Our guide to Platinum Jubilee events in the Cambridge region

From street parties to picnics, arts and crafts events to beacon lightings, there are lots of ways to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.

We’ve put together a comprehensive list of Platinum Jubilee events taking place in the Cambridge region.

If you’re having an event and it’s not mentioned below, please get in touch by completing the form at the end of this article.

And look out for our separate list of street parties and road closures.

FRI MAY 27

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at IWM Duxford

• Imperial War Museum, Duxford
• Friday, May 27 to January 8, 2023
• Free event with a general admission ticket
• IWM Duxford will present a rich programme that explores the role of the Royal Family in conflict, tracing The Queen’s personal experience of war with an aircraft and object trail and a large-scale projection of recently digitised film from IWM’s archive.
• iwm.org.uk

THU JUN 2

Cambridge beacon lighting

• Cambridge Mound
• 9.45pm
• The beacon will be lit by the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Julie Spencer OBE QPM.

Comberton proclamation and beacon lighting

• Various locations, 2pm and 9.30pm
• The town crier will read the proclamation at the pond at 2pm.
• There will also be a proclamation outside the Three Horseshoes at 9.30pm, then a bugle call at St Mary’s Church at 9.30pm, followed by the beacon lighting at 9.45pm. Visit comberton.org/ccf-2022

Cottenham beacon lighting

• Cottenham Recreation Ground
• From 9.40pm, with the lighting taking place at 9.45pm
• A cornet player from Cottenham Brass will perform a specially written bugle call entitled Majesty and the lighting will be accompanied by TyrranoChorus singing Song for the Commonwealth.

Eversdens Platinum Jubilee celebrations and beacon lighting

• Eversden Recreation Ground, Harlton Road, Cambridge
• Beacon lighting will be at 9.45pm
• Afternoon picnic on the recreation ground, games, competitions, jubilee tart, followed by the lighting of the beacon.

Grantchester village Platinum Jubilee party

• Grantchester Village Hall
• 6pm-late, with childrens’ entertainment at 6.15pm and a ceilidh at 8pm
• Ticket includes main course, pudding and first drink free
• Adults £10, concessions £5 (under 18 and over 70 for Grantchester residents only) and £25 for a family ticket of two adults and two children under 18.
• Email grantchestermag@btinternet.com
• Tickets must be purchased in advance

Guilden Morden Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

• Recreation Grounds, Trap Road, Guilden Morden
• From 2pm-late
• There will be two large event tents set up in a formation forming a street, with tables and seating in order to create a street party.
• On the Recreation Ground there will be all day entertainment including a miniature railway, children’s fancy dress competition on a Royal theme, vintage tractor display, dog show and more.

Visit Ely Platinum Jubilee celebrations

• St Mary’s Green
• 11am-9.45pm
• The Town Crier will cry The Proclamation at 2pm and Ely City Military Band will perform between 8pm and 9pm. The lighting of the beacon will take place at 9.45pm
• Refreshments will be provided by the Rotary Club of Ely outside Oliver Cromwell’s House

Sawston fireworks and beacon lighting

• Huckeridge Hill, Cambridge Road
• Gates open from 8pm
• Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by watching the lighting of a beacon at 9.45pm followed by fireworks

FRI JUN 3

Burwell Jubilee Celebrations

• St Mary’s Church
• 10am-12pm
• Family activity morning for all ages, including churchyard bug hunts and toddler zone

Comberton Celebration Festival

• Recreation Ground and St Mary’s Church, 10am-4pm
• Yoga at 10am on the rec, followed by a five-mile ramble from the pavilion at 11am, bell-ringing at the church at 11.30am, and T20 cricket at 4

Cambourne Town Council - Picnic on the Green

• Great Cambourne cricket field, Back Lane
• 12pm-6pm
• Come along and enjoy an afternoon celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a big picnic on the green in Great Cambourne. Live music, street food, bar, performances and plenty of activities for all the family.

Sale day and garden party

• Emmaus Cambridge, Green End, Landbeach
• 10am-4pm
• Homelessness charity Emmaus Cambridge will celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in style with a sale day and garden party fit for royalty. The family and dog friendly event will feature a delicious cream tea freshly made by the team at Joan's Coffee shop, the charity’s on-site café. The celebration will also be a chance to hunt for preloved bargains with 50% off everything in the charity’s shop.

The Jubilee Tearooms with the Young at Heart

• Cherry Hinton Leisure Centre
• 2pm-5pm
• Expect a 1950s vintage ambience with live music, decorations and a selection of home-made cakes. Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy time with friends and neighbours.

Visit Ely Platinum Jubilee celebrations

• St Mary’s Green and Palace Green
• 10am-6pm
• The ‘Grand Jubilee’ Food, Drink and Craft Fayre. Musical entertainment will be provided.

SAT JUN 4

Bourn Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Festival

• Jubilee Playing Field, Alms Hill, Bourn, CB23 2SH
• 12pm-6pm
• The festival features a performance of God Save the Queen by soprano Meeta Raval, best crown competition, dog show, face painting, Ready, Steady, Cook with chef Steven Saunders, tug of war, egg and spoon, sack race, mum's and dad's races and a village fun run. There will also be a barbecue, ice cream, beer, tea and cake.

Burwell Jubilee Celebrations

• Burwell Baptist Church
• 1pm
• Jubilee family fun and barbecue event, with jubilee-themed activities, games and quizzes. All welcome.

Comberton Celebration Festival

• Recreation Ground
• 11am-8.15pm
• From bowling to bouncy castles, arts and crafts to a story tent, plus wine tasting and jitterbug dancing, the celebration is designed to reconnect people. Competitions include best decorated house, business and street.
• Visit comberton.org/ccf-2022.

