London Platinum Jubilee events 2022: Five things to do on the bank holiday weekend from June 2-5

On February 6 2022, Queen Elizabeth II became the longest-serving British monarch ever, completing 70 loyal, tireless years on the throne.

A series of celebrations and events will take place in London over a special four-day bank holiday weekend from Thursday June 2 to Sunday June 5, in line with when her actual coronation took place on 2 June 1953.

From flag-waving parades to street festivals, we’ve rounded up five of the best Platinum Jubilee 2022 events happening in London over the special four-day weekend.

Queen’s Birthday Parade

Horse Guards Parade, 13 Macclesfield St, W1D 5BR, The Mall, SW1A 1AA Thursday June 2 Tickets are sold out; free from The Mall

The official Jubilee weekend kickstarts with a dedicated Trooping The Colour procession in front of the Queen herself at Horse Guards Parade.

A tradition that is believed to date back to the 17th century, it will see thousands of soldiers perform alongside up to 400 musicians and will be quite the military-precise extravaganza.

Tickets have already been allocated by ballot or sold out, but you can catch a limited view at The Mall by St James’s Park from 9am, where you can also watch a fly-by from the Royal Air Force at 1pm. Make sure to take a picnic.

Platinum Jubilee Pageant 2022

The Mall, SW1A 1AA Sunday June 5 Free entry

More than 6,500 performers, including volunteers, dancers, musicians, soldiers and key workers, from no less than 54 Commonwealth countries will march along The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace and around the nearby streets to celebrate not only the Queen’s reign, but also her subjects everywhere during the last seven decades.

The pageant will combine pomp and ceremony, street arts, theatre, music, circus, costumes as well as cutting-edge visual technology, drawing on talent from every part of the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth.

It will tell the story of the Queen’s reign, as well as fly 200 silk flags entitled the River of Hope, created by hundreds of school children to reflect how they would like the planet to look in 70 years.

Southbank Centre’s Jubilee festivities

Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX June 1 to 5 Tickets from £5 to £54 (various events)

The Southbank Centre is hosting a programme of “official” and “alternative” Royal Command performances to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee.

Highlights include musical performances from the Nu Civilisation Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

On the Sunday there will be a free ticketed screening of Danny Boyle’s new series Pistols, which charts the rise of the Sex Pistols and the punk revolution in Britain as well as a panel discussion with Danny Boyle about the series, the punk movement’s explosion in the summer of ‘77 and its enduring legacy.

The weekend will also feature a right royal knees up from London’s most glamorous daytime club, The Posh Club - a performance, dance and social club for older people created by the LGBTQI+ club Duckie.

StrEATlife at Alexandra Palace,

Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY June 3 and 4 Free entry

Alexandra Palace’s free street food and craft beer festival, soundtracked by a line-up of live music and DJs, returns to the Palace on the Diamond Jubilee weekend.

Thousands of revellers can enjoy food from over 30 street vendors that will be taking over Ally Pally’s south Terrace, with its unrivalled panoramic views over London.

Meanwhile, to stop anyone going thirsty, some of London’s finest craft beer and cocktails will be on offer.

The all-star line-up of vendors covers everything from Venezuelan street food Guasa to Jerk chicken from The Jam Shack, Zero Sushi to BBQ from Smokoloko, The Greedy Vegan to the Choy House. Plus plenty of craft beer from the likes of Five Points, London Brewing. Redemption, Tiny Rebel and more.

Seven Dials’ Jubilee Celebrations

Seven Dials, 35 Earlham St, WC2H 9LD June 2 to 5 Free

To celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the streets of Seven Dials will be full of events, activities, masterclasses and bespoke menus that celebrate all things 1950s, the decade of the Queen’s coronation.

With everything from 50s themed stretching classes and 50s themed haircuts to royal afternoon teas and Queen-themed nail art pop-ups, there’s something for everyone to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.

There’s also a flower crown-making workshop, Queen-themed cocktails, an English sparkling wine tasting session and even a burlesque masterclass.

Full details of the programme can be found on their website.