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)
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Chester Zoo’s spectacular light trail returns this winter with a new route and new animals for 2026
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo’s popular winter light trail is set to return with a redesigned route and some magical new animals for 2026.
Produced by Chester Zoo in partnership with Sony Music and Culture Creative, Lanterns & Light has become a popular fixture in the region’s festive calendar over the years, and it’s back this winter – transforming the zoo after dark with thousands of festive lights, colour, and wildlife-themed displays.
The 2026 trail has been redesigned with some exciting new installations, including the dazzling Suspended Jellyfish underwater display, a mirrored disco tunnel, a glittering pea-lit canopy, and Floating Feathers.
New for this year too, visitors will also get to encounter parrots, dolphins, and a giant polar bear among an expanded cast of life-sized animal puppets, all brought to life by specialist performers.
More than 140,000 people visited the trail last year, but for the first time ever in 2026, the event will also host two adults-only evenings, one on 19 November and another 8 December – giving grown-ups the chance to enjoy the trail without children.
Alongside the new additions, plenty of much-loved features will return too, including the walk-through Cathedral of Light and atmospheric Fire Garden, as well as the chance to meet Father Christmas in a snowy setting.
Visitors can also enjoy marshmallow fire pits, festive food, and warming drinks, alongside a funfair at the entrance.
But Lanterns & Light isn’t just about Christmas, as every ticket purchased helps fund Chester Zoo’s vital conservation work, supporting projects protecting threatened wildlife and restoring habitats in more than 20 countries around the world.
“Lanterns & Light is a chance to have a brilliant night out, but it also helps us do something much bigger,” explained Gemma Wright, who is the Head of Guest Experience at Chester Zoo.
“Every ticket helps support Chester Zoo’s work to prevent extinction, from protecting threatened wildlife in the places where it lives to caring for and breeding endangered species here at the zoo.
“So, while our visitors are enjoying the lights, puppets and festive atmosphere, they’re helping to give wildlife a brighter future too.”
Lanterns & Light returns to Chester Zoo from 13 November 2026 through to 3 January 2027.
Tickets are on sale and available now from £19.50 for children and £27.50 for adults, while babies under 12 months go free. You can book yours here.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
What's On
Manchester Art Fair returns this autumn with more than 180 exhibitors under one roof
Emily Sergeant
One of the UK’s largest art fairs is back in Manchester this autumn, bringing more than 180 exhibitors together all under one roof.
Not only is it one of the UK’s largest and one of the most significant art fairs, but it’s by far one of the most celebrated cultural events in Greater Manchester‘s social calendar too.
Designed for the collector, the curator, and those who are just simply curious, the event draws in tens of thousands of visitors, and will feature lots of new and returning galleries and artists this year – all of whom will be showing new works.
2026’s edition will be its biggest yet too, as the event is returning to Manchester Central for four days this year instead of the usual three.
Returning from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 November, the fair will have more than 600 artists there for an exceptional showcase of modern and contemporary art, with thousands of works available to discover and buy from both world-renowned names and some of the most exciting emerging creative talent.
In a significant move, the fair’s highly anticipated Preview Night will move to Thursday evening, opening an expanded programme of art, talks, workshops, and new experiences across the four days that follow.
Leading the lineup of new features are Manchester Art Fair’s Art Masterclasses, which have been created for developing artists looking to advance their creative practice.
These new experiences will sit alongside a rich programme of artist talks, panel discussions, Q&As, live demonstrations, and other hands-on creative workshops.
More than 180 exhibitors will all gather together under one roof / Credit: Supplied
Manchester Art Fair 2026 will first open at Manchester Central with an exclusive preview night on Thursday 19 November, before it then continues on Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November – with tockets now on sale.
Tickets are priced at £15 for a day ticket or £25 for a preview night ticket, including access throughout the weekend, all with booking fees applying.
Emily Sergeant -
7th April 2025 
