For those with a penchant for nostalgia, the sartorial elegance of the 1940s, or the echoes of wartime Britain, 2025 promises a wealth of opportunities to immerse yourselves in this fascinating decade. From bustling town centres transformed into scenes from yesteryear to heritage railways steaming through time, here’s your guide to the upcoming 1940s events across the United Kingdom.
May 2025: A Month of Remembrance and Retro Fun
The month kicks off with a poignant commemoration:
- Sat 10th May – Sun 11th May – Wartime Britain 2025: VE Day 80 at the REME Museum in Lyneham, Wiltshire. Marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, this event promises a reflective and engaging experience exploring wartime Britain. While an external link isn’t directly available for this specific event yet, you can find more about the museum and potential updates on their website: REME Museum Website
The same weekend offers a contrasting but equally immersive experience:
- Sat 10th May – Sun 11th May – Spirit of Wartime Sherwood 1940s at Thoresby Park, Nottinghamshire. This free event recreates the atmosphere of wartime Britain with military camps, home front displays, vintage vehicles, and 1940s entertainment.3 Details can often be found closer to the time on local event listings or the Thoresby Park website: Thoresby Park Website
For a more intimate 1940s experience in a charming setting:
- Sun 11th May – 1940s Day at Bressingham, Norfolk. Known for its steam engines and gardens, Bressingham will be stepping back in time with living history displays, 1940s music, and the chance to explore the Dad’s Army museum. Find out more here: Bressingham Gardens Website
Mid-May sees one of the most popular 1940s gatherings:
- Fri 16th May – Sun 18th May – Haworth 1940s Weekend in Haworth, Yorkshire. Centred around the iconic Keighley & Worth Valley Railway and the picturesque village, this weekend is a must-visit for enthusiasts. Expect a vibrant atmosphere with music, dancing, vintage stalls, and steam trains transporting you back in time.6 Keep an eye on the railway’s website for updates: Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Website
Kent will also be embracing the era:
- Sat 17th May – Sun 18th May – 1940s Weekend in Tenterden. While specific details and a direct link are yet to be widely available, keep an eye on local Tenterden tourism websites and event listings closer to the date.
Later in May, Shropshire takes a wartime turn:
- Fri 23rd May – Sun 25th May – Ironbridge WW2 Weekend in Ironbridge. Set within the historic Ironbridge Gorge, this event often features re-enactments, displays, and a look at life on the home front during the Second World War. Check local tourism sites for updates.
The end of May offers a mix of retro vibes:
- Sat 31st May – Sun 1st June – Retro Rendezvous in Ulverston Town Centre. This event typically celebrates various vintage eras, and the 1940s are often well-represented with music, fashion, and vehicles. Look for information on local Ulverston event pages.
- Fri 30th May – Sun 1st June – Vintage Nostalgia Festival at Stockton Park, Stockton, Wiltshire. This festival is a broader celebration of vintage culture, with a strong emphasis on the 1940s, including live music, dancing, and a vintage marketplace. Find more details here: Vintage Nostalgia Festival Website
June 2025: Stepping into Summer with 40s Flair
As summer begins, the 1940s spirit continues across the country:
- Sat 7th June – Sun 8th June – Brighouse 1940s Weekend in Brighouse Town Centre. This popular event transforms the town with music, dancing, a vintage market, re-enactors, and vehicle displays. Keep an eye on local Brighouse council or tourism websites for more information.
- Sat 7th June – Sun 8th June – Walled Garden Baumber Vintage Festival near Lincoln. This festival, held in a beautiful walled garden, often features a variety of vintage eras, including a significant nod to the 1940s with music and displays.11 Search for “Walled Garden Baumber Vintage Festival” closer to the date for details.
- Sat 7th – Sun 8th & Sat 14th – Sun 15th June – Step Back to the 1940s at Severn Valley Railway, Worcestershire and Shropshire. As the name suggests, this event fully immerses visitors in the 1940s with themed experiences at each station along the heritage railway line. More information can be found here: Severn Valley Railway Website
- Fru 13th June – Sun 15th June – Harvey 1940s Comedy Show at Doddington Village Hall, Cambridgeshire. This unique event offers a comedic take on the 1940s. Search for event details closer to the time on local Cambridgeshire event listings.
- Sat 21st June – Sun 22nd June – Damhouse 1940s Weekend at Damhouse, Astley Hall Dr, Manchester. This historic house and its grounds will be stepping back in time with 1940s displays and activities. Look for updates on the Damhouse website or local council events pages.
- Fri 28th June – Sat 29th June – Springwell Village 1940s Weekend in Springwell Village, Gateshead. This local event brings the 1940s to the community with various activities. Details are usually available closer to the time through local community channels.
