Abbey celebrates VE Day anniversary with summer events season
Thursday, 3rd April 2025
Beyond Victory, a season of special events at Westminster Abbey, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE - or Victory in Europe - Day.
Running throughout May and June, the season of talks, tours, workshops and family events will look at life beyond victory, reflecting on the legacy of conflict and how societies are rebuilt.
The Abbey has played a central role in marking VE Day. On the day itself, in May 1945, services of thanksgiving were held every hour, attended by an estimated 25,000 people.
The anniversary has been celebrated regularly since then, and a special service at the Abbey on 8th May will once again bring the nation together to honour and pay tribute to the Second World War generation.
Beyond Victory season highlights include:
An Evening with Sir Max Hastings: Commemoration and Remembrance
British journalist and historian Sir Max Hastings draws on his extensive research into the history of war to underscore why remembrance is vital. Set against the poignant backdrop of Westminster Abbey's memorials, which honour the bravery and sacrifice of British and Commonwealth service personnel, Sir Max will illuminate the significance of these sites of reflection. He will share the varied experiences of those who have witnessed conflict first hand, emphasizing the invaluable lessons we can learn from their lives.
This event being held in support of The King Charles III Sacristy. All the money raised through ticket sales at this event will go towards this project which will transform the way that we welcome visitors to the Abbey.
Abbey Late: Beyond Victory
Wednesday 4th June from 5:30pm
Unwind after hours with an Abbey Late evening of dance, crafts, and history. Swing Dance UK will bring the spirit of 1945 alive in the garth garden, teaching you to swing and jive just like they did during the Second World War. Discover inspiring wartime stories of resilience and recovery, and find serenity creating origami cranes amidst twilight-lit memorials.
Beyond Victory: Westminster Walking Tour
Selected dates in May at June at 11:00am
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Westminster's poignant commemorative landscape with Blue Badge Guide Katie Wignall from Look Up London. In this reflective 90-minute walk, uncover the hidden stories behind memorials and monuments that reveal the far-reaching impact of the Second World War on Britain and the global empire. Discover how the Blitz reshaped Westminster Abbey and nearby landmarks into symbols of resilience and remembrance, offering a compelling exploration of history and wartime legacy. At the end of the tour, participants will have the opportunity to take a self-guided visit of Westminster Abbey.
Beyond Victory: Drawing Workshop
Experience a one-of-a-kind drawing workshop with Artist Reporter George Butler, set in the serene and historic St Catherine’s Chapel Garden at Westminster Abbey. With 15 years of expertise sketching conflict zones worldwide, George brings a unique perspective on capturing destruction and the stories behind it. Explore the ruins of a 12th-century chapel, revealed after Second World War damage, in the normally private garden, and enjoy self-guided drawing inside the Abbey to start the session.
Beyond Victory panel: Destruction, Restoration and Commemoration
Be part of an enlightening conversation held in partnership with the V&A's Culture in Crisis programme, uncovering the stories of recovery and resilience at religious sites impacted by war. From the bombs of the Second World War that scarred Westminster Abbey and St Margaret’s Church to devastating damage inflicted in modern-day conflicts, a panel of experts will share insights on how sacred spaces commemorate wartime destruction and continue to inspire their communities.
Lunchtime Talk: The People’s Victory
Historian Professor Lucy Noakes delves into the public emotions that surfaced with the end of the war in Europe. She explores the deep grief felt by many for their lost loved ones, while also highlighting the hopes and anxieties of a nation in the midst of profound change.
Lunchtime Talk: Remembering the Second World War
Author and historian Keith Lowe examines how we remember the Second World War, 80 years after its conclusion. With a focus on the monuments and memorials in and around Westminster Abbey, Lowe will reveal how concepts of heroism, martyrdom, and resurrection have shaped British memory, and how these narratives have evolved over time.
Beyond Victory Exhibition: 80 years of Christian Aid
Monday 26th May – Friday 20th June
Celebrate 80 years of Christian Aid’s extraordinary impact with this moving photographic exhibition. Founded in 1945 by British and Irish churches to support refugees amidst the devastation of post-war Europe, the charity has tirelessly fought poverty in the years since. This exhibition highlights some of its most inspiring moments, powerful stories of hope, resilience, and justice over eight decades of transformative work.
Booking
Find out more about the Beyond Victory season and how to book tickets.
Further reading
Abbey joins nation to mark 80th anniversary of VE Day
