Millions across the UK will come together next week to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. Four days of events are being held to mark the occasion, with the country set to celebrate and remember those who secured the freedoms we enjoy today.

VE Day marks the end of the Second World War in Europe on May 8, 1945 when Nazi Germany surrendered to the allies. The occasion 80 years ago sparked jubilant celebrations - the late Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, was among those who revelled that night after slipping into the thousands gathered outside Buckingham Palace, describing it as "one of the most memorable nights of my life". Members of the public are being encouraged to take part in the landmark celebrations next week. Here’s a look at what’s going on and how you can get involved:

May 5 (Monday)

The Early May Bank Holiday will kick off the celebrations.

In central London, more than 1,300 members of the Armed Forces will march in a procession from Parliament Square to Buckingham Palace.

When Big Ben strikes midday, an actor will recite lines from Sir Winston Churchill’s famous VE Day speech.

A young person will then pass the Commonwealth War Graves Torch for Peace to a 100-year-old veteran who took part in the Normandy campaign.

At 12.10pm, the procession will start, led by soldiers from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, adorned in their iconic uniforms.

They will lead the procession from outside Parliament, down to Whitehall and past the Cenotaph which will be dressed in Union Flags.

The procession will then pass through Admiralty Arch and up The Mall, where thousands of people are expected to be watching on, up to Buckingham Palace.

They will be followed on foot by members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force, plus cadets and other uniformed groups.

Military musicians will be among those on parade, while the armed forces of Commonwealth nations have been invited to celebrate the contribution of their nations during the war.

The King and Queen, plus other senior royals, will watch the spectacle from the Queen Victoria Medal alongside Sir Keir Starmer and Second World War veterans.

A flypast will follow at 1.45pm, with the public allowed to fill The Mall.

The flypast will feature military aircraft including Typhoon and F-35B fighter jets, P-8A Poseidon surveillance plane and historic aircraft from the wartime era.

It will culminate with the Red Arrows and their iconic red, white and blue smoke trails.

King Charles and Queen Camilla, and other members of the Royal Family, will watch the flypast from the Buckingham Palace’s balcony.

They will later host a tea party reception for around 50 veterans and members of Greatest Generation at the palace.

A street party will be held on HMS Belfast which is permanently moored on the Thames.

The surviving warship fired some of the first shots on D-Day in June 1944 - the catalyst for Allied victory in Europe less than a year later - and will also hold an evening party.

Street parties, barbecues and community events are being held across the UK on Monday, echoing the celebrations held 80 years ago.

A full list of the hundreds of events marking the anniversary on the Bank Holiday can be found here.

May 6 (Tuesday)

Some 30,000 ceramic poppies will return to the Tower of London to mark the anniversary.

The poppies were previously on display at the Tower in 2014 for the centenary of the First World War.

They will be displayed in a new installation within the walls of the fortress, and will resemble a 'wound' at the heart of the Tower, which was itself bombed during the Blitz.

Historic landmarks across the country will be lit up in the evening as part of the commemorations.

May 7 (Wednesday)

A special concert will be held on the third day of events.

A newsflash on May 7 - 80 years ago - announced the following day would be VE Day.

To mark this, the Parliament Choir is hosting a Victory in Europe Day Anniversary Concert at the Palace of Westminster.

The concert in the evening will feature classical music from Europe and America, with a theme of peace and reconciliation.

May 8 (Thursday)

Thursday will mark, to the day, 80 years since VE Day.

Commemorations will be led at Westminster Abbey where a service of thanksgiving will be held at midday.

The King, Queen and other senior royals will attend the ceremony which is being broadcast live.

King Charles and the Prince of Wales will lay a wreath during the service which will also lead the nation in observing a two-minute silence.

Around 1,800 people are expected to attend, including veterans.

The Royal British Legion is commemorating the anniversary at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

This includes a private tea party for Second World War veterans and their families and a service of commemoration that is also open to the public.

A concert at Horse Guards Parade will round off the commemorations in the evening.

The King and Queen will join thousands of members of the public to watch the event which will be hosted by Zoe Ball.

It will include veterans’ stories from the war and performances of music from the era, with appearances expected by stars from the stage and screen.

The concert will be broadcast live by the BBC.

While for those looking for something different, the Government has announced that pubs will be able to stay open until 1am for the anniversary.

The Prime Minister has ordered that pubs and bars that usually close at 11pm be able to keep serving for an extra two hours on Thursday to celebrate.