Doncaster celebrates 80th Anniversary of VE Day

The City of Doncaster Council is excited to invite all residents to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. We have a series of events planned to honour this historic occasion and bring our community together. Here’s everything you need to know:

The Big Lunch - Monday 5 May

As part of our VE Day 80^th Anniversary celebrations there’ll be family-friendly fun including 1940s themed entertainment and other attractions.

You can bring your own picnic but remember Delicious Doncaster Food and Drink Festival will also be taking place, so there’ll be plenty of choice on offer when it comes to lunch!

Delicious Doncaster Food & Drink Festival – 2-5 May

Prepare your taste buds for a treat! Over the bank holiday weekend the City Centre will play host to Doncaster’s annual foodie event of the year.

There'll be food and drink stalls throughout the city centre as well as guest chefs, demonstrations and entertainment for all the family.

VE Day Commemorations - Thursday 8 May

On 8 May we’ll commemorate VE Day with a formal observance including our town crier reading the proclamation as well as a tribute from our Civic Mayor, a period of silence to remember the fallen and a piper performing on the steps of Doncaster Mansion House. Residents are also encouraged to light a candle as part of the remembrance. Expected times for these events throughout the day:

8am - Town Crier declaration outside Doncaster's Mansion House.

11am - Service outside Doncaster's Mansion House with the Civic Mayor reading the tribute.

12noon - Piper performing on the steps of Doncaster's Mansion House. 

9.30pm - Lighting of personal candles to remember the fallen

Sharing VE Day Memories

Do you or any of your family members have memories of VE Day that you would like to share – if so we’d love to hear from you! 

As part of our VE Day 80^th anniversary commemorations we’re inviting people to share memories of their VE Day with a view to capturing these for generations to come. 

If you would like to get involved, please email Doncaster.events@doncaster.gov.uk

(Please send by 25 April).

Community street parties

We love to see communities come together and if you're planning on a street party to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, please follow these conditions:

Street Party Conditions:

• Organisers read and implemented the Council’s Coronation street party Policy;
• Organisers consulted with businesses and residents in advance of the closure being approved;
• All street party events over the Coronation weekend have been limited to one day only;
• All street party events over the Coronation weekend have been limited to a duration of 16 hours between 07:00 and 23:00;
• All street parties have adhered to all relevant licensing rules, regulations and permission;
• Three metres of access will be maintained across the carriageway to the movement of emergency services vehicles;
• Access for residents to their properties will be maintained at all times; 

If you are hosting a street party please do what you can to make sure your street is returned to its previous cleanliness. There will be no extra provision for street parties so waste must go in the appropriate bins.

Keep in touch! 

• If you are planning on organising a community event, drop us a line at Doncaster.Events@doncaster.gov.uk
• Also, please share your VE Day celebration photos with us by tagging @mydoncaster into your posts on Facebook and X (Twitter)