Unless you've been living under a rock then you'll know that this Friday is the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. And to mark the Queen's 70th year on the throne, we've been given an extra day off on Friday, June 3 to celebrate, sing the national anthem and generally just be merry.
The holiday falls the day after the Spring Bank Holiday on Thursday, June 2, which means that many will be able to enjoy four-day weekend. Across the extended weekend, thousands of street parties and events will take place up and down the country, so expect to see plenty of red, white and blue bunting and copious amounts of party food doing the rounds.
Of course Greater Manchester is well and truly ready to celebrate in style, and whether its street parties, parades, BBQs or the Cheeky Girls singing their hearts out (yes, really), there's sure to be something for everyone. Below, you'll find plenty of Jubilee weekend inspiration to keep you busy over the bank holiday.
All Weekend:
IWM North Exhibition
Throughout June, the striking architecture of IWM North's main exhibition space will host projections of film and photography that show the Queen's long history of involvement with the military and demonstrate the various roles she has played in war and peacetime. Beginning with her first official engagements as a young royal, visitors will be able to view a rich selection of rarely seen archive materials that charts her life in an immersive and reflective setting.
Free event with general admission.
The Manchester Flower Show
City centre shops and businesses will be transformed into a floral extravaganza as the popular flower takeover returns this weekend. The Queen's Jubilee Trail will feature ten beautiful displays located across the city centre inspired by the Queen's 70 years of service, the Crown Jewels, The Changing of the Guard and the Queen's love of horses.
More details here.
First Street Festival
Following the success of Homeground in 2021, HOME is hosting First Street Festival, a five-week (weekends) event in Tony Wilson Place from Thursday, June 2. Kicking off in time for the Jubilee weekend, visitors can expect a variety of free activities including live music, family events, drag performances, yoga, DJs and more.
Jubilee Weekender Street Party at Hatch
Expect a platinum line-up of events over at Hatch this weekend, from all-star DJs and and live music, to food and drink form all the shipping container village's host or traders. The party begins with a ‘After Office Hours’ special night of drinks on Wednesday, with DJs playing ‘til late.
That leads nicely to Thursday, June 2 and ‘Cheers To You Lizzie’, with a day party commencing at 6pm where there will be live music from The Hatch House Band and DJ Ben Random dropping the finest beats and remixes. One theme, there will also be a 'Lizzie Windsor' cocktail on sale - a mix of Beefeater London Dry Gin, white chocolate, strawberry jam and cream.
More details here.
RHS Garden Bridgewater Jubilee Weekend
RHS Bridgewater will be celebrating 70 years of the Queen's reign with performances from the Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band, Astley Youth Band and Farnworth and Walkden Band, along with the commemorative planting of the final tree in The Queen's Green Canopy in Victoria Meadow.
To enter the garden, you can book a slot here.
Queen's Jubilee Weekender - Nell's at Kampus
Celebrate the Queen by painting her in pop art style over at Nell's pizza this bank holiday weekend, or simply grab a slice of pizza (exclusively 50% off), if that's more your style. On Thursday night get yourself down to Kampus for drag karaoke and quizzing with Miss Blair & Lill and Girls Night Out DJ Monopoly on decks, while on check out Friday Meme Gold who will be kicking off happy hour followed by a live set from Superlative and Karis Jade.
More details here.
East Lancs Railway Jubilee event
The East Lancs Railway is inviting you to dust off your best polka dot dress, polish your dancing shoes and climb aboard a heritage steam train to celebrate the best of Britain. Up and down the 12-mile line, there will be live entertainment, re-enactments and speeches, stalls with vintage clothing and memorabilia, music and dancing with the Backstep Boogie Club and spitfire and Hurricane fly pasts.
Book your ticket here.
YES Rooftop Takeover
Three of the most diverse collectives and communities will be taking over the rooftop at YES across the Jubilee weekend. Tickets are free for the three-day musical extravaganza, which includes Me Gusta on Thursday, Tough Act on Friday and Rainy City Radio on Saturday. There will also be 2-4-1 cocktails, half-price pizza, plus 50 free drinks for early-bird guests - so make sure to get there early.
