Diamond Jubilee events
Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant
2pm, Sunday 3 June, Battersea Bridge
One of the highlights of the Jubilee weekend will be the Thames Pageant, where up to a thousand boats will gather on the river, from the smallest rowing boat to giant military vessels. The flotilla will make its way down the Thames, starting at Battersea Bridge at 2pm and making its way to Tower Bridge by 6pm. An estimated 30,000 people will make the water-bound voyage, with hundreds of thousands cheering them along from the river banks. www.thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org
Jubilee Beacons
Monday 4 June, 10pm, across the country
Another of the integral celebrations is the lighting of a network of over 4,000 special Jubilee beacons – giant bonfires that will snake across the country, with the Queen lighting the final one at 10.30pm in central London. Similar beacons will be lit at 10pm across the Commonwealth, with the furthest afield in the UK located in Shetland. Highlights will be the lighting of beacons across Hadrian’s wall (starting at 10.10pm) and atop the highest peaks in each of the countries in the UK – Ben Nevis, Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Slieve Donard (10.29pm). The event organisers have even applied to the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest chain of Beacons ever. To see where your closest beacon is located check the interactive map at www.diamondjubileebeacons.co.uk.
Diamond Jubilee Festival at Battersea Park
Sunday 3 June, Battersea Park, 12pm
The best place to watch the boat pageant will be the Thames banks at Battersea Park, where a festival featuring vintage music, dance, crafts and a funfair will begin at midday. Those hoping to toast Her Majesty’s flotilla can find liquid refreshments in a pop-up pub in the park. And for food? Why, let them eat cake! A diamond encrusted stand will hold 1,000 cakes and bakers Konditor and Cook have created a portrait of the Queen made of 3,120 cakes (“one for each week of her reign”). Tickets £5 adults, children free. Go to www.thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org for details.
Diamond Geezer
Until 9 June, WW Gallery, 34-35 Hatton Garden EC1N 8DX
For an alternative take on the celebrations, head over to the WW Gallery, where you can find an exhibition featuring portraits of Her Maj by contemporary artists. Many of the paintings echo the iconic sleeve for 1977 Sex Pistols single God Save the Queen, with others poking fun at the royal family’s German roots. The gallery says the “ironic” exhibition, while sometimes provocative, is not explicitly anti-monarchy, instead examining the “paradox of our national ambivalence” towards the institution. Artists on display include Cathy Lomax, Jasper Joffe, Alex Michon and Dick Jewell.
www.wilsonwilliamsgallery.com
The Big British Bang at Selfridges
Until 24 June, Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street
If you feel like contributing to the health of the British economy over the weekend’s festivities through a little retail therapy, head over to Selfridges, where there will be a plethora of Jubilee-themed events. The famous department store promises to host fashion exhibitions, pop-up shops and special goings on in the Tiara Shop within the Wonder Room. Go to style.selfridges.com/store/london.