Celebrating 80 Years of Victory in Europe across Mid and East Antrim
Wednesday 30 April 2025
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is reminding the public of the memorable programme of events to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day taking place across the borough.
Beginning on Thursday 1 May, at Larne Museum and Arts Centre from 2pm to 4pm, there will be a display of ‘The Day the Yanks dropped in to Kilwaughter’ featuring footage from the war years from NI Screen. It will also include a presentation of Animals at War.
The Council is then holding a special commemoration at the Andrew Jackson Centre and US Rangers Museum on Saturday 3 May between 11am and 3pm. This event will include talks on wartime themes and musical entertainment.
One of the highlights of the commemorations programme will be the ‘VE80 Celebrations and Lighting of the Beacons of Freedom’ on Thursday 8 May which will take place in each of the three towns:
- People’s Park, Ballymena – from 7pm
- Carrickfergus Town Hall and War Memorial Gardens – from 6.30pm
- Curran Park, Larne from 7.30pm
With a wide range of family activities, musical entertainment and performances, there will be something for everyone.
Rounding off the celebrations, on Saturday 10 May there will be a VE80 Anniversary event at Carrickfergus Town Hall from 11am to 3pm with demonstrations, displays, workshops, talks, games, music and dancing.
At the Andrew Jackson Centre will be a dedicated children’s event, ‘The Secret Elephant’ which tells the story of the Belfast zookeeper who brought the elephant home in case the zoo was bombed. Booking is required for this event.
Details of all the activities, times and booking links are available on our VE80 event listing.