In 2022, Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. Marking 70 years of service, people across the UK and around the world will come together to celebrate this historic reign.
The entire United Kingdom will be celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee over an exciting four day weekend from Friday 3rd to Monday 6th June – yes, that’s an extra bank holiday!
Want to mark this historic occasion but not sure how to get involved? Don’t worry, there’s still time! We’ve got lots of ideas for things you can do—some big and some small—to enjoy a fun extended weekend with your friends and family. Here’s the rundown…
1. Join a street party
Nothing screams Jubilee celebrations more than a street party. The UK has a long history of organised street parties to celebrate national events, so find out what’s happening where you live. Plus, it’s a great way to get to know everyone if you’ve recently moved home.
Not sure what’s happening in your area? Take a look at these Platinum Jubilee events to find one that’s local to you.
2. String up some bunting
Bring some colour into your home with some royal-themed bunting. With a nod to British heritage, fabric bunting is classic street party decoration. So whether you’re having friends round or just having a cuppa while watching the celebrations on TV, bunting is a must-have when marking the Queen’s Jubilee.
Bunting is super easy to make and it’s a great craft for kids too. Start by cutting triangles from any scrap fabric you might have lying around. Then use a hole punch to punch two holes through the top corners of the fabric. Finally, thread a piece of ribbon or string through the holes and hang.
3. The Big Jubilee Lunch
To coincide with the Platinum Jubilee, The Big Jubilee Lunch will be taking place on Sunday 5th June. It’s the UK’s annual celebration for communities, with the aim of encouraging people to get to know their neighbours a little better.
Whether it’s sharing a cuppa on the doorstep or a bigger bash in the street, join millions of people across the UK to share friendship, food and fun with The Big Jubilee Lunch.
Find out more about the Big Jubilee Lunch and get your free pack full of last minute ideas, inspiration and recipes.
4. Beacon lighting
The UK has a long tradition of celebrating Royal Jubilees, Coronations and weddings through beacon lighting. And the Platinum Jubilee Beacons is the first community event of the four-day Jubilee Weekend.
Why not light beacons or get involved in beacon lighting within your community on the evening of 2nd June? Discover more about Jubilee Beacons.
5. Throw a Platinum Jubilee BBQ
If there aren’t any street parties going on in your area, why not invite your neighbours round for a BBQ? But rather than serving the usual burgers and sausages, AHDB are encouraging us to make our barbecues more majestic by including pork, lamb and beef steaks alongside the old favourites.
The campaign, ‘Royal up your BBQ’, will tempt us with delicious yet simple ideas for adding new recipes to our Platinum Jubilee barbecues.
6. Bake a Jubilee cake
Celebrate the occasion by organising a fun ‘bake-off’ competition between family and friends. Or why not invite your neighbours to bake cakes and share a Jubilee picnic together in your local park?
Choose Great British classics, like Victoria sponge, fruit cakes, lemon drizzle and trifles. Or you can decorate cakes and biscuits along a ‘royal’ theme. Enjoy with a brew, and then guests can vote on the winner at the end of the day.
7. The Queen’s Green Canopy
The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people from across the UK to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”.
Everyone from individuals to Scout and Girl guiding groups, villages, cities, schools and businesses will be encouraged to play their part to enhance our environment by planting trees during the official planting season between October to March.
Find out how to get involved with The Queen’s Green Canopy.
8. Host an afternoon tea
You can’t celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee without some afternoon tea. Invite your friends round and focus the menu on good local produce.
Serve finger sandwiches with coronation chicken, egg mayonnaise, smoked salmon, and cucumber. And of course, not forgetting classic scones – cream then jam, or jam then cream?
9. Go for a pub lunch
Pub culture is an integral part of British life, so why not enjoy the celebrations at your local? Pubs across the UK will be hosting an incredible lineup of events. Alongside the perfect drinks to toast and food to feast on.
And nothing says British like good old pub grub. Eating fish and chips has been a longstanding tradition in the UK on a Friday – so why stop now? Head down to your favourite watering hole this bank holiday weekend and enjoy the fun with your loved ones.
Of course there are lots of other last minute things you can do to mark this historic occasion. Or why not just enjoy the festivities from the comfort of your home? Events across the Platinum Jubilee weekend will be broadcast live on BBC One, including:
- Trooping the Colour (The Queen’s Birthday Parade) will see more than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians coming together in the traditional Parade to mark The Queen’s official birthday. Beginning at Buckingham Palace, the Parade will move down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade. And it will close with the traditional RAF fly-past, watched by The Queen and members of the Royal Family from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
- The Platinum Jubilee Pageant will have an exciting carnival feel, and will combine street arts, theatre, music, circus, and costume to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service, love of the natural world and dedication to the Commonwealth. And children from across the UK will play a part in the ‘River of Hope’ procession, consisting of two hundred silk flags resembling a moving river down The Mall.
- BBC’s Platinum Party at the Palace, which will take place on Saturday 4th June at Buckingham Palace, will be broadcast live to millions of viewers. With a glittering group of performers from the worlds of music and dance set to perform, including Queen + Adam Lambert, Duran Duran, Andrea Bocelli, Alicia Keys, Nile Rodgers, Craig David and Diversity – all performing in a star-studded tribute to Her Majesty’s unprecedented anniversary. Sir David Attenborough, David Beckham, Stephen Fry, Dame Julie Andrews and The Royal Ballet will also make appearances. As well as a specially recorded performance from Sir Elton John.
To find out what else is happening across the UK and to download the Platinum Jubilee Toolkit with lots of useful templates and materials to help you with your celebrations, visit platinumjubilee.gov.uk
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