Where to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in London
Old-fashioned street parties and plenty of Pimm's: here’s how to get involved with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll no doubt be aware that on 2 June 2022, Her Majesty the Queen will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee, commemorating a landmark 70 years of service to Great Britain and the Commonwealth. Brits have been given an extra bank holiday in order to allow for the celebrations, and with four days off work to look forward to (during which pubs will be allowed to open until 1am), we’re already making plans for how to spend the long weekend.
Aside from the official calendar of events taking place over the weekend – Trooping of the Colour on Thursday, the Party at the Palace on Saturday and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant on Sunday – the capital’s restaurants, bars and cultural institutions are busy hanging bunting, firing up the barbecues and perfecting their Pimms ahead of the biggest weekend of the year. From summer fetes and set menus, to art festivals and more, here’s our pick of where to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee in London.
Mayfair Jubilee Street Party
When? 2-3 June 2022Where? North Audley StreetWhat’s on? Banqueting, cocktails and live entertainement
Looking to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a good old-fashioned street party? Mayfair is throwing what promises to be the most epic one in town. For two days, the neighbourhood will be pedestrianising North Audley Street to host a communal feast on a 200-foot banqueting table decorated by Lay London. Festooned with wild flowers inspired by Britain’s royal estates, the gorgeous tablescape will be accompanied by Jubilee-themed dishes from some of Mayfair’s finest restaurants, special cocktails and a soundtrack of live jazz.
Annabel’s, Mayfair
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When? 23 May – 12 June 2022Where? 46 Berkeley Square, W1J 5ATWhat’s on? Floral installations, Joanna Lumley and special menus
Mayfair private member’s club Annabel’s can always be counted on to pull out all the stops for a special occasion and it’s found a suitably spectacular way to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. As well as a series of floral installations dedicated to Her Majesty throughout the club and its garden, Annabel’s will be hosting a special breakfast with Dame Joanna Lumley. Celebrating the release of her new book A Queen for All Seasons: A Celebration of Our One and Only Queen Elizabeth II on Her Platinum Jubilee, Lumley will be in conversation with writer and historian Tim Pleydell-Bouverie. Alongside the event, Annabel’s will be offering a special gin martini inspired by the one the Queen opted for when she visited the nightclub in 2003, as well as a limited edition afternoon tea.
Maddox Gallery, Westbourne Grove
When? 21 April – 19 June 2022Where? 112 Westbourne Grove, W2 5RUWhat’s on? Best of British
If you’re craving culture this Bank Holiday weekend, indulge in some contemporary art history at Best of British, a retrospective exhibition examining the loosely-defined art collective, the YBAs, which emerged in the late 1980s, helmed by Damien Hirst. On display at Maddox Gallery’s Westbourne Grove outpost, with pieces by artists including Hirst, Tracey Emin, David Hockney and Yuki Aruga, the exhibition honours the work of the esteemed collective and the British artists whose work their legacy has inspired.
Visit maddoxgallery.com
The Cinnamon Club, Westminster
When? 2 May – 4 June 2022Where? The Old Westminster Library, Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BUWhat’s on? Queen’s Jubilee Set Menu
Never one to pass up a celebration, the Cinnamon Club’s Vivek Singh has curated a fine-dining fusion feast fit for royalty to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. Kicking things off with canapés, including home-cured Shetland salmon carpaccio and jackfruit and lotus root skewers, the extravagant five-course £70 set menu then moves on to starters of lamb mille-feuille or Kadhai spiced asparagus with chickpea and yoghurt gnocchi.
For the main event, enjoy chargrilled Balmoral Estate venison with a smoky black stone flower reduction and masala mashed potatoes, or a selection of signature Cinnamon dishes if you’re not game for game. Desserts include sticky ginger toffee pudding topped with cinnamon ice cream, spiced date pancakes with banana and miso caramel sorbet, or a royal malai kulfi with caramelised quinoa and raspberry crisp. Raise a toast and wash things down in a fitting tribute to Her Maj with a refreshing Westminster Gin & Tonic, or indulge in petit fours and coffee after your meal in the Old Library Bar.
