What is happening in Hyde Park for the Jubilee weekend?
Platinum Jubilee Beacons
In 1897, beacons were lit to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Lighting of the beacons are now a symbol of unity across towns, borders, countries, and continents. Beacons were lit in the past for The Queen’s Silver, Golden, and Diamond Jubilees in 1977, 2002, and 2012, respectively, and in 2016 for Her Majesty’s 90th birthday. The tradition will continue for the Platinum Jubilee. More than 1,500 beacons will be lit across the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, and UK Overseas Territories. The principal beacon, The Tree of Trees (a 21m tall ‘tree’ made up of 350 smaller trees), will be lit in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace at 9pm on June 2nd.
The Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour)
On June 2nd, over 1,400 marching soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians will gather and parade to celebrate The Queen’s official birthday! The Parade will begin at Buckingham Palace and will then proceed along The Mall to Horse Guard’s Parade, where it will be joined by members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages. The Parade will close with the traditional and spectacular RAF fly-past, which will be seen from the Buckingham Palace balcony by The Queen and members of the Royal Family. This is an event you will not want to miss!
Watch the Platinum Jubilee Pageant
On June 5th, over 6,500 performers from 54 Commonwealth countries, including volunteers, dancers, musicians, soldiers, and key workers, will come together to parade along The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace to commemorate the Queen’s reign over the last seven decades! Expect a lot of great entertainment, such as music, theatre, circus, carnivals, costumes, and street art — as well as a massive, multicoloured dragon puppet! Ed Sheeran, Sir Cliff Richard, Heston Blumenthal, Rosie Jones, Alan Titchmarsh, James Martin, Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Gary Lineker, Bill Bailey, Jeremy Irons, and Gok Wan are amongst the famous faces that will be attending the event. The Pageant will also fly 200 silk flags called the ‘River of Hope,’ which were designed by hundreds of schoolchildren to reflect how the world will look in 70 years.
Sunday 5th June The Big Jubilee Lunch:
Over 60,000 people have signed up to host a Big Jubilee Lunch over the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend, which will include events such as BBQs, live music, and competitive sports. As part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, over ten million people are anticipated to join Big Jubilee Lunches around the UK, to enjoy friendship, food, and fun! Big Jubilee Lunches are also being held across the world, with 600 countries participating in the celebrations, ranging from Canada to Brazil, New Zealand to Japan, and South Africa to Switzerland! You can find which neighbourhoods in London will be hosting a big lunch below:
