VE Day 80 is coming up at the beginning of next month, and Manchester is set to commemorate it with a full day of celebrations.
Victory in Europe (VE Day) – which takes place on 8 May each year, and marks the Allied victory in Europe – resulted in millions celebrating the end of the war in 1945, with street parties, dancing and singing all across the country.
And now, 80 years later, similar events and celebrations are set to take place across the UK.
As well as the planned commemorations set to take place over four days at the start of May that were already previously announced by the Government early last month, Manchester will too be paying tribute to the ‘courage, determination, and sacrifices’ made throughout the conflict with its own set of local events.
Celebrate VE Day 80 by hosting a street party for your community.
Apply for a free road closure for your street on Monday 5 May 2025.
The deadline to apply is 5pm on Saturday 12 April 2025.
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) April 4, 2025
Street parties were a common sight back in 1945, where communities came out in force to share the collective joy that the war was over, and now, 80 years on, Manchester City Council is encouraging the people of Manchester to do the same.
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Councillors want locals get the bunting out, bake a Victoria sponge, and celebrate with a street party of their own.
To help facilitate this, during the bank holiday on Monday 5 May, the usual £159 fee for a street closure will be waived by the Council – with a dedicated web page set up to manage people’s applications.
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Manchester is marking VE Day 80 with a full day of ‘meaningful’ celebrations next month / Credit: Jason Garcia (via Flickr) | Becky Fantham (via Unsplash)
All street party applications need to be made by 5pm on 12 April.
On top of these local community events, a range of civic events will also be taking place too, with a reception hosted by the Lord Mayor welcoming veterans and dignitaries to Central Library, as well as an evensong at Manchester Cathedral, followed by a celebratory ringing of the bells.
Residents, businesses, and local education establishments are also encouraged to create pieces of art to hang in their windows, make their own unique commemorative bunting, and so much more to show their appreciation.
“The 80th anniversary of VE Day provides us a valuable opportunity to remember and reflect on the immense sacrifices which were made to ensure that tyranny in Europe was ultimately defeated,” commented Councillor Bev Craig, who is the leader of Manchester City Council.
“As the decades go on, and the Second World War moves further from living memory, it makes it more important than ever that younger generations learn the lessons of history and keep alive the spirit of those who served our country.
“I am immensely proud to lead the Council during such a meaningful occasion and I would invite all Mancunians to join me in celebration of VE Day 80 this May.”
Featured Image – Travis Leery (via Unsplash)
What's On
Manchester’s smash-hit Pitbull 5km run is back in town this week
Daisy Jackson
A 5km running event where participants dress up as Pitbull is returning to Manchester this week.
Runners will be donning bald caps, drawing on goatees, and shrugging on their suit jackets as they hit the streets for a very silly run.
The Pitbull Party Run has been organised again this year by Slow Run Club, and Run the Street MCR, who’ll be spurring runners on with plenty of daftness inspired by the man himself.
It’s part of a series of shakeout events taking place all week before the 24-Hour Run Against Homelessness.
The 5km shake-out run will be soundtracked by non-stop Pitbull party anthems from warm-up all the way through the run to the cool-down.
Last year’s event proved to be a massive hit and had dozens of Pitbull look-a-likes running through the streets – so now they’re hoping to make it even bigger for this year.
Runners will meet outside The Tap House in Circle Square from 6.30pm for a warm-up, ready to run from 7pm.
And all participants will get a free Lucky Saint beer to celebrate finishing the race.
24-Hour Run founder Thomas Lewis said: “We’ve got a great programme of events lined up across Greater Manchester.
“These shakeout events are all about bringing local running communities together while spreading the word about the 24-Hour Run Against Homelessness in November.
“The Pitbull party run got a great reception last year, and we’re delighted to be teaming up with Run The Streets MCR and Slow Run Club to put on this event again.”
The Manchester 24-Hour Run Against Homelessness is a charity relay challenge that invites runners of all abilities to take part in a continuous 24-hour relay made up of a 5km loop repeated throughout the 24 hours.
Runners can join for as little or as much as they like, whether it’s one lap or 20. The event takes place from midday on Wednesday 11 November to midday Thursday 12 November.
The 24-Hour Run supports the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity’s A Bed Every Night scheme, and last year saw cumulative distance of over 16,000 km covered and raised over £70,000 for the charity.
Tickets for the Pitbull Party Run are £3, which all goes to the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity to support The Manchester 24 Hour Run’s goal of £100,000.
Tickets officially go on sale for rare 70mm IMAX screenings of Dune: Part Three in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Tickets have now officially gone on sale for rare 70mm IMAX screenings of Dune: Part Three in Manchester.
Arriving on screens from 18 December and gearing up to be one of the most anticipated films of the year, Dune: Part Three – which is the third and final instalment in director Denis Villeneuve’s Dune franchise – will be screening in IMAX 70mm at Vue Manchester Printworks, one of only three venues to show it in this format nationwide.
There are only 40 other venues across the globe showing the film in IMAX 70mm, and Manchester is the only city outside of London to screen the blockbuster this way too.
Based on the novels of Frank Herbert and set nearly two decades after the previous film, Dune: Part Three features an ensemble cast of all-star names led by Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya.
Alongside them will be Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor-Joy, Rebecca Ferguson, Robert Pattinson, Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin.
After seats for a special early screening of the film in IMAX sold out in less than 30 minutes last month, the IMAX 70mm showings – which officially went live today (20 October) – are expected to be snapped up fast by film fans in Manchester.
“A decade in the making, Denis Villeneuve’s epic Dune trilogy is reaching its dramatic conclusion this December,” explained Dean Cross, who is the Senior Screen Content Manager at Vue.
“As the only venue outside of London to be screening Dune: Part Three in IMAX 70mm, it’s a privilege for us to offer this unique way to experience the film.”
Emily Sergeant -
7th April 2025 
