Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has asked people across the UK to join in a national celebration next month for the 80th anniversary of VE Day. This historic day marks the end of World War Two in Europe, and the country will honour the brave men and women who fought for freedom with several special events.
To help everyone take part in the celebrations, the government has announced that pubs will be allowed to stay open later than usual on May 8. Normally, many pubs close around 11pm, but on this day, they can remain open until 1am. This change is meant to give people more time to come together, enjoy themselves, and raise a drink in honour of the veterans who served both at home and abroad during the war.
Speaking on social media, Sir Keir Starmer said the whole country should take the chance to reflect on the sacrifices of the wartime generation and enjoy the peace they helped secure. He said that allowing pubs to stay open longer will give everyone a chance to gather, celebrate, and remember.
VE Day this year will be marked by four days of celebrations, starting with the Early May Bank Holiday on May 5. There will be concerts, street parties, and other public events happening all over the UK. In London, the Cenotaph war memorial will be decorated with flags, and the Tower of London will feature a display of ceramic poppies called *Blood Swept Lands and Sea of Red*, an art piece originally created in 2014 to remember British involvement in World War One.
On the day itself, King Charles and other senior royals will appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a Red Arrows fly-past. However, the government has confirmed that there won’t be an extra Bank Holiday for VE Day.
Sir Keir Starmer added that this is a time for the nation to come together, to think about the great sacrifices made during the war, and to celebrate the peace and freedom that resulted. Keeping the pubs open later is just one way to help make that happen.
Extending pub hours for national celebrations isn’t new. The same thing was done during the Euro 2024 final between England and Spain, and also during the Royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018.
Emma McClarkin, head of the British Beer and Pub Association, said this anniversary is a powerful moment for the country. She described pubs as the “nation’s second home” and said they’re the perfect place for communities to come together. The extra hours, she said, will give people more time to honour veterans, celebrate peace, and enjoy the day with others.
