This year, Friday 14th November 2025, officially marks the 85th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz.
This historic incident that sent shockwaves through the city during World War II will never be forgotten – and there are many events planned around this date to commemorate those that lost their lives, homes and loved ones, as well as celebrating the bravery of the city’s people in the face of adversity.
What happened in the Coventry Blitz?
On 14th November 1940, just after 7pm, the most concentrated air raid on a British city during the Second World War began in Coventry, with the intention of destroying its manufacturing and industrial infrastructure.
The official death toll was around 554 – although many people believe this could be higher – with many more injured. Hundreds of homes and public buildings were razed to the ground, most notably, Coventry's medieval cathedral, St Michael's. Yet, the heart of the city was strong, and within weeks, reconstruction of many areas had already begun.
Following the war, Coventry committed itself to being a centre for peace and reconciliation, pairing with two German cities, Kiel and Dresden. In fact, Dresden befell a similar fate during World War II, thus the twinning of the two cities established a partnership to support their many years of efforts for reconciliation and understanding among people.
Every year, on 14th November, Coventry honours the men, women and children that lost their lives, alongside those that showed strength, bravery and resilience in the city that they called home.
Coventry city’s Cathedral Ruins were left as a reminder of the bombing and can still be visited today. Many events centre around this historic place, acting as an anchor to the city’s past.
Events to commemorate the 85th anniversary
This year, there are a number of events throughout the city to commemorate the anniversary of Coventry Blitz.
Sunday 9th November
War Memorial Park
The city’s War Memorial Park plays host to the city’s annual remembrance event which will take place by the Cenotaph in the park from 11am – 1pm.
This year’s event has added poignancy with the Blitz anniversary, and all are invited to join this free event attended by the Lord Mayor of Coventry, the Bishop of Coventry, and serving and retired members of the armed forces.
Monday 10th November
Draper’s Hall will be playing host to an exciting community project starting on Monday 10th November, The Big Blitz Build, led by Coventry City Council to mark the 85th anniversary of the Blitz.
Inspired by the Cathedral Ruins, the local community are invited to come together and work with internationally acclaimed artist Olivier Grossetête to reimagine Coventry Cathedral in a bold and imaginative interpretation from thousands of pieces of cardboard.
This amazing temporary landmark will rise as a symbol of remembrance, resilience, and the extraordinary strength found in unity, the things that Coventry is known for and proud of
And the good news is, you don’t need to be an artist or super creative, as long as you bring your enthusiasm and willingness to get stuck in.
A number of free workshops, held in Drapers’ Hall in the city centre, will be running every day from Monday 10th to Saturday 15th November, to support the build of the structure. During the weekend, those taking part will be invited back to construct and celebrate the structure created by the community.
The completed artwork will stand in Broadgate until 3pm on Sunday 16th November.
Find out more and sign up to take part here.
Tuesday 11th November
West Orchards Shopping Centre
West Orchards holds a short service every year to mark the 11th hour on the 11th November when the ceasefire was declared, marking the end of the Second World War.
The shopping centre welcomes the public and invited guests to take part in a brief service at 10.40am – 11am, followed by a two-minute silence that will be accompanied by a poppy drop from the centre’s ceiling to honour lives lost during war and conflict.
This event is free for all to attend.
Friday 14th November
Coventry Cathedral
One of the biggest commemoration events will be a moving civic service and vigil in Coventry Cathedral and Ruins on Friday 14th November.
The theme is ‘Remembering well to move forward’, and will be offering a moment of reflection, alongside the opportunity to focus on peace and reconciliation for the future.
The service will begin at 5.30pm in the New Cathedral and will be led by the Very Reverend John Witcombe, Dean of Coventry.
With contributions from local groups, including Coventry schools, faith leaders, and choral pieces, guests will also be joining via video link for the National Gathering of the Community of the Cross of Nails in Münster, Germany.
Following the service, attendees will move into the iconic Cathedral Ruins as two sirens sound at 6.55pm to mark the exact time of the air raid in 1940. This will be followed by a two-minute silence and an opportunity for people to pay their own respects or take a moment to remember those who suffered so much on that fateful night.
This is a free, ticketed event and you can get your ticket here – alternatively, a limited number of tickets will be available in the cathedral’s Gift Shop for those without access to a computer or who prefer to pick up a ticket in person.
Sherbourne Valley
Take a short, gentle history walk alongside Paul from Coventry Society to mark the anniversary of the Coventry Bombings 85 years ago to the day.
The walk will look at the Sluice Gate and discuss how it was used, before walking up to London Road Cemetery to pay respect to the lives that were lost. There are 808 graves in the cemetery marking the number of lives lost during the Blitz.
Find out more and get your tickets here.
Saturday 15th November
Coventry Cathedral
Watch moving performance, It Takes a City, by Talking Birds theatre company in Coventry’s Cathedral Ruins.
Telling the extraordinary story of two bomb disposal crews across time – during the discovery of an unexploded WW2 bomb in 2008 and the Blitz of 1940 – this special promenade performance with live music reflects on the legacy of conflict, taking place 85 years to the day when Provost Richard Howard stood in the smoking ruins of St Michael’s Cathedral and set the course for the future of Coventry as a beacon of hope.
