VE80 on Trafalgar Square

VE80 is the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 2 in Europe, an event of great historical importance. It's a time to honour and remember those who fought and served in the World War.

We are commemorating the event by offering a free-standing exhibition to Londoners and tourists passing through Trafalgar Square. This exhibition will contain historical photos from numerous areas of London in 1945. 

You are welcome to enjoy a 20-piece marching band which will perform a variety of musical pieces on Trafalgar Square during lunchtime (around 1:00pm – 3:00pm). 

There will be a spectacular V-shaped lighting display in Trafalgar Square from 8:00pm, reflecting the searchlights that were used in 1945. This display will happen in conjunction with a commemorative projection onto Nelson's Column throughout the evening. Definitely not to be missed.

Find out more about VE events nationally and locally.

Trafalgar Square is easy to reach by public transport, including buses, the Tube, and national rail services. 

The nearest Underground station with step-free access from the platform to street level is Westminster Station, which is served by the Jubilee, District and Circle lines. From Westminster Station, it’s about a 10-minute walk to Trafalgar Square. 

Charing Cross Underground Station is the closest Tube station and is served by the Northern and Bakerloo lines. Please note that this station doesn't have step-free access. 

Bus routes that stop close to Trafalgar Square include routes 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 15, 23, 87, 88, 91, 139 and 176, with most buses having wheelchair access. 

For accessible travel options, including step-free routes and Dial-A-Ride services, you can visit the Transport for London (TfL) website for maps and to plan your journey: tfl.gov.uk. 

National Rail 

The nearest railway station is Charing Cross. It is 325 metres away, approximately 3 minutes’ walk. Charing Cross rail station offers step-free access and a step-free route to Trafalgar Square. 

Accessible parking 

The surrounding area on Trafalgar Square can get very busy on the day of the event, so we recommend you take public transport if you're visiting the event. If you’re unable to take public transport for accessibility reasons, accessible parking is available near Trafalgar Square. 

There are Blue Badge parking spaces on St Martin’s Street, located next to the National Gallery. Please be aware that these spaces are around 250 metres from the National Gallery. There are three designated Blue Badge parking bays available here. 

For more information on parking, you can contact the Westminster Parking Information Service on 020 7823 4567. The helpline is open Monday to Saturday, from 8am to 8pm. To find other blue badge parking bays nearby, you can find disabled Blue Badge bays on the City of Westminster’s website using the postcode WC2N 5DN.