History of Street Parties

Street parties in the UK have traditionally been held en masse on national celebrations such as the VE Day (1945), the Festival of Britain (1951), Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation (1953), her silver (1977) and golden (2002) jubilees and for the Millennium (2000).

There is evidence that they started getting popular for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee celebration in 1887.

Many people have fond and strong memories of these events because they were an unusual chance to meet their neighbours and also to be in the street without traffic for a day.

Now street parties are becoming more common and held at any time for their own sake. Streets Alive believes that they can become widespread and regular throughout the country to promote neighbourliness. See our Street Party Charter.

Streets Alive would like to build a History of Street Parties here.

Please contact us with any stories of old street parties and if possible send us a photo.

Photo Gallery

Old black and white photo of children sitting at a long table having a party dinner

Coronation 1953 Carlyle Road, Bristol

Old black and white photo of residents sitting at a long table having a party dinner on VE day 1945

VE Day 1945 Heeley Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham

Printable version