How to watch the VE Day 80 concert on the BBC

VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember, is a spectacular live concert airing Thursday 8 May at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Here's all you need to know.

The BBC will commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day with a rich schedule of special programming across TV, radio, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, and online platforms. A major highlight is VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember, a spectacular live concert airing Thursday 8 May at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Broadcast from London’s historic Horse Guards Parade and presented by Zoe Ball, this star-studded evening of music, dance, and powerful tributes features performances by Samantha Barks, Fleur East, John Newman, Freya Ridings, Keala Settle, Sir Willard White, The Darkness, and more. Strictly Come Dancing professionals will also light up the stage with stirring choreography, while Dames Joan Collins, Mary Berry, Sheila Hancock, and actor Brian Cox contribute special commemorative moments.

Full VE Day 80 Broadcast Schedule on BBC One and iPlayer

• VE Day 80: The Nation Pays Tribute
  Monday 5 May, 10:30am – BBC One & iPlayer
  Live from London, Sophie Raworth presents a military procession and flypast in honour of those who served during WWII.

• VE Day 80: The Nation Remembers
  Thursday 8 May, 10:45am – BBC One & iPlayer
  A thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey, with reflections and memories shared by invited guests and commentary by Petroc Trelawny.

• VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember (Concert)
  Thursday 8 May, 8pm – BBC One & iPlayer
  A two-hour live concert celebrating the courage and legacy of the wartime generation.

Radio and BBC Sounds Highlights

• VE Day 80 – A Swinging Celebration
  Sunday 11 May, 8pm – BBC Radio 2 (on BBC Sounds from 8 May)
  Vernon Kay hosts a nostalgic concert from Alexandra Palace featuring the BBC Big Band and Concert Orchestra.

• Sounds of the 40s Special Playlist
  Hosted by Dermot O’Leary, this BBC Sounds feature revisits the music, films, and stories of VE Day 1945 through archive and personal anecdotes.

Additional BBC Programming

The anniversary will be marked throughout the week with themed editions of BBC Breakfast, Morning Live, The One Show, EastEnders, Antiques Roadshow, The Repair Shop, and more—bringing the nation together in remembrance, reflection, and celebration.