July 2025: Mid-Summer 40s Celebrations
The heat of summer brings more opportunities to enjoy the 1940s:
- July 4th – 6th, 2025 – Ingleton 1940s Weekend in Ingleton, North Yorkshire. This free event offers a weekend of 1940s music, fashion, historical displays, and vehicles in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales village. Check local Ingleton tourism websites for updates.
- Sat 5th July – Sun 6th July – 1940s Experience at The Railway Station, Havenstreet, Isle of Wight. The Isle of Wight Steam Railway regularly hosts 1940s weekends, offering themed train rides and station activities.14 Visit their website for details: Isle of Wight Steam Railway Website
- Thurs 10th July – Sun 13th July – Vintage For Victory in Whitchurch Library Gardens, Cardiff. This event brings a taste of the 1940s to the Welsh capital with vintage displays and entertainment. Search for “Vintage For Victory Cardiff” for more information closer to the date.
- Sat 12th July – Sun 13th July – 1940s Weekend at Black Country Living Museum, Dudley. This immersive museum is the perfect backdrop for a 1940s weekend, bringing the sights, sounds, and stories of the era to life. Find details on their website: Black Country Living Museum Website
- Sat 12th July – Sun 13th July – Kirkby Stephen in the 1940’s in Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria. This charming market town often hosts a delightful 1940s weekend. Look for information on local Kirkby Stephen tourism pages.
- Sat 19th & Sun 20th July – Lincoln’s 1940s Weekend in Lincoln. This popular city-wide event features live music, dancing, vintage markets, and vehicle displays throughout Lincoln’s historic Cathedral Quarter.17 Keep an eye on the Visit Lincoln website for updates.
August 2025: Late Summer Retro Gatherings
As summer draws to a close, the vintage scene remains vibrant:
- Fri 8th – Sun 10th August – Retro Festival near Thatcham, Berkshire. This festival celebrates a wide range of vintage eras, with the 1940s always being a prominent feature in the music and style. Visit their website for details: Retro Festival Website
- Sat 9th – Sun 10th August – Salute to the 40s at the International Bomber Command Centre, Lincoln. This event offers a more specific focus on the wartime era, often featuring poignant displays and commemorations alongside 1940s entertainment. Find more information on the IBCC website: International Bomber Command Centre Website
- Fri 22nd – Mon 25th August – Twinwood Festival near Bedford. A premier vintage music festival with a strong 1940s flavour, attracting dancers and enthusiasts from across the UK. Details can be found here: Twinwood Festival Website
- Sat 23rd August – Guisborough Vintage Fair in Guisborough, North Yorkshire. A smaller, local fair offering a taste of vintage, including items and styles from the 1940s. Search for local Guisborough event listings for details closer to the time.
September 2025: Autumnal Nostalgia
The autumn months still offer opportunities to enjoy the 1940s:
- September 19th – 21st, 2025 – Sheringham 1940s Weekend in Sheringham, Norfolk. This popular event sees the entire town and the North Norfolk Railway embrace the 1940s with music, fashion, and steam train rides. Visit the North Norfolk Railway website for more information: North Norfolk Railway Website
- Fri 12th – Sun 14th September – Goodwood Revival near Chichester, West Sussex. While celebrating the post-war motoring era up to 1966, the Goodwood Revival has a strong aesthetic influence from the 1940s and attracts many attendees in period attire.20 Find details on their website: Goodwood Revival Website
- Sat 20th – Sun 21st September – Salute To The 40s at The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent. This event brings the 1940s to life within the historic dockyard setting, often featuring military displays and vintage entertainment. Keep an eye on their website for details: Historic Dockyard Chatham Website
October 2025: A Final Step Back
As autumn deepens, one last major 1940s event is planned:
- October 11th – 12th, 2025 – Back to the 1940s at Eden Camp Modern History Museum, North Yorkshire. This unique museum, set in original prisoner of war huts, fully immerses visitors in the 1940s with live entertainment and a special evening dance. Find more information here: Eden Camp Website
November 2025: A Touch of Vintage
While primarily a vintage home and fashion fair, the following event often includes a good representation of 1940s styles:
- Sat 15th November – Saltaire Vintage Home & Fashion Fair at Victoria Hall, Saltaire, West Yorkshire. This fair offers a chance to find authentic vintage pieces from various eras, including the 1940s. Search for “Saltaire Vintage Home & Fashion Fair” for more details closer to the date.
This comprehensive list offers a fantastic array of opportunities to experience the charm and history of the 1940s across the UK in 2025. Remember to check the individual event websites or local tourism pages for the most up-to-date information, ticket details, and specific schedules as the dates draw nearer. Get ready to step back in time and enjoy the spirit of the era!
If you know of an event that is missing from this list, please send us the details and we’ll add you to the list!