June 2022 will mark Queen Elizabeth's 70 years of service as the head of the British monarchy.
The Queen's Platinum Jubilee is set to be celebrated in every corner of the UK and by many across the world this week.
The Queen will become the first British royal in history to reach seven decades on the throne and has been the longest-serving monarch in British history since 2015.
Read more: Corgis needed to help crown King and Queen of Pitt Park at Jubilee celebrations
Here are a list of events happening across Northern Ireland to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee:
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
Beacon Lighting - Various locations - June 2
The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey will be joined by Vice Lord Lieutenant Mrs Miranda Gordan at Mossley Mill for their ceremony, while the Deputy Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey will be joined by Deputy Lord Lieutenant The Hon. Shane O'Neill at Antrim Castle Gardens.
Other locations hosting the ceremonies are Loanends Primary School at Nutts Corner, The Town Hall in Ballyclare, the Viaduct in Randalstown, the Lilian Bland Pavilion in Glengormley and Macedon Point close to Hazelbank Park.
Platinum Party at the Park - Antrim Castle Gardens and Jordanstown Loughshore - June 4
Broadcaster Claire McCollum will be joined by comedian Micky Bartlett and X Factor alumni Rwanda Shaw at Antrim Castle Gardens, while Cool FM's Stuart Robinson will host veteran swing artist James Huish and stand-up comedian Shane Todd at Jordanstown Loughshore Park. As well as the 'regal' on-stage entertainment, families will be treated to live street theatre and enjoy a vast variety of food and drink stalls.
Both events will begin at 6pm and will conclude at 10.30pm, when the skies will be set alight at both locations with a dazzling fireworks display.
Diarmuid's Gavin's Clockwork Garden installation - Antrim Castle Gardens - June 4
The interactive garden, commissioned by The Council as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, is described as a 'garden of pure imagination' and will be the first of its kind to assume permanent residency in any garden across the UK.
The Big Lunch - Various locations - June 5
Running from 1pm until 3pm across seven locations - Wallace Park in Templepatrick, Lough Shore Park in Antrim, Sixmilewater River Park in Ballyclare, Neillsbrook Community Centre in Dunsilly, Lilian Bland Community Park in Glengormley, Hazelbank Park in Newtownabbey and Loughshore Park in Jordanstown.
Picnickers will be treated to live music and entertainment for all the family.
Ards and North Down Borough Council
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons - Various locations - June 2
On Thursday 2 June 2022 Ards and North Down Borough Council will light Jubilee Beacons at three locations in the Borough - Conway Square, Newtownards, The Castle, Bangor and Burr Point, Ballyhalbert.
Ballyhalbert and Bangor ceremonies start at 9.30pm. A piper will play ‘Dui Regnare’ before the beacons are lit at 9.45pm, followed by closing performances of ‘Song for the Commonwealth’ by Donaghadee Community Choir in Ballyhalbert and Bangor Ladies Choir in Bangor.
In Newtownards, the Soda Popz ‘50s Duo will entertain the crowds from 8.30pm at Conway Square. The ceremony starts at 9.30pm and pipers will play, followed by a bugle call before the lighting of the beacon at 9.45pm.
Sea Bangor Celebrates the Platinum Jubilee - Bangor - June 4 & 5
This year’s Sea Bangor will reflect and celebrate the seven decades of the Queen’s reign. Quay Street car park will host a range of activities for all the family, celebrating the food, music and dance of the eras.
Visitors will step back in time as the area is transformed with a seaside holiday atmosphere to include beach huts, vintage fun fair rides and a ballroom featuring music and dance from each of the decades.
Along the Eisenhower Pier a demo kitchen will feature chefs from each of the decades. Serving up iconic recipes, including Coronation Chicken, the Chefs will recreate the classics of their era and will also feature ‘Desert Island Discs’, with their favourite music from the time.
Jubilee Beacon Trail / High Street Safari Family Activity - Various locations - Until June 12
Join Sir Barnaby Beacon on this story trail experience that allows players to visit 7 characters that have come to life from Buckingham Palace, and who are visiting your location on a day out.
As you spot each of the 7 characters around your location, you can use your phone's camera to scan the unique QR codes to engage with the story and answer questions to choose how it progresses. You will learn about a different decade in Her Majesty’s 70 year reign from each character.
The 5 towns in Ards and North Down each have their own trail for you to enjoy: Jubilee Comber – High Street Safari, Jubilee Donaghadee – High Street Safari, Jubilee Holywood – High Street Safari, Jubilee Newtownards – High Street Safari and Jubilee Bangor – High Street Safari.
Platinum Jubilee Exhibition - North Down Museum - Until July 31
The North Down Museum will be stepping back in time to celebrate Her Majesty’s reign with the Platinum Jubilee Exhibition (1 June – 31 July). It will look at the impact of the monarchy and highlight the highs and lows of each decade, both locally and internationally.
From Thursday 2 June until Sunday 5 June, celebrate the Jubilee at North Down Museum.
Come and make your own crown and just for fun 'have your photo taken with The Queen' with one of our life-sized images and specially created balcony. The museum's courtyard will also be decorated for the occasion.
