Diamond Jubilee guide: Exciting events during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations

Overwhelming joy in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee

Queen Elizabeth II marks her 60th year on the throne this year, but the height of celebrations won’t kick until June 2, with highlights during the grandest of all the flotilla parades the Thames will ever witness on June 3. June 4 and 5 are bank holidays, so it is expected that public celebrations will continue until these days. For your complete guide during the Jubilee festivities, check out the schedule below so you don’t miss the fun and excitement and the whole nation—and maybe even the world—celebrates the spectacular reign of the Queen whom everybody loves. 

Saturday, June 2 – Epsom Derby

The Queen will join Day 2 of the Epsom Derby. Organizers expect a surge of audience to this horseracing event. From last year’s 135,000, it’s expected to draw a little over 200,000 crowds. Her Majesty will also visit the paddock to address eager trainers and jockeys before she proceeds to the Red Arrows display and the photo exhibits.

Sunday, June 3 – River Thames Pageant and Big Jubilee Lunch

Route of the River Parade

The River Thames Pageant is expected to highlight the weekend events, with 1,000 boats to escort the Queen’s own lavishly decorated royal barge, Gloriana, while treading the Thames.

Expect to see a sea of red, white, and blue to wash over the streets and along the riverbank. Church bells, foghorns, fireworks, and music will join forces to shout the jubilation over Her Majesty’s 60 glorious years as queen.

More than 5,000 police and 7,000 private stewards will work together to check more than 30,000 people. Bridges and riverside roads are to be closed, although Lambeth, Westminster and Blackfriars bridges will be open to public.

Heavy traffic is expected, so the public is advised to leave their cars at home and ride public transports, instead.

At Battersea Park, festival a festival for the family will take place along the route, while big screens will be placed along the River Thames route and at two ticket-only festivals in Hyde Park and Battersea Park.

For the Big Jubilee Lunch, everyone is encouraged to bring their own packed lunched and share them with neighbors and friends during street parties and picnics to bring the community together.

June 4 – Jubilee Picnic, BBC Concert, and Jubilee Beacons

Buckingham Palace will glow at the height of the Diamond Jubilee festivities

BBC, with singer Gary Barlow, will organize a special concert at Buckingham Palace to be attended by Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, and other members of the Royal Family. Meanwhile, a select guests shall be chosen by ballot to attend the Jubilee Picnic in the Buckingham Palace Gardens.

The concert will begin 7:30 pm, featuring some of Britain’s most popular performers including Shirley Bassey, Alfie Boe, Jools Holland, Jessie J, Tom Jones, Elton John, and Paul McCartney. After the concer ends at around 10:22 pm, more than 4,000 beacons will be lit through UK and the around the world to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.

June 5 – Service, Carriage Procession, Balcony Appearance

Route of the carriage procession

The final day of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations will be solemn, marked by a national service of thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral. This will be followed by two receptions, at Mansion House and Guildhall, a lunch at Westminster Hall to be attended by Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, and a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace, with a balcony appearance and a fly-past. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will be riding the 1902 State Landau.

Armed forces will line the procession route and the King's Troop will fire a 60-gun salute during the procession.

After reaching Buckingham Palace, the Royal Family will appear on the balcony and watch an RAF flypast. Then, in the forecourt, The Queen's Guard will perform a Feu de Joie - a cascade of rifle fire interspersed by the National Anthem.

Thousands of spectators are expected to flock the Mall while ticket-holders having prime viewing spots at the Queen Victoria memorial outside Buckingham Palace will have fun seeing the best that the Diamond Jubilee celebrations have to offer.