A Right Royal Knees Up at Albert Schloss
We've got some food and drink exclusives over at Albert Schloss the weekend, from the Royal Coronation Chicken Bagel through to some delectable kronuts and cruffins bursting with English flavours. Drinks wise, Beefeater and Lillet have assembled three exclusive cocktails - The Windsor Gin, Lillet Summer Cup and the Royal Spritz. Expect the usual stellar line-up of acts and entertainment across the weekend also.
4-Day Weekender at Ducie Street Warehouse
The long weekender will see live performances, from cabaret to drag queens, and the very best DJs gracing the venue – both inside the warehouse-chic venue and the sun-drenched terrace. Alongside DJ sets, the space will also host a BBQ experience, as well as its famous big disco brunch with bottomless cocktails and champagne.
The Scandalous Affair at Ducie Street Warehouse is free entry.
Thursday:
An Evening with Queen
Stars from London's smash hit West End musical theatre show 'We Will Rock You' will descend on Stockport County's Edgeley Park on Thursday, performing some of Queen's greatest hits. The event will take place from 6.30pm with support acts leading up to the big show and food and drink from traders including the Great North Pie Co.
Tickets from £15 and can be bought here.
Red Bank Cider Fete
Nothing says summer is here than a nice chilled glass of cider, and lucky for us the team at Hogan's Cider have put together a line-up of bevs to enjoy at GRUB across the weekend. They will also be plenty of vegan street food on offer from the likes of Bon Streetfood, Goodtimes Taco and Oi Dumplings, all set to a backdrop of live DJ sets. Entry is a fiver and includes a free glass.
Get your tickets here.
God Rave The Queen
DJ collective Meat Free are taking over a secret location in the city and The White Hotel with an unmissable ensemble of DJs. The day party will begin a 12.30pm on Thursday and will include the like of Ben Simms, Freddy K, DVS1 and Stephanie Sikes, while the night party will include Rene Wise and SORAYA play at the hotel until 8am the next day.
More details here.
Celebrate the Platinum Jubilee at King Street Townhouse
This bank holiday, King Street Townhouse will be celebrating with a series of events and a floral makeover fit for a Queen. Local florists, North & Flower, will decorate the exterior and interior of the iconic Manchester City Centre hotel with sustainably sourced, locally grown flowers for the Jubilee-themed Manchester Flower Show, and the hotel will also host a special afternoon tea complete with floral flavoured teas and the option of a bespoke cocktail.
There will also be a weekend of classic British films hosted in the King Street Townhouse Cinema, starting from £15 for just the screening. Films will include Notting Hill, Bridget Jones, Mary Poppins, Paddington, The Gentlemen and Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels between Thursday and Sunday.
The Queen’s Jubilee celebrations at King Street Townhouse are now available to book online or via events@KingStreetTownhouse.co.uk
Friday:
Street Eat festival
A foodie one for Rochdale, where a right royal feast will be served up as part of the Street Eat festival, which makes its return for the first time since 2019. The food-focused event will take place at The Butts in the city centre from 11am to 7pm on Friday, and will see local traders - including Bombay Brew, The Medicine Tap, and Uno Burrito - serve up tasty dishes and thirst-quenching drinks. There will also be Punch and Judy shows for kids, while musical entertainment will come from the likes of Jackson Kay, Noel Fraser and Turners Dance School.
Visit www.rochdalebid.co.uk for more info.
The Refuge's Jubilee Street Party
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel will be taking over the Refuge's terrace for a Jubilee party like no other on Friday. Taking place from 2pm, it will feature a diverse range of up-and-coming talent alongside established names from around Manchester playing music with a tongue-in-cheek nod' to the royals.
Eves’Drop Collective, La Presidenta aka Ms. Puerto Rico, and Reggae DJ, UK Hip Hop pioneer and producer Mikey D.O.N. are amongst those taking over the decks.
Tickets (including entry, street food nibbles and a signature cocktail) can be found here.
Trevor Nelson's Soul Nation at Band On The Wall
Legendary broadcaster and DJ Trevor Nelson will be putting in an appearance at Band On The Wall on Friday to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The Soul Nation party marks two years since he performed at the venue, and you can expect lots of 80s, 90s and 00s soul, R&B and hip-hop to carry you into the weekend.
