How to experience London’s VE Day 80 celebrations this bank holiday

With a military procession, aerial flypast and historic pomp on show in the heart of London, here’s everything you need to know about where to go, how to get there, and what to expect

Eighty years after the end of the Second World War in Europe, London is preparing to mark the anniversary with a ceremonial procession and Armed Forces flypast in the heart of the capital. On Monday 5 May, crowds are expected to gather along Whitehall and The Mall to commemorate VE Day with a full-scale display of British pageantry and remembrance, culminating in an aerial tribute over Buckingham Palace. If you’re visiting from abroad — or travelling in from elsewhere in the UK — VE Day 80 is a rare opportunity to witness a national act of commemoration, staged with all the ceremonial flourish London does best.

Here’s how to make the most of it.

What’s happening and when

The official event begins at 12 noon with a short ceremony in Parliament Square – a historic setting surrounded by statues of Churchill, Gandhi and Mandela, and directly facing the Palace of Westminster. Expect big crowds, so get there early if you want a decent view. At 12:10pm, the formal procession sets off, passing through Whitehall – home to 10 Downing Street, the Cenotaph and the Cabinet Office – before heading up The Mall towards Buckingham Palace.

The procession will include ceremonial regiments in full dress, mounted cavalry, military bands, and young people from UK youth organisations, reflecting both remembrance and continuity.

Then at 1:45pm, the day is set to culminate in a military flypast, if weather and airspace conditions allow. If the skies stay clear, look out for formation flying and some iconic aircraft overhead.

Where to watch

This is a public event – there are no tickets, and no big screens – so if you want to see the action, you’ll need to position yourself along the route. Viewing areas will be open along both sides of Whitehall and The Mall, but once these reach capacity, they’ll be closed off, officials have confirmed. Stewards will also be in place to manage crowds and direct people to alternative spots. After the main parade has passed, The Mall may reopen to the public on foot. This stretch offers one of the clearest and most iconic vantage points for the flypast, with an open line of sight above the royal residence.

There will also be a dedicated accessible viewing area on the north side of The Mall, close to Trafalgar Square. This includes both raised and ground-level spots, firm surfaces, a hearing loop and facilities for assistance dogs. It’s also the only part of the route where folding chairs or stools are permitted.

How to get there and what to bring

Large parts of central London will be under crowd control, especially around Parliament Square, St James’s Park, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace. Roads will be closed, and some Tube stations may operate with limited entry or exit. The Underground is the easiest way in, but expect stations to be busier than usual. Recommended stops include:

• Charing Cross – for Whitehall and The Mall
• Green Park – step-free, with access to the Palace
• Victoria – step-free, and close to the southern end of The Mall
• Bond Street – another step-free option from Oxford Street
• Westminster – convenient for Parliament Square
• Embankment – for walking routes to Whitehall

Some stations may become exit-only as crowd levels rise. Use the TfL Go app for live updates, and be ready to change your route if advised. If you can, stay in town after the flypast to avoid the post-event rush.

This is a standing-only, outdoor event, so dress for the weather and come prepared. May in London can bring anything from sunshine to sudden showers. Wear layers, bring a waterproof, and choose comfortable shoes.

Security checks will be in place, so don’t bring:

• Glass bottles or jars
• Alcohol
• Barbecues or flame-based items
• Drones (strictly banned)
• Folding chairs (except in the accessible area)

Toilets, accessible loos, first aid points and water refill stations will be available along the route. There will be food kiosks, but if you have dietary needs, you may prefer to bring your own snacks – just stick to plastic or paper containers, not glass.

What else to see in London

Once the procession ends, crowds can walk down to the gates of Buckingham Palace. Credit: JR Bradbury/Pexels

Once the crowds begin to thin out, you’re in one of the best parts of London for exploring on foot. Within minutes of the route are several historic and cultural landmarks worth a visit:

• Westminster Abbey – steeped in royal and wartime history
• Churchill War Rooms – a unique look into Britain’s wartime leadership
• Trafalgar Square – home to the National Gallery and ideal for a post-event lunch
• St James’s Park and Green Park – perfect for a breather or a picnic
  
  

Main photo: Kevin Fairgrieve/Pixabay