V-E Day 80th Anniversary: Best Tours, Memorials & Events in Europe 2025

BY MARK CHESNUT

An event that happened eighty years ago may seem like ancient history to some, but for many families — including mine — the 80^th anniversary of V-E Day resonates personally and historically as one of the most pivotal moments of the 20th century.

May 8, 2025, marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (V-E) Day, when Nazi Germany officially surrendered, ending World War II in Europe and resulting in the liberation of millions from concentration camps and prisoner of war (POW) camps.

To honor the date, a variety of events, tours and exhibits are taking place around Europe and in the United States throughout the year, providing interesting opportunities to add depth your next trip with moving, history-focused activities.

For me, the anniversary hits close to home. My father spent nearly two years as a prisoner of war, held in the notorious Stalag Luft I POW camp near Barth, Germany. Earlier this year, I donated my family’s collection of documents and photos related to my father’s World War II experiences to the National World War II Museum. And this May, I’ll to Germany for the 80th anniversary commemoration of the liberation of his POW camp as well as the nearby concentration camp. I’ve already shared a some reels about my father’s experience on Instagram — including a peek at some of his World War II letters and his wartime correspondence with family that shows the human side of war — and I’ll be writing a full essay after I attend the event.

If you’re considering a trip to mark this powerful anniversary — whether to honor family history, pay tribute to those who fought and suffered or deepen your understanding of WWII — there are many thoughtful, well-curated ways to do so.

Read on for some of the top World War II tours, attractions and destinations where you can commemorate V-E Day and learn more about the people involved.

Several tour companies are offering WWII-focused itineraries in 2025, with visits to battlefields, memorials and key historical sites.

Trafalgar’s WWI & WWII Battlefields Tour
Trafalgar’s 11-day journey through the UK, France and Belgium is a deep dive into the defining moments of both world wars. Highlights include the Somme battlefields, the D-Day landing beaches in Normandy and a visit to the Menin Gate in Ypres.

Ambrose Historical Tours: Germany V-E Day Tour
Prefer something more focused on Germany itself? This 13-day itinerary covers Germany’s role in the war, with visits to Munich, Berlin and key battlefields. It also includes commemorative events for V-E Day itself, making it ideal for those interested in retracing the European Theater’s final days.

The National World War II Museum’s Victory in Europe River Cruises
New Orleans’ stellar National World War II Museum now has a Liberation Pavilion dedicated to the post-war period. And they’ve also taken their expertise across the Atlantic with two “Victory in Europe” river cruises aboard the Viking Beyla this spring. The cruises trace the path of Allied forces along the Elbe River, culminating in commemorative ceremonies.

VE Day 80: 2025 Tour by Explorica by WorldStrides (Netherlands, Belgium & London) 
For a shorter yet impactful experience, Explorica’s nine-day student tour focuses on sites like Anne Frank’s House, the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, and London’s Imperial War Museum. It’s appropriate for younger travelers, school groups or families wanting an introduction to WWII history with real-life context.

Tours by the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
If aviation history is your thing, the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Georgia offers specialized tours of England and France from April to October. You'll visit airfields, memorials and museums dedicated to the brave airmen who fought in the skies over Europe.

If you'd rather create your own route and move at your own pace, Eurail has some helpful WWII-focused suggested itineraries covering France, Germany and beyond. Whether you want to explore the beaches of Normandy, visit Berlin’s Topography of Terror Museum or make a pilgrimage to sites like Dachau and Auschwitz, the flexibility of Eurail allows you to tailor the journey to your personal interests and family history.

If you're not joining a formal tour but still want to experience key WWII landmarks and commemorations at any time this year, here are some noteworthy places:

• Normandy, France: Visit Omaha Beach, the Normandy American Cemetery and Pointe du Hoc. Many local towns and museums will host special ceremonies for the 80th anniversary.

• Berlin, Germany: The German capital is home to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the Topography of Terror Museum and several V-E Day-related exhibitions and events in May.

• Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland: In January 2025, Auschwitz marked the anniversary of its liberation with solemn events. Visiting at any time of year is a profound experience and a chance to reflect.

• Imperial War Museum, London: One of the best WWII museums in Europe, this facility is a stop included in several commemorative tours.

As the number of living WWII veterans dwindles, these commemorations become even more vital. They’re not just ceremonies or history lessons — they’re reminders of resilience, loss, sacrifice and hard-won peace. Whether you have a personal family connection like I do, or you simply want to pay your respects and learn more, visiting these sites in 2025 offers an opportunity to reflect on what happened 80 years ago and what it continues to mean today.

I'll be sharing more about my journey to Germany in May — including photos, behind-the-scenes reels, and a full essay once I return — so if you're curious about what it’s like to stand on the very ground where liberation happened, please be sure to subscribe to Departure Level and follow me on Instagram. 

And if you’re planning your own commemorative trip for 2025, now’s the time to start booking—these meaningful moments are bound to sell out fast.

ABOUT MARK CHESNUT

Mark Chesnut is a New York City-based journalist, editor, travel industry consultant and public speaker with more than 30 years of experience. The winner of the 2019 NLGJA Excellence in Travel Writing Award, Mark is the author of the book Prepare for Departure. Follow him on Instagram!