VE Day on 8 May: 80th Anniversary

Thursday 8 May 2025 marks 80 years since Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), commemorating the Allies' formal acceptance of Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender in World War II. 

Eighty years ago, more than a million people took to the streets across the UK to celebrate the end of nearly six years of total war. In Chingford, Walthamstow, Leyton and Leytonstone, street parties filled every corner, with music, singing and dancing lasting late into the night. Some of these moments were captured in photos, which can be viewed on the Vestry House Museum website.

VE Day continues to bring communities together in peace and friendship. The bank holiday on Monday 5 May has been officially set aside for community celebrations and more than 27 streets have registered for a street party. Between 1.25pm and 2.10pm on the Monday an RAF flypast is scheduled to cross east London.  

Residents at the Council’s Dementia Hub will also enjoy a live band performing a collection of wartime songs. 

Community events

In the community, the following events are scheduled: 

• Saturday 3 May, 11.30am to 3.30pm, ‘VE Day Celebration’ at South Chingford Community Library
• Thursday 8 May, 3pm to 5pm: ‘Keep Calm and Carry on Tea party’ at Ivy Grove Care Home
• Thursday 8 May, 7pm: ‘For Queen and Country’ film screening and wartime cabaret, at Walthamstow Trades Hall
• Thursday 8 May, 7pm: ‘VE Day 80th Anniversary Quiz Night’ at The Royal Oak, Chingford
• Saturday 10 May, 12pm to 4pm: ‘Charity Bake Sale for VE Day’ at The Royal Oak, Chingford 

These events are not run by the Council. Please use the links provided to find out more information and contact the organisers. 

You can also find a range of VE Day events across London listed on the national activity map.

History

To learn more about the impact of the war, visit Waltham Forest College’s website, which highlights the vital wartime contributions of local residents, and the BBC WW2 People's War archives. 

Residents interested in local history can also look forward to the North Chingford Heritage Festival, starting in late June. 

Image: VE Day street party on Harvey Road, courtesy of Vestry House Museum, London Borough of Waltham Forest.