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
Service of Thanksgiving - St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh - June 2
The service will recognise Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years of public service and is open to all members of the community, will be followed by the Lighting of the Beacons, a UK and commonwealth wide initiative to mark the Jubilee.
Ceremonial beacons lighting - Various locations - June 2
At 9.30pm, the ceremonial beacons will be lit accompanied by a lone piper playing ‘Dui Regnare’ a musical piece written to mark the Jubilee.
They will take place at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Banbridge Civic Centre, South Lake Leisure Centre Craigavon.
Seven Decades Pageant - Brownlow House - June 4
The event features a wide range of fun activities for children and families, including a performance from Flash Harry, Northern Ireland’s beloved Queen tribute band, celebrating the music of Freddie Mercury and Queen over the past 25 years, accompanied by a selection of amusements, creative art workshops, circus entertainers and walk-about performers.
Audience members will be transported back through the decades viewing a living costume display representing family life throughout the past 70 years - 4pm to 6.30pm.
The Platinum Party in the Park - Lurgan Park - June 4
Visitors can watch Platinum Party at the Palace live from Buckingham Palace on a 40 metre squared LED screen and are invited to bring along a picnic or enjoy the hot food, tea and coffee offerings on site from 8pm.
Belfast City Council
Beacon Lighting - Titanic Belfast - June 2
A beacon will be lit outside the Titanic Belfast building to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The lighting of the jubilee beacon in Belfast is part of the official events programme to mark the Platinum Jubilee, taking place during the extended bank holiday weekend (2 to 5 June).
A number of other events are taking place to mark the Royal milestone.
Jubilee Tea Dances - City Hall - June 3
Join us at City Hall for one of our seniors’ tea dances to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
There will be music, dancing and entertainment, as well as light refreshments.
From 12 noon to 2pm and 3pm to 5pm.
Platinum Jubilee: Through the Decades - 2 Royal Avenue - June 4
Step back in time to 1950s Belfast and enjoy a flavour of life in the city 70 years ago with a showcase event to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Pop in and enjoy a celebration of some of the city’s best local talent through photography, film, fashion, song and storytelling, taking a creative look at people’s lives in Belfast in 1952.
There will be intergenerational workshops and storytelling events, live music performances, a photography exhibition and film screenings.
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
Lighting of Beacons - Various locations - June 2
The beacons will be lit in Ballycastle, Ballymoney, Coleraine and Limavady, joining thousands of others across the UK and the Commonwealth as part of the official programme announced by Buckingham Palace for the Jubilee Weekend.
In all four locations, the beacons will be lit at 9.45pm, with specific details for each town listed below:
- Ballycastle – Holy Trinity Church grounds with refreshments in Ramoan Parish Centre from 8pm and performances from Ramoan Church Choir from 9.15pm.
- Ballymoney – Townhead Street Car Park with refreshments in the Royal British Legion from 8.30pm.
- Coleraine – The Diamond with entertainment by the Coleraine Community Choir from 9pm.
- Limavady – Drumceatt Square with entertainment from the Roe Valley Singers from 9pm.
Community and Crown - Coleraine Town Hall - Until August 27
The exhibition takes visitors on a historical journey through Queen Elizabeth II’s visits to Northern Ireland, as well as the momentous time she spent in Dublin in 2011.
Through informative panels, objects, and photographs, the display reflects how the community celebrated the Queen’s Coronation and her visits to the Borough in 1953, 1977, 2007, 2014 and 2016. Visitors can listen to personal recollections at dedicated oral history stations, including memories shared by local residents and recorded as part of a Museum Services project.
Another innovative element is an inter-generational video, funded by the Northern Ireland Museums Council, which sees children from Ballymoney and Eglinton nurseries pose questions to residents of Cramsie Court in Ballymoney about the Queen’s visits through the years.
Vintage tea dances - Various Locations - Until July
Take a trip down memory lane in special vintage tea dances especially for our local senior citizens to enjoy an afternoon of tea, sandwiches, traybakes and nostalgia from days gone by.
Live bands will have you on your feet as they perform songs from through the years.
Dance the afternoon away with lots of social dancing or just sit back and soak up the atmosphere. Period costume strongly encouraged.
Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre - 27 May 1pm - 3pm and Flowerfield Arts Centre 09 June 12pm - 2pm, 01 July 12pm - 2pm.
Derry City and Strabane District Council
Ceremonial Beacon Lighting - St Columb's Cathedral - June 2
The Cathedral is widely recognised locally, nationally and international for its active promotion of ecumenical and bridge-building activities and this role is reflected in the regard in which the building is held as a religious venue which is acceptable to all sections of the community.”
Co organised with the Vice Lord Lieutenant of the County Borough of Londonderry Ian Crowe MBE DL.
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
Our Coronation Story - Enniskillen Castle Museum - Until June 12
Celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, ‘Our Coronation Story’ is curated by the local community and hosted by Enniskillen Castle Museums.
With unique garments on display from those who attended and participated in the Coronation ceremony, souvenirs & memories from local people and the dress, coat and hat worn by Her Majesty when she visited Enniskillen in 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee.