Visit cinnamonclub.com
45 Park Lane, Mayfair
When? 4 May – 20 June 2022Where? 45 Park Lane, W1K 1PNWhat’s on? Presence by Rob Munday
See HM the Queen in a brand new light at Presence, the latest solo exhibition from preeminent British holographic artist Rob Munday, currently on display at 45 Park Lane. Alongside Munday’s series of large-scale light sculptures examining themes of entity, reality and the essence of existence, the show will feature a new, never-before-seen holographic portrait of Queen Elizabeth, titled Platinum Queen: Felicity.
Visit dorchestercollection.com
Sotheby’s, Mayfair
When? 28 May – 15 June 2022Where? 34 – 35 New Bond Street, W1S 2RPWhat’s on? Jubilee Arts Festival
For the Jubilee season, Sotheby’s is set to open its doors for an Arts Festival celebrating the alchemy of British creativity. Alongside rare opportunities to see artworks and jewellery on loan from some of the country’s finest private collections, the renowned auction house is presenting a series of cultural and historical talks, debates, panels and events including live music from Fantasia Orchestra, poetry workshops with Theresa Lola and RADA immersive performances. But the fun isn’t only for the grown-ups: on Saturday 4 June the auction house is hosting a family day, with events including a family-friendly ‘Battle of the Bears’ debate pitting Paddington against Pooh, and an appearance from acclaimed author Michael Morpurgo, reading from his new book, There Once Is A Queen, which recounts the story of Queen Elizabeth II’s life.
Visit sothebys.com
The Little Yellow Door, Notting Hill
When? 2 June 2022Where? 6-8 All Saints Road, W11 1HHWhat’s on? British Icons House Party
Four-day weekend got you in the mood for a right royal knees-up without the hassle of the clean-up? Ring in the long weekend in style at Notting Hill’s favourite party palace, The Little Yellow Door. Dress code is British icons, so dig out your Union Jack mini dresses and Sergeant Pepper suits and get ready to get down to Britpop classics and sing-along anthems, spun well into the early hours of Friday morning as you dance the night away.
Visit thelittleyellowdoor.com
Petersham Nurseries, Richmond
When? 3 – 4 June 2022Where? Off Church Lane, Petersham Road, TW10 7ABWhat’s on? Platinum Jubilee Summer Fete
For the Jubilee weekend, Petersham Nurseries’ picturesque Richmond home will play host to a traditional British summer fête on the banks of the River Thames. Expect classic street-party and village fete fare, with everything from finger food classics and prosecco-fuelled cream teas, to smoky barbecue favourites and Italian-inspired treats. And with live music, stalls and community competitions to keep you entertained as you sip away on a summer fruit cocktail or Haye Farm cider, all you need to bring is your picnic blanket.
Visit petershamnurseries.com
ME London partners with Gone Rogue
When? 25 – 30 JuneWhere? ME London hotel, Strand, London WC2R 1HAWhat’s on? A boldly coloured art exhibition from Gone Rogue, celebrating Her Majesty
ME London on the Strand has partnered with collaborative art curator Gone Rogue on a Queen of Arts exhibition. Her Majesty is depicted in neon-bright splashes and graffiti-style scrawls, by a selection of esteemed London artists including Heath Kane and Hannah Nijsten. Exclusive works are on display throughout the hotel’s Marconi Lobby Lounge from 25-30 June, as a fitting welcome to the modern London hotel. We encourage you to order a cocktail and admire the view.
The Stafford, St James
When? 5 June 2022Where? 16 – 18 St James’s Place, SW1A 1NJWhat’s on? The Stafford Street Party
For those who fancy the excitement of a street party with all the comfort of a fine-dining restaurant, luxury hotel The Stafford will be commemorating the Platinum Jubilee with a decadent street party in its stunning St James courtyard. For £80 a head, guests will enjoy exceptional British party food including smoked salmon sandwiches, coronation chicken tarts, chargrilled Hope Farm lamb, a traditional Eton mess and a welcome drink courtesy of English vineyard, Nyetimber.
Visit thestaffordlondon.com
Read more: Brilliant things to do in London this month
