Whether you’re an avid fan of the Royal Family or simply looking forward to the extra bank holiday, there are events galore taking place during 2022 to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee — the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II.
With most of the key events taking over the Platinum Jubilee Weekend, from 2-5 June, here are a few of the unmissable highlights.
Nationwide
Platinum Jubilee Beacons
As darkness falls, over 1,500 beacons will be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories, as well as in each of the capital cities of the Commonwealth countries.
There’ll be a special ceremony for the lighting of the principal beacon at Buckingham Palace, as well as on the Long Walk at Windsor Great Park and at Sandringham. queensjubileebeacons.com
2 June
Keep an eye out for family-friendly Beacon Trail treasure hunts taking place around the country, where those taking part need to find seven Buckingham Palace characters and scan QR codes which share facts about the Queen’s 70-year reign, with questions to answer in order to find the next clue. highstreetsafari.com/platinumjubilee
Buckingham Palace VB34168847 CREDIT The Royal Parks
Buckingham Palace (Photo: The Royal Parks)
The Big Jubilee Lunch
There are over 200,000 events expected to take place for communities around the country, from street parties to garden picnics, along with organised events.
At Lincoln Castle, there’ll be a special picnic with live music, food and family activities on 4 June, for example, while at Windsor, there will be vintage cars on display, plus music and sport from the seven decades of the Queen’s reign. And in Bury, Clarence Park will be hosting a 1950s themed picnic on 5 June. thebigjubileelunch.com
2-5 June
RHS Gardens, Nationwide
The RHS Gardens are all marking their Patron’s 70 years on the throne with floral displays and celebrations at various locations, including the new RHS Bridgewater in Salford. Each garden has planted trees as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, along with red, white and blue floral displays, while brass bands will perform during the Jubilee weekend itself. rhs.org.uk
City Cruises
Join one of the special Platinum Jubilee cruises taking place in London, York and Poole, including a Best of Britain celebration cruise, Jubilee-themed gala dinner and traditional afternoon tea options including a quiz to test your royal knowledge. cityexperiences.com
2-5 June
London
The Birthday Parade, Trooping the Colour
The traditional parade to mark the Queen’s official birthday — usually held on the second Saturday in June — will start the Jubilee weekend in style, with over 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians. Beginning at Buckingham Palace, it will move down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, joined by members of the Royal Family along the way. qbp.army.mod.uk
2 June
Superbloom PE8A9748 CREDIT Historic Royal Palaces
Superbloom (Photo: Historic Royal Palaces)
Superbloom, Tower of London
The Tower of London is celebrating with a spectacular floral display as a vibrant field of flowers fill its moat for the specially commissioned Superbloom installation, as an added attraction alongside its history, legends and the Crown Jewels. hrp.org
1 June-18 September
The Royal Mews reopen
The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, where historic carriages still used for royal occasions are on display, will open to the public on 19 May for the first time since the autumn of 2020 (closed over the Jubilee weekend itself). Home to the Diamond Jubilee state coach, among others, there’s also a working stables and family trails to follow. rct.uk
19 May–2 October
This summer will also see special displays at official royal residences, including an exhibition of portraits at the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace, representing the Queen’s accession. Opening July 22.
Jubilee Joust, Hampton Court Palace
Knights from around the country will be joining a joust to celebrate the Jubilee in the gardens at Hampton Court Palace — choose your favourite knight and cheer them on in the home of kings and queens. Included in admission, with jousts taking place several times per day.
