How to watch the VE Day 80 concert and follow VE Day 80th anniversary coverage across the BBC

The BBC is marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a wide-ranging slate of special programming across television, radio, online and archive and reporting from BBC News.

As a finale to nationwide VE Day 80 celebrations, a spectacular live concert will also bring together music, storytelling, and tributes in a moving salute to those who served and sacrificed during World War II.

When is VE Day 80?

The 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) takes place on Thursday 8 May 2025.

Programming on the day includes The Nation Remembers on BBC One and iPlayer from 10.45am, and a spectacular live concert VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember on BBC One and iPlayer from 8pm. 

On BBC Sounds, Vernon Kay is also your host for a special concert from Alexandra Palace Theatre in VE Day 80 – A Swinging Celebration.

Here are all the details.

How to watch VE Day 80 on BBC TV

VE Day 80: The Nation Remembers

Thursday 8 May, 10.45am - BBC One and BBC iPlayer

The VE Day 80 celebrations continue at Westminster Abbey with a service of thanksgiving paying tribute to the service and sacrifice of the Second World War generation. Petroc Trelawny will provide commentary from inside Westminster Abbey and invited guests will share their memories.

From the BBC’s studio in St James’s Park, Sophie Raworth will be joined by special guests, talking about their experiences of the war years.

VE Day 80: The Nation Pays Tribute

Monday 5 May - BBC iPlayer

The first day of the VE Day 80 celebrations started with a live broadcast on BBC One and iPlayer of the military procession that took place in London.

Sophie Raworth presented from St James’s Park in London, together with reporters along the route. Paddy O’Connell, whose father served during the Second World War provided commentary on the event.

• Watch VE Day 80: The Nation Pays Tribute on BBC iPlayer

How to watch the VE Day 80 Concert

VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember

Thursday 8 May, 8pm - BBC One and BBC iPlayer

A spectacular live concert will mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day from 8pm to 10pm on BBC One and iPlayer. Broadcast live from the iconic Horse Guards Parade in London, this unforgettable evening is presented by Zoe Ball.

The star-studded lineup features performances from the most fabulous voices paying their tribute by performing on this wonderful stage, including Samantha Barks, Fleur East, John Newman, Victor Ray, Freya Ridings, Keala Settle alongside renowned cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Calum Scott, The Darkness, Toploader, Tom Walker, and the legendary classical singer Sir Willard White.

The dazzling Strictly Come Dancing professionals: Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu, Karen Hauer, Neil Jones, Lauren Oakley, and Kai Widdrington, will also bring the stage to life with breathtaking choreography to accompany Fleur East's spectacular opening to the concert.

In addition to the musical performances, the concert will showcase appearances from a host of award winning performers. Dames Joan Collins, Mary Berry, and Sheila Hancock will lend their voices to the commemoration, while celebrated actor Brian Cox will deliver a powerful reenactment of Winston Churchill’s iconic wartime speech.

• Read more - VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember live from Horse Guards Parade

How to listen to VE Day 80 on BBC Radio

VE Day 80 – A Swinging Celebration

Sunday 11 May, 8pm - BBC Radio 2 (available on BBC Sounds from Thursday 8 May)

Vernon Kay is your host for a special concert from the Alexandra Palace Theatre featuring the BBC Big Band and the strings of the BBC Concert Orchestra directed by Mike Lovatt.

• Listen to VE Day 80 – A Swinging Celebration on BBC Sounds 

Plus, available on BBC Sounds as part of Radio 2's commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, Dermot O'Leary hosts a Sounds of the 40s Special Playlist. Highlighting the music, movies and memories as Allies enjoyed the celebrations that were erupting around the world, with archive and anecdotes, Dermot takes us back to VE Day on 8 May, 1945.

Special programming for VE Day 80

We're marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a wide-ranging slate of special programming this month. Including special editions of BBC Breakfast, Morning Live, The One Show, Antiques Roadshow, The Repair Shop, EastEnders and lots more.

• Read more: BBC to mark 80th Anniversary of VE Day