What will happen on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in Birmingham?

February 2022 marked 70 years since our reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, first became queen.

She is the first British monarch to reach such a milestone.

While Saturday, 6 February technically marked the date that the Queen ascended to the throne, it was also the anniversary of the death of her father, King George VI, and therefore is known as a date the Queen does not wish to celebrate.

Instead, the Platinum Jubilee will take place on Friday 3 June, 2022, much like the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilees, with the summer month additionally offering a better chance of good weather.

Brits will also enjoy an extra bank holiday in 2022 in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

It was announced in 2021 by the Government that 2022 would see an extra bank holiday, from Thursday 2 June to Sunday 5 June.

Here’s what events are taking place in Birmingham to mark the occassion.

Birmingham Platinum Jubilee events

A number of activities will be held across the city, including four days of free family celebrations in the heart of Birmingham city centre in Victoria Square.

The city’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations will be held in Victoria Square over the Bank Holiday Weekend from Thursday, 2 June to Sunday, 5 June 2022.

Victoria Square will become transformed with a sea of Union Jacks and will include an outdoor stage playing host to dozens of live entertainers over the course of the weekend, fun fair rides for the family, food concessions, street entertainment, picnic areas and big screen.

The event will officially open on Thursday, 2 June from 12noon and will include the official launch from 9pm to 10pm, with celebratory choirs, performers, keynote speakers and Beacon lighting.

The celebrations will run daily from 12noon onwards.

On Saturday 4th June 2022 a piece will be world premiered at a dedicated special event inside Birmingham Symphony Hall, sung by a mass choir of school children (aged 9-16) from across the West Midlands, accompanied by the CBS and conducted by Chorus Director Simon Halsey CBE.

On Sunday 5th June a screening of WMPJMC will be showcased in Victoria Square.

Homeless lunch

On Sunday, 5 June, as part of the national BIG Jubilee lunch, Midland Langar Seva society and ‘We feed Brum’ will be providing free lunches to the homeless at the Carrs Lane church centre in Birmingham and Birmingham Cathedral Church of St. Phillip.

A partnership of sponsors and supporters including, The Lord Mayors Parlour, Birmingham City Council, WM Combined Authority, Central Bid, Southside Bid and Colmore Bid have joined together to support the regional event.

What’s been said about the events?

Birmingham City Council leader, Cllr Ian Ward said: “To have served this country and the Commonwealth for 70 years is a remarkable achievement and many people in communities right across our city are keen to mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

“Her Majesty has been a constant throughout the lives of most people living in Birmingham today and we have been proud to welcome her to our city on many occasions. Now, through this programme of events, we can say thank you and mark this momentous anniversary.”

Event organiser, Lawrence Barton, added: “HM The Queen has served the country, including Birmingham for 70 wonderful years and it’s absolutely right that we celebrate her reign here in Birmingham and the wider region, for all of the community to enjoy.

“We have put together a fantastic four day event, and we very much look forward to welcoming everyone over the course of the weekend.”

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