Held on Saturday 15th November, there are two show times:
12.30pm - Preview Performance - Tickets £4 (£2 concession for under 18s, f/t students, retired or in receipt of benefits)
3pm Performance - Tickets £8 (£4 concessions) - includes post-show discussion & refreshments
Attendees are invited to enter the Ruins via St Michael's Tower up to 15 minutes before the performance begins. It will be unseated and moves from the Ruins into the New Cathedral, so it’s advised to be suitably dressed for the weather.
For more information and to book tickets, please head here.
Herbert Art Gallery & Museum
There are many activities happening between 10am – 4pm at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum to commemorate the Coventry Blitz.
1940s Blitz film showing – 10am – 4.00pm, Covered Court
The Herbert will be showing short films featuring real footage of the Blitz, offering a poignant glimpse into what people endured during this challenging time.
Games and toys during WW2 – 10am – 4.00pm, Covered Court
Learn about the games people played during the war and get hands-on with making your very own toy using simple materials.
Coventry WW2 display – 10am – 4pm, Covered Court
Explore their WW2 display with items loaned from Coventry Archives. Discover local stories, view images of Coventry during the Blitz, and learn about the unsung heroes who risked their lives to save others.
Blitz highlights tours – 10am – 4pm, Covered Court (queuing point).
Join the Herbert’s knowledgeable tour guide for a Blitz-themed tour of their ground-floor galleries. Discover fascinating facts about the collections and their connections to World War II.
Costume corner – 10am – 4pm
Have fun dressing up and taking a selfie.
Craft activity – 10am - 3pm, Covered Court
Try your hand at creating a simple yet fun 1940s-themed game or toy using basic materials.
Find out more about the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum’s programme of events here.
Coventry Transport Museum
Coventry Transport Museum will be running fascinating, hands-on history sessions between 10am – 3.30pm on Saturday for the Blitz anniversary.
Object handling – 11am - 1pm and 2pm – 3.30pm, Second World War Exhibition
Get hands-on with genuine wartime objects. Discover the stories behind everyday items from the Second World War and imagine what life was like for the people who used them.
Talk on rationing – 11am - 1pm and 2pm – 3.30pm, Blitz Classroom
Find out how families coped with strict food and clothing rationing during the Blitz. Learn what was available, what was scarce, and the clever ways people made do and stayed fed.
Old newspaper articles – 11am - 1pm and 2pm – 3.30pm, Blitz Classroom
Step back in time by reading original newspaper articles from the Blitz. See how the war was reported, what made the headlines, and how news shaped daily life on the Home Front.
Immersive Anderson Shelter – 11am - 1pm and 2pm – 3.30pm, Blitz Experience
Take a seat inside our authentic Anderson shelter and experience what it might have been like to take cover during an air raid. Hear stories of how these shelters protected families during bombing raids.
Bonnets up on wartime vehicles – 11am - 2pm, Second World War Exhibition
Explore our collection of wartime vehicles up close with their bonnets raised. See the engines that kept them moving and learn how these machines supported the war effort both at home and overseas.
Family Museum Engineers special – Shelters | Future Tech Gallery | 10am – 3.30pm
Put your creativity to the test in their shelter-building challenge! Inspired by the immersive Anderson Shelter and wartime stories across the museums, you’ll get the chance to design and build your very own shelters – big or small.
Can you meet ‘Blitz standard’? Your shelter needs to be strong, sturdy, made from everyday materials, and remember – no light escaping under the blackout rule!
- Big builds: Use cardboard, pipes, fabrics, and more to create full-sized structures.
- Small builds: Try your hand at junk modelling and construction sets for miniature shelters.
Find out more about Coventry Transport Museum’s programme of events here.
Broadgate
As part of the Big Blitz Build, Coventry will host a monumental installation piece as part of the city’s Blitz 85th anniversary programme.
Situated in the heart of the city in Broadgate, it will be built through the day on Saturday 15th November. Visitors over the weekend, will be able to talk to the artists and creators of the piece, and meet some of the local community who have played a part in its construction.
Inspired by the Cathedral Ruins, the structure, measuring around 20 metres high and weighing more than one ton, will reimagine Coventry Cathedral in a bold and imaginative interpretation from thousands of pieces of cardboard. The true wonder of this project lies not only in its stunning visual impact, but in the spirit behind it: a whole community coming together in peace, creativity, solidarity, and commemoration.
Creator of the installation, internationally acclaimed artist Olivier Grossetête, is world-renowned for creating similar monumental constructions, and this amazing temporary landmark will rise as a symbol of remembrance, resilience, and the extraordinary strength found in unity.
Those attending on Sunday are invited to assist in the deconstruction of the building reflecting the sudden and unexpected loss of the old Cathedral during the night of 14 November 1940.
Stay up to date with events to mark the 85th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz
There are many activities throughout the city of Coventry this November to remember those that lost their lives on that tragic day in 1940.
To stay up to date with everything that is happening across the weekend, head to Coventry Remembers.