The Grand Eddington Platinum Jubilee Picnic

• Eddington Cricket Field Eddington Avenue, Cambridge CB3 1AA
• 11.30am-1.30pm
• Family picnic and fun activities: Complimentary Jubilee cupcakes, arts and crafts, make your own crown, bouncy balls, the unveiling of the Eddington Union Jack, sign the guest book, toy swap and much more.

Stapleford Village Show

• Stapleford Recreation Ground, Haverhill Road, Stapleford, CB22 5BX
• 1-5pm
• A traditional village show with numerous entries for home-grown fruit and vegetables, flowers, handicraft and photography. The various entries are judged, then displayed in the marquee before the trophies are awarded.
• The village show is accompanied by various stalls, running traditional fete-style activities. We have beat the goalie, tug of war among other craft stalls selling their wares. Visit the village café and enjoy a barbecue on a relaxing afternoon.

Coronation Anthem

• Great St Mary’s Church, Cambridge
• 7.30pm
• Handel's Coronation Anthem, performed by the acclaimed Eboracum Baroque.
• Tickets: eboracumbaroque.co.uk

Duxfest Jubilee Music and Street Party

• Duxford Community Centre and Recreation Ground
• 12pm-10pm
• A family fun day filled with music, stalls, food, drink, entertainment and much more. Featuring a pop and rock festival with six of the finest bands, both local and from further afield.

The Gamlingay Jubilee Celebration

• Behind the Gamlingay Eco Hub, Stocks Lane
• 3pm-11pm
• Starting from late afternoon we will have three local live bands, a DJ, food vendors and a bar before gearing up for a live screening of the Queen's Jubilee Concert on a giant 45 metre outdoor screen.

Visit Ely Platinum Jubilee celebrations

• St Mary’s Green, Palace Green and Oliver Cromwell’s House
• Various locations
• There is family fun at Oliver Cromwell’s House with living history actors at 11am and the town crier competition on St Mary’s Green at 2.30pm. Ely’s St Etheldreda Fair will be held on Palace Green between 10am and 6pm

Flower festival at St Andrew’s Church, West Wratting

• 10.30am-5.30pm

Platinum Jubilee concert in Cherry Hinton

• St Andrew’s Church, Cherry Hinton
• 7pm
• Cottenham Brass Band in concert to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.

SUN JUN 5

Burwell Jubilee Celebrations

• Burwell Museum
• 11am-4.30pm
• Tea for the Queen featuring jubilee crafts, live music, Burwell Radio and Ju-Burwell-ie ale from Burwell Brewery.
• Recreation Ground
• 12pm
• Family picnic with circus skills entertainer - bring your own picnic.

Cherry Hinton Jubilee Day

• Cherry Hinton Village Centre
• 10am-4pm
• The Magical Fox children's entertainer, storytelling tent, Cherry Hinton history display, board game area, vintage stalls and the community café.

Choral Eucharist

• Great St Mary’s Church
• 5pm
• ​A Jubilee Pentecost Choral Eucharist celebrating both the Queen's Jubilee and service and leadership throughout the church. Orders and decorations conferred by the Crown should be worn on this occasion, and it is a Scarlet Day for members of the University of Cambridge.

The Big Lunch in Cottenham

• Cottenham Recreation Ground
• 12pm-6pm
• Bring a picnic and join family and friends to celebrate with the biggest lunch ever held in Cottenham on the Recreation Ground, featuring a fancy dress competition, a tug-of-war competition, an exhibition of past Cottenham jubilees by The Village Society and stalls hosted by village groups.

Ely’s Jubil-Eel Day

• Various locations
• 10.30am-6pm
• The Jubil-Eel Parade will take place on Ely High Street/Forehill/Waterside from
• 10.30am-11am. Jubil-Eel events will then be held in Jubilee Garden from 11am-6pm.

Girton Big Village Picnic

• Girton Recreation Ground
• 1pm onwards
• Bring your own lunch, rug and chair

Great Shelford Jubilee Celebrations

• Great Shelford Recreation Ground
• 12pm-3pm
• Great Shelford will be celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a bring your own picnic in the park. Tea, coffee, cakes and ice cream will be available throughout the event.

Hardwick’s The Big Jubilee lunch

• Hardwick Recreation Ground
• 12pm-5pm
• Bring your own picnic, treasure hunt and garden games

Linton Picnic in the Park

• The Meadow Recreation Ground
• 2pm-9pm
• There will be entertainment and activities for all the family including arts and crafts, a dog show and outdoor games. Bar and food available. Picnics welcomed.

Oakington Platinum Jubilee Big Lunch

• Oakington Pavilion and Recreation Ground
• 12.30pm-4pm
• A ‘bring and share’ lunch on the Rec - bring a sweet or savoury dish to share, and a rug/chairs/gazebo. There will be music from the last 70 years along with games and competitions.

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Concert

• Jesus Green, Cambridge
• 3pm-5pm
• Enjoy a relaxing afternoon on Cambridge’s historic city centre green, listening to Cambridge Groove Orchestra - 22-piece big band performing a mix of swing, jazz, latin and pop. Plus funk, rock and popular hits from the decades with Swagger
• Free

Sawston family picnic

• Sawston Recreation Ground
• 12pm-4pm
• Family picnic including family sports day, classic car show, music and entertainment

Willingham Jubilee Picnic

• Willingham Recreation Ground
• 12pm-4pm
• Bring along everything you need – blanket, chairs, tables, thermos flasks, cucumber sandwiches, Victoria sponge, plus friends and family, to enjoy a free ‘Thank You Festival’.
• Optional fancy dress is suggested along the theme of British nostalgia - 1950s and '60s. Bring a flag or two for Land of Hope and Glory.