The Netherlands is marking 80 years since the end of World War II on Monday with parades, festivals, communal meals and speeches across the country.

Despite a chilly start to the day, weather forecasters say the afternoon, when the main festivities take place, will be mainly dry with some sunshine with temperatures up to 15° inland.

The celebrations themselves began shortly after midnight when the freedom flame was lit on 5 Mei Plein in the heart of Wageningen, close to the hotel where German forces signed the capitulation 80 years ago.

This year the flame was lit by two veterans, 100-year-old British veteran Mervyn Kersh and 101-year-old Nick Janicki from Canada, together with local mayor Floor Vermeulen.

After the fire was lit, some 5,000 runners set off to carry torches to 201 locations across the country, including the 14 venues hosting official freedom festivals.

Last week the government confirmed it would contribute funding to keep the free festivals going. Around one million people visit one of the 14 official festivals each year but they have been struggling financially.

Later on Monday, Polish prime minister Donald Tusk will deliver the annual May 5 reading in Wageningen itself.

The traditional closing concert on the Amstel takes place on the evening of May 5 in the presence of the royal family and local dignitaries, and is open to the public.

The concert will be broadcast live by NOS on NPO 1, with coverage starting at 8.30 pm. The concert always ends with a mass singalong of the Vera Lynn classic We’ll Meet Again.