional hymn "I Vow to Thee, My Country".
Leader of the Council, Cllr Julia McShane says:
"This shared moment of celebration and reflection will remind us of the 80 years of peace that our nation has experienced since the end of World War II in Europe.
Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Stephen Hives, added:
"We encourage people to join together and stand with us in gratitude to those men and women who secured our freedom all those years ago.
"May we never forget their sacrifice."
The commemorations will continue beyond VE Day, including the launch of Armed Forces Week on Sunday 22 June. A flag-raising ceremony for Armed Forces Day will take place at the Guildhall on Monday 23 June.
Road closure application fees waived for community street parties
If you're holding a street party to celebrate this historic occasion, we're waiving road closure fees.
No fee applies from Saturday 3 May to Sunday 11 May.
Organisers still need to apply online for a road closure
Apply before 5pm on Sunday 6 April 2025.
We hope this initiative will encourage communities to come together to mark the occasion in a fitting and inclusive way.
Join us for these events
Let's come together as a community to:
- reflect on the sacrifices made 80 years ago
- celebrate the peace and freedom we enjoy today
Published on 20 March 2025.