VE Day street parties
Thursday 8 May 2025 marks 80 years since Victory in Europe (VE) Day when the Second World War came to an end in Europe. We understand residents may want to celebrate this special anniversary, so have put together some guidance on organising a street party.
Applying for a road closure
If you’re planning to have a street party on a public road, you’ll need permission from Hertfordshire County Council to close the road. Most requests are free if it’s on a residential street and doesn’t affect a bus route.
Deadline: Applications for VE Day street parties (for the first or second week in May) must be made to Hertfordshire County Council, which normally requires 6 weeks notice, but will continue to process applications where possible in shorter timescales.
Health and safety for street parties and events
You don't need to complete a formal risk assessment for a street party, but residents are responsible for their own health and safety. Make sure emergency vehicles can access the road at all times.
If your celebration extends beyond a street party into a public event, you will need to complete a Safety Advisory Group event notification form on our Event safety page.
Street parties vs public events - the differences
| Street parties | Other public events |
|---|---|
| Only for residents/neighbours | Open to anyone |
| Publicity only for residents | Advertised publicly (such as online or posters) |
| In a quiet residential road, block of flats or local green space | In buildings, parks or larger venues |
| Self-organised | Professional/skilled organisers |
| No insurance needed | Insurance needed |
| No risk assessment needed | Risk assessment commonly required |
| No licences needed (unless selling alcohol) | Licence usually needed |
More guidance
For more advice and tips on organising a street party see:
Page Last Updated: Friday, 11 April 2025 at 10:22 AM