The palace will also have its own mini superbloom in the gardens (as will the Kensington Palace gardens) using a specially designed mix of seeds. hrp.org.uk
1-5 June
Royal Greenwich Together
Check out entertainment and activities from around the globe, plus funfair rides and food stalls to enjoy alongside the performances at Royal Greenwich Together, an event designed to celebrate the royal borough’s diversity. visitgreenwich.org.uk
2 June
Windsor VB34133287 CREDIT ©VisitBritain Craig Easton
The Long Walk at Windsor (Photo: VisitBritain/Craig Easton)
Windsor
As well as official events, including an exhibition in the castle from 7 July, and a concert of music from across the British Isles in St George’s Chapel on 3 June, you can explore Windsor on one of the Platinum Jubilee themed guided walks. Taking place on May weekends at 2.30pm, these will share the story of the Queen’s 70 years on the throne and her love of Windsor. windsor.gov.uk
Travel to Windsor in style with The Royal Charter luxury rail tour, departing from Crewe on 3 June, and giving those on board around five hours in the town. railwaybenefitfund.org.uk
Norfolk
Sandringham
Another of this year’s special exhibitions at the Royal Family’s country retreat, this display will showcase the Queen’s love of animals and nature, as well as the part Sandringham has played during her reign. sandringhamestate.co.uk/platinum-jubilee
Until 13 October
While you’re in Norfolk, the Bure Valley Railway is running a special Jubilee Journey on steam trains from 28 May 28-5 June from Aylsham Station. bvrw.co.uk
Manchester
Manchester Flower Show
Follow a floral trail or gardens and green installations around Manchester city centre to celebrate the Jubilee weekend, with a string of places to eat along the way, including options for afternoon tea. visitmanchester.com
2-5 June
Fit for a Queen Weekend
Head to Sackville Gardens in Manchester’s City Centre for the Fit For a Queen Weekend celebration; the musical flashback to the 90s and 00s includes performances from Atomic Kitten, Vengaboys, and The Cheeky Girls. fitforaqueen2022.intix.com
Yorkshire
Riotous Royals, East Yorkshire
Join chivalrous knights and musical monarchs at Riotous Royals, an outdoor performance featuring plenty of audience interaction and activities — the 45-minute walk through history from Rusticus Adventures takes place at Burnby Hall Gardens, Pocklington, and Sewerby Hall, near Bridlington. burnbyhallgardens.com/sewerbyhall.co.uk
1-2 June
Hampshire
Jubilee Exhibition at The SeaCity Museum, Southampton
Southampton’s SeaCity Museum, which celebrates some of the country’s most famous ships and voyages, has a special Queen’s Jubilee exhibition as part of its Southampton Stories gallery. Entitled Celebrating a Reign, the exhibition will showcase the ways the city has celebrated coronations and jubilees of various monarchs, as well as the city’s royal connections including Cunard’s ocean liner the Queen Elizabeth II. seacitymuseum.co.uk
Open now
Dogstival, Broadlands Park, Romsey
For a Jubilee weekend event with a difference, annual canine festival Dogstival will be getting a Platinum Jubilee theme this year, with canine thrones and ‘Barkingham Palace’ street parties. There will also be stand-up comedy plus dog-friendly food and activities (as well as plenty for non-canine visitors). dogstival.co.uk
4-5 June
The Royal Yacht Britannia ©Marc Millar - Copy
Royal Yacht Britannia (Photo: Marc Millar)
Scotland
The Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh
The Royal Yacht Britannia, home to the Queen and Royal Family for over 40 years, is hosting a string of special events to mark the Jubilee at its permanent home in Leith. With former Royal Yachtsmen taking up their duties once more, and celebratory dishes and cocktails in the Royal Deck Tea Room, there will also be a Corgi Treasure Hunt and musical entertainment for visitors in the State Apartments on 2 June — plus some private evening tours. royalyachtbritannia.co.uk
30 May – 3 June
Later in the year, the Palace of Holyrood House will also host a display looking at the Queen’s previous Jubilees, featuring outfits worn over the decades.
From 14 July -25 September.
Balmoral
There are more celebrations taking place at another of the Queen’s homes, on the Balmoral Estate — the Life at Balmoral exhibition will feature some of the Queen’s outfits, ranging from those worn to walk the dogs to the outfit from her last Jubilee. There will also be a special Jubilee celebration afternoon tea over Jubilee weekend, pipe bands performing, a birds of prey show and vintage bus display. balmoralcastle.com
2-5 June, exhibition runs to August
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