This weekend, the Queen will be celebrating 60 years on the throne. This means bunting, Union Jacks and an extra-long weekend.
As the country gears itself up for four days of celebration, here are the best ways to celebrate the Jubilee for free…
1. Watch the Thames Jubilee Pageant
1,000 boats from across the world will be taking to the Thames in what promises to be a spectacular royal pageant. The highlight of the flotilla will undoubtedly be the Gloriana – a £1m royal barge decorated with gold leaves.
The pageant kicks off at 2pm. It starts at Battersea Bridge and will finish up at Tower Bridge. Viewing screens will line the route and visitors are advised to head to designated viewing spots.
2pm, Sunday 3rd June
Battersea Bridge to Tower Bridge, London
Thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org
2. Light up Britain
From 10pm until 10.30pm, 4,000 beacons will be lit across the UK. As the clock strikes 10.30, the Queen will light a National Beacon in central London, marking the end of the BBC concert taking place that night.
Be part of the beacon experience. Find your nearest beacon here.
10pm, Monday 4th June
Nationwide
Diamond-jubilee-beacons.co.uk
3. Play your part in history
Get involved in this ambitious history project. Pick a day from the last 60 years and reveal why it’s important to you, using photos, videos, songs or poems. Upload your work into the online Jubilee time capsule. The best entries will be curated by a panel of judges and presented to the Queen.
4. Catch the celebrations live on the big screen
Watch the Jubilee Pageant, the BBC Buckingham Palace concert and the national thanksgiving service live on big screens across the country. To find your nearest screen, take a look here.
11am, Sunday 3rd June; 7pm, Monday 4th June, 9.15am, Tuesday 5th June
Nationwide
Thediamondjubilee.org/bbc-big-screens
5. Keep it classical
The National Festival Orchestra will be pitching up outside the White Lion Hotel in Aldeburgh for this free outdoor classical concert on the seafront.
Expect a traditional British fayre, face-painting, ‘Jubilee pints’ and fireworks as well as live music.
6.30pm, Sunday 3rd June
Aldeburgh, Suffolk
Promsbythesea.co.uk
6. Watch free movies at Rushcliffe Country Park
Rushcliffe Country Park will turn itself into an open-air cinema this weekend. The triple bill of family-friendly movies will include The Princess and the Frog, The Muppets and Super 8. The day will close with the lighting of a commemorative beacon by the Mayor of Rushcliffe.
3pm, Monday 4th June
Rushcliffe Country Park, Nottinghamshire
Rushcliffe.gov.uk
7. Feast at a table nearly one mile long!
The Old Royal Naval College is playing host to a Big Jubilee lunch – with a table 2/3 of a mile long! Expect live music, market stalls, workshops, children’s activities and great views of the Jubilee Pageant.
12noon, Sunday 3rd Jine
Greenwich, London
ORNC.org
8. Take to the streets
Nearly 10,000 street parties will be taking place up and down the country this weekend. While some are small neighbourhood events, others are free and open to the public. Exeter Quay will be playing host to live music, Punch and Judy shows, face-painting, street performers and beer festivals on the waterfront. In Bristol’s Museum Square, there’ll be family activities, fancy dress competitions and live music from the Bristol Chamber Choir. In Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk expect singers, street entertainers and face painters on Saturday afternoon by the Quay.
For events in your area, take a look at your local council website.
9. Go medieval
For medieval encampments, puppets, entertainers, musicians and royal lookalikes, head to Lincoln Castle. The night will close with three eminent types from Lincolnshire lighting three beacons, as a part of the Jubilee beacon activity.
7pm, Monday 4th June
Lincoln Castle, Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire.gov.uk
10. Get arty
Is your child a budding artist? Get to the Chiltern Gateway Centre for a Jubilee-themed art day. There’ll be workshops for the kids and a photography exhibition. Expect a street-party themed marquee and live artist demonstrations in this area of outstanding beauty. Incidentally this spot is great for kite-flying, so make sure you bring one along!
11am, Saturday 2nd June
Chiltern Gateway Centre, Bedfordshire
Nationaltrust.org.uk/dunstable-downs-chilterns-gateway-and-whipsnade-estate
{Image: Iker Merodio}
