How VE Day is being celebrated across Kent
Today the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day is being celebrated across Kent.
VE Day commemorates the surrender of Germany’s armed forces in World War II.
From church services and lighting the beacon to afternoon tea and live music, how are areas in Kent celebrating this anniversary?
Stagecoach is marking the day with an initiative for free bus travel for serving military, veterans and cadets across Kent and East Sussex today.
Canterbury
Canterbury Cathedral has a number of events for this year’s VE Day celebration including the Choral Evensong at 5:30pm, which includes the lighting of the VE Day Lamp Light of Peace. The cathedral will also join other church bells in the area at 6:30pm, ringing out in celebration of peace.
The cathedral will also host several tours based on World War II throughout the day.
The Canterbury Book of Remembrance will also be on display throughout May, including the names of 121 civilians who died in the city in World War II.
Thanet
Church bells across Thanet will also join in the united celebration. Ringing the church bells at 6:30pm, and lighting the beacons at 9:30pm.
Westgate-on-Sea Town Council are hosting a war memorial service this morning with refreshments on St Mildreds Road from 12pm and lighting the beacons on Royal Esplanade green at 9:30pm.
In Margate, the Warpole Bay Hotel is hosting a victorious afternoon tea between 12pm-5pm, lighting their beacons at the same time in Fort Crescent.
Ramsgate tunnels will open their doors at 7:30pm, with live music to commemorate the 80th anniversary.
Whitstable
The Marine Hotel in Whitstable is hosting an afternoon tea between 2pm-5pm to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
St. Alphege Church will also participate in the bell ringing at 6:30pm, as well as the lighting of the beacon on Duncan Downs at 8:15pm.
Ashford
To learn more about Ashford’s history in World War II, the Ashford Gateway Building is hosting tours around Chilmington’s wartime stories until 4pm today.
Street parties are also encouraged as a way for communities to come together, with Ashford Borough Council’s website saying: “Even though Thursday 8 May 2025 is not a public holiday, communities are encouraged to come together and celebrate, where possible, with them holding parties of celebration throughout the day.”
Ashford’s memorial beacon will be lit in Civic Park, Tannery Lane with the Mayor of Ashford reading the VE Day 80th tribute.