As The Queen celebrates 60 years as Monarch we’ve compiled some of our favourite events to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee in the West Midlands. We’re in for a bumper bank holiday weekend so here’s our pick of events to make you feel all patriotic.
Handel’s Royal Music: Celebrating the Diamond Jubilee
Birmingham Symphony Hall, Berkley Street, Birmingham, B1 2LF
www.cbso.co.uk
2 June, 7:30pm
Birmingham Symphony Hall is offering a second night of music as a continuation of the city’s preliminary Jubilee Celebrations. From Zadok the Priest to the Hallelujah Chorus, the works of Handel will be performed offering a variety of rousing anthems, previously composed for the coronation of King George II and Queen Caroline.
A Royal Jubilee Celebration
2-5 June
Blists Hill Victorian Town, Madeley, near Ironbridge TF7 5DU
01952 433 424, www.ironbridge.org.uk
Open 10am-5pm daily
Fee £15.45 adults; £12.35 for 60 plus and £10.25 for children (up to 18 years and in full time education), under 5s free
Special festivities and entertainment will take place throughout the Blist Hill Victorian town. Enjoy music from the Wellington Brass Band and the Seaforth Highlanders Pipe Band, performances from Kaleidoscope Theatre and the Prince Albert Players as well as re-enactments from costumed characters. See Victorian bicycles from the March Cycle Club and enjoy a ride on the Victorian Fairground. The Town will be alive with activity and entertainment, all of the shops and cottages will be open for business and the friendly townsfolk will be on hand to make sure you enjoy this special day.
Diamond Jubilee Vintage & Craft Extravaganza
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3DH
www.bmag.co.uk
3 – 4 June, 11-5pm
£1 entry, under 12s free
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery are supporting the UKs official Diamond Jubilee Celebrations with two vintage craft fairs. Waterhall and Birmingham Council House will be gathering together some of the best vintage fashions, accessories, collectables, curios and crafts to offer plenty of family fun. Prizes will be awarded to the best traders and retro girl band ‘Rockettes’ will be performing throughout the day.
1950’s Themed Pageant
Bullring Shopping Centre, Birmingham, B5 4BU
www.bullring.co.uk
4 June
Representatives from The Royal Navy and local Brownies groups will be joining hands to participate in a 1950s themed pageant. The pageant will begin outside Birmingham’s Bullring and will continue up New Street towards Victoria Square’s council house.
Lord Mayor’s Show
Council House, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BB
www.birmingham.gov.uk/lord-mayors-show
4 June
Dance performers, live musicians and children’s entertainment are all set to light up Birmingham as part of the city’s annual welcoming of a new Lord Mayor. This charity-oriented fun day is free to all members of the public.
Aston Hall’s Jubilee Book Bash
Aston Hall, Trinity Road Birmingham, West Midlands B6 6JD
www.bmag.org.uk/aston-hall
4-5 June
Aston Hall’s annual Book Bash will all be in true Jubilee spirit this year, with actors and staff dressing up as loveable characters from Disney’s 1951 classic Alice In Wonderland in a family-oriented recreation of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.
Cannon Hill Diamond Decades Party and Community Games
Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, West Midlands
www.birmingham.gov.uk/cannonhillpark
5 June, 12-6pm
Birmingham’s Cannon Hill Park will be split into several zones of joyous celebration to commemorate Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The park will be offering a Jubilee Party Stage featuring live music and artists spanning the six decades of The Queen’s reign, Jubilee jam-making, vintage hair and make-up stands and a storytelling tent. Entry is free for all visitors.
Diamond Jubilee Street Party
Solihull Arts Complex, Central Library, Homer Road, Solihull, West Midlands B91 3RG
www.solihull.gov.uk/arts/artscomplex/artslist.asp
5 June, free entry, £4 for workshop
Solihull will be celebrating Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee in style with a family-oriented street party in Library Square. Themed art workshops will be available to all children and entertainment and nostalgic food will be on offer in the Square’s cafe bar.
Diamond Jubilee Celebration at the Black Country Museum
Black Country Living Museum, Tipton Road, Dudley, West Midlands DY1 4SQ
www.bclm.co.uk
5 June
West Midlands’ own Black Country Living Museum is all set to come to life in a large scale Diamond Jubilee street celebration. The museum will be offering plenty of family fun in the form of street performers, sing alongs, balloon animal making and themed craft sales. Advance booking only for party food and sit down tickets.
Live Jubilee Broadcast from Victoria Square
Victoria Square, 50 Pinfold St, City Centre, Birmingham B2 4AY
www.birmingham.gov.uk
5 June 2012
Birmingham’s Victoria Square is set to broadcast the entire Jubilee service on its big screen. A star-studded concert from Buckingham Palace will also be screened for all visitors and locals to enjoy.
Area Culture Guide 