Organise a celebration event for VE Day's 80th anniversary

This is called a Street Meet and typically takes place on a driveway, parking area, or front garden as it’s private land or at the end of a cul-de-sac, wide pavement or grass verge.

You can do this without letting us know. View the Street Party website for more information.

You just need to make sure you keep the pavements clear to allow people to move safely through the street.

If you're planning a street party or any other event on the public highway you will need to apply for a temporary road closure.

A temporary closure means that all vehicles are kept out but the road is still open to pedestrians.

If your event is being organised professionally, publicised widely and anyone is welcome to attend, you can view more advice on our public event guidance page.

There are different timescales that are required for your event application based on the size and scale of your event.

We will require the following as a minimum for large events:

• a completed risk assessment
• event management plan
• site plan
• proof of public liability insurance.

Events with a paid bar, entertainment or charges to raise money will need a temporary events notice (TEN). View more information on our temporary events page.

If you'd like to request an application form to host an event on the public highway and for a temporary road closure, email [email protected]. Apply by Friday 21 March 2025.

Once you have submitted your application we aim to respond within 2 to 3 weeks. Apply as soon as possible because we may need to discuss other options, if there is a conflict with other events.

We have waived the fees for when an application to host an event on a public highway and/or a temporary road closure is requested for a VE Day 80 street party being held between Monday 5 May (Early May Bank Holiday) to Sunday 11 May 2025 inclusive.

Requests for temporary road closures on main roads will not be accepted. We encourage closures on smaller roads and cul-de-sacs.

We can and will refuse applications on grounds of safety.

Any applications received after the deadline date may also be declined because of the impact on emergency service routes.

We recommend that you purchase public liability insurance cover for a small residential street party. For further advice visit the Street Party Site and Together Coalition’s VE80 webpages. The costs can always be split between residents, or you can ask for donations to cover the costs.

Buckinghamshire Council will not be held responsible for any damage to property, or injury to any person arising from or in connection with the street party, or other events.

In most cases you do not need a risk assessment for small street parties, however, we would encourage you to complete one as the event organiser with responsibility for attendees' safety. You may wish to think about how you can minimise risks and have a backup plan. For example:

• what to do if there was extreme weather (for example hot, cold or wet)
• use of reusable plastic plates and cups rather than glass
• making sure an adult is in charge of the barbeque
• slip, trip and fall hazards

Licences are only required if alcohol is sold.

At a private party, sharing drinks with your neighbours does not require a licence. If you did want to sell alcohol, you need a temporary events notice (TEN).

You will not need an entertainment licence if:

• your street party is private for residents only
• the music is not advertised in advance to attract people (live or recorded)
• you are not making money

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed that one-off events such as street parties aren’t usually considered food businesses, so you do not need a permit. However, you must ensure that any food provided is safe to eat.

The FSA website provides more advice about providing safe food at street parties and other community events. The NHS 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 lottery’, but tickets can only be sold at the event and prizes cannot be rolled over from one event to another.

Anyone at the event (including children) can take part in this sort of lottery. No more than £100 can be deducted from the proceeds of the lottery to cover the expenses incurred in organising the lottery (for example ticket printing), and no more than £500 can be spent on prizes (not including donated prizes).

The Gambling Commission’s website has more information including:

• Types of lottery you can run without a licence
• How to run a fundraiser with lotteries or raffles at events

If you are planning an event, please also consider reading the guidance below:

• National Counter Terrorism Security Office | ProtectUK
• Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure
• Complete ACT e-learning: An interactive online product designed to provide nationally accredited counter terrorism awareness to all. (45 minutes)
• Download the Protect UK App
• Sign up to the new ProtectUK Platform for advice, guidance, webinars, forums and downloadable resources relating to Vigilance Campaigns.

You will need to clean up after your street party.

Let people know in advance what time the street party will finish and have a section set aside for bin bags and recycling.

Take your rubbish and recycling home. If you have too much recycling to store at home, you can take it to one of our Household Recycling Centres.

Do not leave bin bags on the streets as this may attract foxes and vermin.

Organisations can apply to The National Lottery Community Fund’s Awards For All programme for grants to host events, activities and projects to commemorate the war.

Community celebrations are led by the Together Coalition, funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and are part of the UK Government’s national programme to commemorate the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day.

If you want to let other people know what you are doing to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day or you want to find out what is going on in your area, check out our Bucks Online Directory.