When
Sunday 3rd June 2012
Where
Wandsworth Bridge to Tower Bridge
Whats On
Celebrate the 60th year of Queen Elizabeth II's reign at the Thames Diamond Jubilee River Pageant, which sees over a thousand vessels take to the Thames in a spectacular river parade. The pageant is just one of the special events taking place over the long bank holiday weekend at the beginning of June.
Diamond Jubilee Weekend
Historic occasion
Winding its way along a seven and a half mile stretch of the Thames before ending in spectacular fashion by Tower Bridge, the flotilla celebrates the sixty year reign of Queen Elizabeth II with an unprecedented river extravaganza. Lead by the Queen herself, the flotilla includes everything from steam vessels to rowing boats, all decked out in Union Jacks and streamers.
Event highlights
An aural spectacle as much as a visual one, the pageant includes music barges as well as a floating belfry whose chiming bells will be answers by churches along the riverbank. Just past London Bridge, the flotilla will be greeted by a gun salute as it passes an avenue of sail made by traditional Thames sailing boats, naval vessels, oyster smacks and other ships.
From the riverbank
Around fifty big screens will be places along the route of the Thames Diamond Jubilee River Pageant so that the assembled crowds can watch all the action live. Meanwhile, in Battersea Park a festival will take place throughout the day, with music, a traditional funfair and jubilee themed entertainment for kids. Thames piers, roads by the river and bridges will go traffic free for the day, turning central London into a huge street party over the long bank holiday weekend.
Diamond Jubilee Festival at Battersea Park
03 Jun 2012
A Diamond Jubilee Festival at Battersea Park takes place over the weekend of the Queen's big celebrations giving residents and visitors the chance to party in true regal and retro style. Mixing up elements from the past few jubilees, you can expect a full on line up of DJs, live music, dancing, games, a pop up pub, makeovers and an alternative village fete.
Diamond Jubilee Festival at Battersea...
Jubilee Gun Salute at London Bridge
03 Jun 2012
A fitting finale to the Thames Diamond Jubilee River Pageant, the jubilee gun salute at London Bridge sees the Queen given a traditional military greeting as she leads over a thousand vessels along the Thames.
Formal gun salute
Taking place just downriver of London Bridge, the gun salute takes place just at the flotilla passes through an avenue of sail created by traditional Thames sailing boa...
Big Jubilee Lunch at Old Royal Naval College
03 Jun 2012
Head to Greenwich for a street party like no other as the Big Jubilee Lunch at Old Royal Naval College celebrates the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in grand style.
Greenwich street party
With live entertainment from local and community performers, food, craft and vintage stalls as well as a big screen, the Big Jubilee Lunch at Old Royal Naval College is an ideal occasion to gather with friends and f...