Drag Queen Bingo
Pong & Puck at the Great Northern Warehouse will be hosting a special music drag bingo night for fans of 80s, 90s and 00s tunes from 7pm on Friday. Hosted by Miss Ginger Hunter, the night will encompass a crown making competition and prosecco pong alongside musical bingo, royal quizzes and of course plenty of royal sass.
Circle Square party
Circle Square on Oxford Road will host a Jubilee party on June 3 from 11am until 6pm at Symphony Park (M1 7ED). You can expect a wide array of pop-up food and drink vendors, including freshly baked goods from Tahi and 'queen' bear ice cream cones from Hello Oriental.
There will also be a variety of family-friendly activities and live entertainment on offer, while The Blossoming Big Red Bus will feature a ‘Queen’tessentially’ British floral display as part of the Manchester Flower Show.
Saturday:
Stockport Secret Street Party
Hosted along Stockport's Underbanks, the 'top secret' event will feature live music from The Tall Faces Band as well as local duo Blank Cheque and DJ sets from Clint Boon and SK1 Records. Activities wise, there's jewellery making workshops, painting and a comic book event with a local comic book artist. Guests will be encouraged to grab a bite to eat from local food and drink operators including Yellowhammer, Bistro Marc and Cherry Jam amongst others.
Fit For A Queen
Manchester’s Gay Village will celebrate the Jubilee with the ‘Fit for A Queen’ festival at Sackville Gardens on Saturday. Hosted by drag queen Victoria Secret, the event will play host to the Vengaboys, Cascada, Atomic Kitten, Big Brovaz and the Cheeky Girls, because nothing says Jubilee party like the Cheeky Girls. The party kicks off at 12pm and will go on all day, with last entry at 6pm.
Edinburgh Castle x Cottonopolis
Ancoats pub Edinburgh Castle has announced that they have been granted special permission to reopen their outside seating area - and in celebration, they will be hosting a very British Jubilee BBQ, in collaboration with Japanese-inspired restaurant Cottonopolis. Taking place on Friday and Saturday, diners can expect dishes ranging from chicken yakitori and satay sauce, miso corn on the cob and hot dogs with mustard and crispy onions. Dessert is also very on brand with sweets including Jubilee trifle, Eton mess, scones with clotted cream and jam and ice-cream.
More details here.
Sunday:
Bongo's Bingo at Albert Hall
You can expect all the usual mischief and madness from the latest edition of Bongo's Bingo, but with an added Jubilee touch. Kicking off at 2pm, and there will be plenty of prizes, cheesy singalongs and cash cash money in store, so make sure to grab the last remaining tickets now.
Platinum Jubilee Picnic in Clarence Park
Clarence Park in Bury will be hosting a 1950’s-themed picnic with live music, entertainment and plenty of refreshments on Sunday, June 5. People are encouraged to dress up in 50s style clothing or if you're feeling particularly fruity, you're very best royal regalia. Attendees can also bring a picnic or grab a bite to eat from the Green Café.
More details here or email friendsofclarencepark@gmail.com.
Moxy Jubilee Pooch Party
Don't let your dog miss out of the Jubilee weekend, instead head over to Moxy Manchester on Atkinson Street near Deansgate, who'll be hosting a special Jubilee edition of their Pooch Party, with fun for humans and man's best friend. Each guest will receive a British-themed tipple and 'puppucino' on arrival getting stuck into a game-filled afternoon, competitions and dog-related fun. The event will also feature a DJ, doggie ice-cream, ball pits and tunnels and photo booths - what more could you want?
Tickets are available to purchase here.
The Lowry's Jubilee Weekend
From free arts and crafts to swing dancing, storytelling and a new family exhibit, The Lowry in Salford is giving visitors the chance to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee in style with activities for all ages. There will also be limited edition 'Lowry Afternoon Tea' boxes available to buy from The Lowry shop. Taking place across the four-day weekend, there will be plenty of family friendly workshops and events, and on Sunday a family swing dance will give visitors the chance to learn some steps before sharing a dance with their family.
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