Ways to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in Salisbury
Salisbury is a city shaped by tradition. We embrace and celebrate our history and 2022 is definitely a year to celebrate as we mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and look back over her historic 70-year reign.
The special extended Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend in June (2nd to 5th June) has been set aside for us all to mark the occasion. If you are looking for ways to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee in Salisbury city centre here are some ideas:
What is Salisbury doing to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee?
The skies over Salisbury will blaze on Thursday 2nd June as the city lights a Jubilee Beacon at Old Sarum. The beacon will be part of a chain of over 1,500 lit on the night, continuing a royal tradition. Members of the public were invited to apply for tickets to be there through a local ballot, but for those who don’t get picked there may still be a chance to watch, as it’s hoped the beacon will be visible from Hudson’s Field. Although this does depend on the weather.
Salisbury will come alive with entertainment on 2nd and 3rd June as Salisbury International Arts Festival brings City Encounters back to the city centre. This is a special Jubilee Bank Holiday treat for all the family with original street theatre, dance and delights for all ages. The free event is definitely one not to be missed.
City Encounters 2019
Salisbury Arts Festival will also be holding a Jubilee Concert on 28th May at Salisbury Cathedral that will celebrate the Jubilee by taking us back in time. It’ll feature the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra performing a programme inspired by the music used in Westminster Abbey at the Queen’s Coronation.
Salisbury Cathedral is also preparing for its own celebration events. From 1st June there will be an exhibition of royal related pieces. In ‘Our Queen, Our Cathedral’ visitors will be able to learn about the Queen’s visit to the Cathedral in 1974 and view money from the Royal Maundy service held at that time. Also on display will be the replica Coronation robe created for their recent flower festival plus images from the Diamond Jubilee in 2012 when the Queen and Prince Philip visited the city. Alongside all that, a special Celebration Tree will be in place for visitors who wish to leave goodwill message for Her Majesty.
Also, on 4th June, the Cathedral will hold a Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration to commemorate the Jubilee.
The Coronation robe as part of Salisbury Cathedral's Flower Festival
More things to do over the Jubilee Bank Holiday in Salisbury
There will be fun for all the family in the Cathedral Close on both the 4th and 5th June as 56a The Close holds a Jubilee Garden Party. There will be tea, cake, games, music, workshops and much more to enjoy over the two days. And, it's all free! You can find the full programme here.
Those who walk through our beautiful Cathedral Close once the sun goes down will be greeted by a dazzling display. Mompesson House will be celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in a memorable and meaningful way by lighting the beautiful front façade of the property every evening from the 2nd to 5th June, between 7.30pm and 11pm. The National Trust has worked with an experienced lighting design company to create a murmuration of reds, whites and blues which will be enjoyed by locals and visitors.
Mompesson House in Salisbury Cathedral Close will be lit up for the Jubilee
Join the fun on Sunday 5th June when the Salisbury Platinum Jubilee Celebration takes place in the Market Place from 10am to 9pm. There will be live music, the Salisbury Arts Scene market, food, drink and even a replica Spitfire aircraft! You can find the full line-up here.
There will be more entertainment for Salisbury shoppers on 4th and 5th June in The Old George Mall as they celebrate the Jubilee by holding two-days of free activities. From midday until 4pm each day you'll find a live DJ, face painting, dance performances and more! Click here for information.
For more music, make sure to drop into The Chapel on 3rd June where you'll find music from Queen – that's the band, not Her Majesty! A Queen tribute act will belt out hit after hit as part of their Platinum Jubilee Party. Tickets are limited so book before they’re gone.
There’s also a fun family-trail around Salisbury that brings the Queen’s 70-year reign to life. Follow the Platinum Jubilee Trail around the city centre, find QR codes in shop windows, scan them, and watch as characters magically come to life on your phone! The trail is running until 12th June. Click here for a map and more details of where and how to start.
One of the fun characters you'll find on the Salisbury's Jubilee Trail
The long Bank Holiday weekend is being set aside for celebrations across the country with many Jubilee events in Salisbury to get involved in. What about those who have to work? Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust is making sure their hardworking staff don’t miss out on the fun.
On 2nd June, all in-patients and employees working at Salisbury District Hospital will receive Jubilee Cream Teas. The patients will have theirs delivered as part of their lunch, on a specially designed tray full of images of local royal visits. Working staff, and employees living on site, will be invited to enjoy their Cream Tea during a celebration on the Green, which will also include music and bunting. For staff who are unable to leave patients, theirs will be delivered to them directly. Please note this event is not open to the public.
The Jubilee weekend is also the perfect time to take advantage of Salisbury’s amazing retail and hospitality. Spend a leisurely day shopping in one of our independent shops, take time to enjoy lunch in an historic pub or cosy café, or visit one of our award-winning attractions.
There is much to experience in Salisbury at all times of the year and you can find it all right here at Experience Salisbury.