Victory in Europe Day (VE Day)
VE Day street parties are celebrations that mark the end of World War II in Europe. This year's VE Day is to mark the 80th anniversary.
VE day will take place on Thursday 8th May 2025. Activities are planned across the below dates:
- VE Day activities can take place on any dates between Saturday 3 May to Monday 5 May 2025 or Friday 9 May to Sunday 11 May 2025.
Find more information on VE Day.
Holding a street party
When organising a street party, consideration needs to be given to the formal road closure process, and as such residents need tom complete and follow the process below in the form link. Failure to complete the application form, you will not be able to run a street party, more information on your guide to organising a street party.
Funding
Street parties don’t need to cost any money and could be as simple as neighbours producing a different dish to share.
Funding is available of up to £20,000 for events and activities through The National Lottery Community Fund Awards for All programme and you can encourage community groups to apply.
The National Community Fund Lottery Awards for All does not have a deadline, but it can take up to 12 weeks from the point of application submission to receiving funding, which means applications for the VE Day weekend should be made as soon as possible. Please find all funding criteria and terms and conditions.
Difference between street parties and larger events
Street parties:
- only for residents/neighbours
- publicity only to residents
- in a quiet residential road, for example a block of flats
- self-organised
- no formal risk assessment needed
- self-organised
- no licences normally necessary unless the sale of alcohol in involved
Other public events:
- anyone can attend
- external publicity (such as online or posters)
- in buildings, parks etc
- professional or skilled organisers
- insurance needed
- risk assessment common
- licence usually needed
Things to consider
Please see below list of things to consider on the street, please note this isn’t everything and other things might need to be considered
Areas to consider
- Do you need to close a road?
- Is it a main through route for emergency vehicles?
- Is it a bus route?
- What access will be provided for carers etc who may need to get in?
- Can people use their own homes?
- If the event is small, one street (for example) is there someone with first aid experience?
- If people are bringing their own for their household to eat this isn’t an issue.
- If people are sharing food, signs need to be up to warn no liability will be taken, and encourage people to bring things that aren’t potentially dangerous (for example, leave shellfish at home).
- Make sure food is labelled – Vegetarian, for example, contains gluten.
- Hot food shouldn’t be out for considerable amounts of time. Cold Foods should be kept chilled as possible.
- For events led by a community organisation or faith organisation they will need to have public liability in place.
Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) FAQ's
The Licensing Act 2003 does not require a music licence at a street party unless amplified music is one of the main purposes of the event.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed that one-off events such as street parties aren't usually considered food businesses, so there are no forms to fill in. However, you must ensure that any food provided is safe to eat.
The FSA provides more advice about providing safe food at street parties and other community events.
The NHS Choices website has practical tips on how to prepare and cook food safely .
You do not have to register a lottery (which includes raffles, sweepstakes and tombolas) if you are running an “incidental non-commercial lottery”, for which tickets must be sold and the winners announced at the event. Anyone at the event (including children) can take part in this sort of lottery.
The expenses that can be deducted from the proceeds must not be more than £100, and no more than £500 can spent on prizes (not including donated prizes).
More information is available from the Gambling Commission’s website .
There is no requirement from central government to have public liability insurance. You should not need a risk assessment – as long as consideration is given to the needs of all those attending, common sense precautions should be enough.
The below application form should be complete by those wishing to hold a street party and then submitted to Luton Council for agreement
Deadline: Friday 4 April 2025
Want to have a park or street party for Victory in Europe Day (VE Day)?
Fill in our Victory in Europe Day street party application form
After we've received the application we'll get in touch with you.
Our street party citizens pack including posters, invites and bunting will be sent to successful applicants, and you will be linked with your local Social Inclusion Coordinator to access some further resources.