Full details of Plymouth Hoe events for VE Day 80, Thursday May 8 2025
Plymouth played a crucial role during World War II, serving of course as a major naval base and embarkation point for troops.
The city endured significant bombing damage during the Blitz. And VE Day (the day celebrating the formal acceptance by the Allies of Germany's unconditional surrender) marked a moment of relief and celebration across the city.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of that momentous day, and a programme of events is taking place on Plymouth Hoe, and elswhere around the city.
Here is our guide - send us an email if you'd like your party or commemoration listed (and sent to our hundreds of email subscribers).
The Hoe
The day begins at 10.30am with a flag-raising ceremony, followed by a Full Parade of Standards and a Royal Navy Guard. This is then followed by a gun fire at 11am from the Royal Citadel.
Entertainment starts from 11.30am and runs until 5pm, with picnic benches, stalls, entertainment, and Commonwealth Wargraves Tours and vintage vehicles.
As the evening unfolds, a concert will begin at 5.30pm.
The day culminates with a Sunset Guard ceremony and the lighting of the Beacon at 8.40pm, a poignant moment to reflect on the significance of VE Day.
Evening Concert Programme:
5.45pm - 6.45pm | Sultans of The Swing Band
7pm - 8.15pm | Dave Hankin Big Band
8.55pm - 9.15pm | Dave Hankin Big Band Encore
There will be some catering units on site and the Promenade Café and Liner Lookout will be open as usual. There are Public Toilets by the Promenade Café (Ramp End) of the Hoe and some temporary facilities at the Elliot Terrace End of the Hoe.
Remembering Victory VE Day 80 at The Box
A special pop-up display will commemorate the occasion. The display is open on Saturday 10 May and will include images from the archives and selected items from the costume collection including their 'Dig for Victory' dress.
Commemoration at Mount Edgcumbe
The ceremony will take place at Barn Pool at 10.45am, with a 2 minute silence at 11am marked by the firing of field artillery.
Special VE day deals, 1940’s music and a large screen showing historical coverage.
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