Service of Thanksgiving & National Beacon Lighting - Various locations - June 2
At St Macartin’s Cathedral and Enniskillen Castle at 8.30pm.
The Service will be followed by the lighting of a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon in the grounds of the Cathedral. Over 100 pipers and musicians from the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (Fermanagh Branch) will assemble on Church Street, in front of St. Macartin’s Cathedral and play “Diu Regnare” as their personal tribute to Her Majesty The Queen.
This unique tune has been specially written for this historic Jubilee by Piper Stuart Liddell, 2020 Glenfiddich Champion and Pipe Major of the World Champion Pipe Band, Inveraray and District.
Family Fun Day and Armed Forces Display - Enniskillen Royal - June 4
From 10.00am – 4.00pm. A free family fun day to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Displays from the Armed Forces, music and entertainment for all the family.
The Big Jubilee Lunch - Enniskillen Castle, Enniskillen - June 5
From 11am – 5.00pm. Bring along your picnic and enjoy a family day out with music and entertainment.
The Big Jubilee Lunch commences at 11am and continues to 5pm with the Regimental Pipes & Drums of the Royal Dragoon Guards joining us throughout the day, Silver bands, vintage steam engine, balloon modellers, Fermanagh Bee Keepers, Lough Erne Heritage, Erne Hyland Dancers, Folk Music and free access to the museum.
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council
Beacon Lighting - Location to be confirmed - June 2
On 2 June, LCCC will join with more than 1,500 areas in lighting a Beacon to celebrate the 70th year of Her Majesty The Queen on the throne.
Beacons will be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories, and one in each of the capital cities of Commonwealth countries.
This will enable local communities, individuals and organisations to pay tribute to her as part of the official Platinum Jubilee Weekend of celebrations from 2nd to 5th June 2022.
Jubilee Garden Party - Hillsborough Castle - June 2 to 5
Celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in royal style. Hillsborough Castle will transport you back to 1953 - when HM The Queen visited the Castle and Gardens on her Coronation Tour – with a vintage garden party to remember.
There will be plenty of fun to be had for all the family. Relax to 1950s live music and Duke Special’s Gramophone Club, while enjoying something delicious from our food stalls. For younger visitors there will be a range of games, storytelling and a vintage carousel.
From free swing dance classes and fashion and craft stalls to classic cars, vintage lovers will be kept busy all day. Get dressed up in 1950s vintage style to be in with the chance of winning spot prizes daily.
Drive-in Country and Western Concert - St John's Church - June 3
Mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with music by Billy McFarland, Eugene O'Dornan and Second Chance.
Starts at 7pm and all children go free - all money will be donated to Pancreatic Cancer NI and the new church hall.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
Official Proclamation and Beacon Lighting - Various locations - June 2
At 2pm, town criers will announce the official proclamation of the Platinum Jubilee events at Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne and that evening beacons will be lit in the three towns to join those in a chain of celebration across the UK.
Entertainments will lead up to the beacon lightings, expected to be at 9.45pm.
Platinum Parties - Various locations - June 4
Celebrations will be held in the towns featuring the cream of local musical and entertainment talent ahead of the televising on large screens of the Buckingham Palace concert celebrating the historic occasion.
Local celebrations will begin in the early evening and then livestream the concert from London
Jubilee Service - St. Patrick’s Church, Ballymena - June 5
An afternoon civic service to reflect on the outstanding service of the Queen to the nation.
In addition to the official events, the council has a grant scheme which is offering local community groups the opportunity to stage their own events during the holiday period, encouraging celebrations on Friday, June 3, so as not to clash with official events.
Mid Ulster District Council
Free family fun day - Hill of the O’Neill & Ranfurly House - June 2
A wonderful FREE Family Fun Day - on Thursday 2nd June at Hill of The O Neill & Ranfurly House to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.
Activities are running from 1pm – 5pm and there is so much to see and do - from magic shows to arts and crafts.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
Queen's Platinum Jubilee Parade and Tattoo - Kilkeel - June 2
A Jubilee parade will make its way through Kilkeel town at 7.30pm featuring bands, floats, tattoo participants and vintage vehicles.
The tattoo will commence immediately after the parade at 8pm in the Orange Fields, Manse Road, Kilkeel.
The Tattoo will feature some of the finest marching bands in Northern Ireland, The Swingtime Starlets Singing Performers, musicians, a troupe of 70 highland dancers, pipers, singers, drummers, musicians, children's entertainments, world champion drum majors and much more.
As part of the Jubilee Tattoo, a special beacon will be lit, and the event will finish with a fireworks extravaganza.
Platinum Jubilee Celebration - Kilkeel - June 3
2.30pm - 6.30pm - Tresure Hunt, Face Painting, Arts & Crafts, Ballon Modelling Show, Colouring Competition, Kids Jubilee Fancy Dress - Prizes to be won.
2.30pm - 8.30pm - Variety Concert 'Celebration of Mourne Local Talent', top Nosh Vintage Afternoon Tea & BBQ and Jubilee 'Make it Local' Craft Market.
6pm - Jubilee Window Competition Winners Announced.
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