Announcement of plans for the central Diamond Jubilee weekend in 2012

Buckingham Palace has today announced plans for the central weekend to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

The main programme will take place from Saturday 2nd June to Tuesday 5th June with celebratory activities throughout the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth. Further details of these events and of other national and regional Diamond Jubilee events will be announced in due course.

Saturday 2nd June, 2012

The Queen will attend the Epsom Derby.

Sunday 3rd June, 2012

The Big Jubilee Lunch: Building on the already popular Big Lunch initiative, people will be encouraged to share lunch with neighbours and friends as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. This may take the form of a traditional street party or a picnic lunch in small or larger groups. This event is being organised by the Big Lunch, http://www.thebiglunch.com/

The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant: This event will take place on the Thames and consist of up to 1,000 boats assembled from across the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world. The Queen will travel in the Royal Barge which will lead the flotilla. This event is being organised by the Thames Diamond Jubilee Foundation, http://www.thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org/

Monday 4th June, 2012

BBC Concert at Buckingham Palace: There will be a televised Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace with tickets being available to UK residents by public ballot. The musical programme for the concert is still being planned and is expected to feature British and Commonwealth musicians. Details on how to apply for the concert will be available in due course. This event is being organised by the BBC.

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Beacons: A network of 2,012 Beacons will be lit by communities and individuals throughout the United Kingdom, as well as the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Commonwealth. As in 2002, The Queen will light the National Beacon. The beacons project is being organised by Diamond Jubilee Beacons Ltd.

Tuesday 5th June, 2012

Service of Thanksgiving and Carriage Procession: There will be a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral and a formal carriage Procession by The Queen.

Commonwealth Realms and other Commonwealth nations will be creating their own events in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee. In addition, they will be represented at, and involved with, the events taking place over the central weekend, including the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on 3rd June and the Service of Thanksgiving on 5th June.

Further details for all Diamond Jubilee events will be released early in 2012. The Government has today launched its dedicated Diamond Jubilee Directgov website - www.direct.gov.uk/diamondjubilee - which will feature regularly updated public information about the Diamond Jubilee.