Minsk Victory Day 2025: Evening Parade & 80th Anniversary Celebration

This year, Minsk is preparing for a special celebration of Victory Day. For the first time in history, the military parade in honor of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War will not be held in the morning, as has been traditional, but in the evening. This decision by the city authorities will lend the event a unique atmosphere and spectacularity.

Unusual Parade Format

According to information provided by the Minsk City Executive Committee, the parade will begin at 18:00 on May 9, 2025. The change in timing for the year's main military celebration is part of a renewed concept for marking the jubilee date. Organizers promise that the evening parade will differ not only in its timing but also in its format. In particular, one of the most impressive moments will be the flyover of military aircraft above the city with their beacon lights on. In the evening, this segment of the military parade will look especially striking, creating an impressive light show in the sky above the Belarusian capital. The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus has also announced that the parade will be conducted on a “large scale” with a “fundamentally new” arrangement. A distinctive feature of the event will be the participation of representatives from the armed forces of friendly countries, underscoring the international significance of the Victory Day celebrations.

Access and Security Arrangements

To ensure the safety and comfort of citizens, access to the parade venue will be organized through special checkpoints. Particular attention has been paid to people with limited mobility—for persons with disabilities, citizens with young children, and other similar groups, separate entrances marked by orange tents will be provided. This approach demonstrates the organizers’ desire to make the celebration accessible to all categories of citizens, which is especially important in the context of a jubilee date that unites different generations of Belarusians.

Festive Program in Minsk

Victory Day in the Belarusian capital will not be limited to the military parade alone. City authorities have prepared an extensive festive program that will last for two days—May 9 and 10. On parade day, residents and guests of Minsk will enjoy festive gatherings at two main venues:

• By the Sports Palace, where a grand gala concert featuring Belarusian and Russian artists will take place, alongside a festive fair
• In the Upper City, the historic center of Minsk

The culmination of Victory Day will be a festive fireworks display, which will begin at 21:40. Fireworks will be launched from six points across the city, allowing them to be viewed from nearly any district of Minsk. The main site for the fireworks will be the area near the Belarus Hotel. Festivities will continue the next day, May 10. A large family festival “Our Victory” with a concert program will take place by the Sports Palace. Belarusian artists will perform on stage, and the headliner of the event will be the Russian performer Niletto.

Anniversary Exhibition

On the eve of Victory Day, on May 8, a thematic exhibition dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War will open at the International Exhibition Center of the capital. This exhibition will serve as an educational component of the celebrations, allowing visitors to delve deeper into the historical context of the event.

Significance of the New Format

Moving the military parade to the evening is not just a scheduling change but a conceptual decision that may establish a new tradition for celebrating Victory Day in Minsk. The evening format allows for the use of light effects and illuminations, creating a special festive atmosphere and highlighting the solemnity of the occasion. Furthermore, holding the parade in the evening may be more convenient for many citizens, allowing a larger number of people to attend the event after the workday. Thus, the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Minsk promises to be truly grand and memorable, combining both traditional elements of the commemorations and new formats that underscore the significance of this historic date for Belarus.