VE Day Celebrations in Northamptonshire

Communities across West Northamptonshire are commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, marking the end of World War II in Europe on 8 May 1945.

Communities across West Northamptonshire are coming together to mark 80 years since Victory in Europe Day – the moment World War II ended in Europe on 8 May 1945. This Thursday is a chance to remember the incredible bravery of those who fought for freedom, and the resilience shown by communities through the war years.

There’ll be special events taking place all week in Northampton and nearby towns and villages, bringing people together to reflect, remember, and celebrate peace, eighty years on from that historic day.

Town centre events

• West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) will be flying the official VE Day flag at its offices in Daventry and Towcester, while a short flag-raising ceremony will take place at 9am on Thursday 8 May outside the Guildhall in Northampton, where the public is invited to attend.
• One Angel Square and Northampton Market Square will be illuminated as part of the national Beacon Lighting Ceremony at 9.30pm.

Libraries, museum and beacon lightings

Beacon lightings

• Brackley Town Park: Celebrations end with a beacon lighting at 9.15pm on Thursday 8 May 2025

Libraries and museums

• Brackley Library: VE Day display on May 8 with books, crafts, and a story session for under 5s from 10am to 10.30am
• Brixworth Library: A VE Day window display will light up the library
• Daventry and Northampton Museums: VE Day themes in their displays
• Deanshanger Library: Decorate the library on May 7 from 10am to 1pm. VE Day crafts on May 9 from 3.30pm to 4.30pm
• Duston Library: Working with the local historical society to mark VE Day and Community History Month
• Hunsbury Library: VE Day crafts on May 3 and May 10 from 10am to midday. Play a wartime game, design a cake, create an evacuation suitcase, and make bunting
• Northampton Central Library: Mini Makers - VE Day Special on May 3 at 2.30pm. Make paper Spitfire gliders and design medals
• Towcester Library: VE Day display on May 8 with a 1940s living room, arts and crafts, Cream Teas at Chatty Café, and a school visit to make Peace Lanterns and Paper Hats
• Weston Favell Library: VE Day crafts on May 10 from 10am to midday. Make a Spitfire model and design a war medal

Other events

• Cold Higham and Pattishall: Wartime Britain exhibition on May 9 at Cold Higham Parish Hall
• Northampton Town and County Club: VE Day inspired menu at George's Tea Room
• Old Savoy Theatre, Northampton: Spirit of the Blitz show on May 15 from 1.30pm to 4pm
• Tove Benefice, Towcester: Bell ringing on May 8
• Towcester Mill Brewery: Talk on 'Life after VE Day 1945' by Philomena Liggins on May 8 at 7.30pm
• Wootton Village: Celebratory event on May 8 at 8pm

Road closures for street parties / VE celebrations

• Saturday May 3

Main Street, Denton

10:00 - 17:00

• Sunday May 4

Woodland Avenue Northampton

08:30 - 18:00

Kingswell Road Northampton

12:00 - 22:00

High Street, Silverstone

13:00 - 19:00

• Monday May 5

High Street, West Haddon

11:00 - 17:00

Lowick Court Moulton

12:00 - 19:00

• Thursday May 8

Church Street, Nether Heyford

Remembrance parade

10:30 - 12:00

Church End, Piddington

20:30 - 22:00

VE celebrations and fireworks

High Street, Brackley

09:00 - 22:30

• Saturday May 10

The Green, Newnham

13:00 - 23:00

• Sunday May 11

Trevor Crescent, Northampton

12:30 - 19:30

Vicarage Hill, Badby

12:00 - 17:00