Get ready – there’s a proper WWII tank coming to Luton to mark 80 years of VE Day. And it’s all happening in St George’s Square!

Luton Council’s bringing a special bit of Luton’s wartime history back home this May, as a rare Vauxhall Churchill Mark III tank heads to town for VE Day’s 80th anniversary.

The tank (on loan from The Churchill Trust via The Tank Museum) will be parked up in St George’s Square for two days, marking Vauxhall’s significant contribution to WWII. 

When Britain was down to just 100 tanks after Dunkirk, the government turned to Vauxhall’s factory in Luton for help. By May 1940, they’d stopped making cars completely and were building tanks as fast as possible.

You can get a proper look on Saturday 10 May (12pm-6pm) and Sunday 11 May (10am-4pm). Tank Museum experts will be there to talk you through this specific tank, while a special exhibit tells the broader story of Vauxhall’s contribution to the war effort. This includes rare photos from Vauxhall’s own archives plus stories about what life was like in Luton during the war years.

There’s also live vintage and jazz music at intervals between 1pm to 4pm both days, plus face painting and craft activities for the kids.

Plus on Sunday 11 May, head to Hat Gardens on Bute Street for the outdoor cinema showing 1930s and 40s classics:

  • ‘Bambi’ (1942) at 10am
  • ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939) at 12pm
  • ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’ (1938) at 2pm

All events are free to attend and are funded by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

There’s lots more VE Day celebrations happening across Luton too – check out all the details on our what’s on guide. 

About the Author
Laura Redmond

Laura is a passionate supporter of the Step Forward Luton campaign and a Place Activation and Marketing Coordinator. Armed with a journalism degree and unwavering love for her university town, she believes there's more to Luton that meets the eye. From charity work to market management, Laura's professional journey has explored every corner of Luton. When she's not busy being a marketing maven, she's lacing up her walking shoes to explore the town's green spaces or unearthing Luton's hidden foodie gems.