Jubilee Weekend

Join in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in and around Oxford.
Daily Info Staff May 24, 2012

Food Festivals Music & Dance Children's Activities Weird & Wonderful Events By Date

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The dressing-up...

While anyone can don the red, white and blue this coming weekend, there are brave souls amongst us who will be going that little bit further. Many of The Big Lunches are encouraging a bit of royal dress-up (as the Wolvercote Big Lunch poster has it: 'come as The Queen, William, Kate or one of the other ones'); whether you see yourself as a Kate or a Queen, it is a great excuse to practice that regal hand-waving and maybe even win a prize or two for your efforts. You don't, however, need to be sporting a crown to indulge in a little fancy dress: Brook Street Productions in Watlington are staging a 1950s-style Jubilee Jitterbug, a wonderful opportunity to step back in time and dust off those dancing shoes! There is set to be a cocktail bar, themed photography and nibbles and, of course, a 1950s dress code applies!

The cucumber sandwiches...

Nothing says 'we're here to have a jolly good time' quite like miniature quiche and fine china. Waterperry Gardens (near Wheatley) seem to agree with me and are laying out a special afternoon tea in honour of the Jubilee at Miss H's teashop from the 2nd to the 12th of June. On a rather grander scale, Blenheim Palace are also serving up a wonderful buffet-style spread from a bamboo marquee on the South Lawn, in the fashion of the Royal Garden Parties from the 3rd to the 5th.

The bunting...

Strings of these festive flags are already being strung the length and breadth of the UK, giving every highstreet the sudden and unexpected air of a 1950s-style street party. To celebrate this wave of nostalgia sweeping the country, there is a flag-making workshop at the Lord Mayor's Tea Party on Gloucester Green on Monday 4th. Here The Pin Works will show you how to stick and stitch your own felt flag, a great activity to get children involved in the weekend celebrations.

The...bun throwing?

On Sunday 3rd June at 6pm, there is a unique opportunity to witness a rather wonderful tradition in Abingdon as 6,000 buns are thrown from the roof of the County Hall Museum. Just in case your Big Lunch hadn't quite filled you up! Indeed if you're a glutton for the odd and the unusual then the Jubilee weekend has plenty on offer. On Monday 4th June (12-6pm) there is past sport reenactment at The Lord Mayor's Jubilee Party where UnderConstruction, an Oxford-based theatre group, will be recreating past sporting events including such one-time favourites as a knobbly knee competition, blind boxing, and broom hockey! Your appetite still not sated? Also on Monday, why not head down to 'Morris Mania' at The Oxford Castle. 'Cars or dancers?', I hear you cry. The answer: both! Vintage Morris Motors will be on display in the castleyard in celebration of the city's connection with the car industry and Morris dancers will also be performing throughout the day.

Food and Drink

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Jubilee at Everest

Celebrate the Queen's Jubilee at Everest Nepalese restaurant. A three-course authentic Nepalese meal with drinks, specially designed to mark this occasion.
Date to be confirmed. 12pm - 5.30pm. £9.95 for three courses.
Everest Restaurant

Jubilee Afternoon Tea Buffet Menu at Blenheim Palace

Have a particularly wonderful hat you wish to wear this weekend? Why not pop it on and head down to Blenheim where a buffet-style spread is going to be served on the South Lawn, in the fashion of the Royal Garden Parties.
Sunday 3rd June - Tuesday 5th June. 2.30pm - 5pm, £19 for up to 4 people.
Blenheim Palace

Wallingford Town Picnic

The Jubilee Celebrations town picnic. Instructions are to 'dust off your picnic rug and pack a hamper!'.
Monday 4th June. 12noon - 4pm, free.
Castle Gardens, Wallingford.

Jubilee Tea at Restore

Craft, music and baking workshops, followed by a jubilee tea in the Garden Cafe.
Tuesday 5th June. 10am - 5pm, £1.
Restore and Garden Cafe, Manzil Way, Oxford.

The Big Lunches

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The Eden Project's popular initiative The Big Lunch is now in its third year and boasts of collecting over two million eager picnicking fans nationwide. Among these it seems is the Queen herself as it was Her Majesty's special request that this celebration of community and neighbourliness be incorporated into the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Never ones to ignore a royal request, or indeed an excuse for a party, Oxfordshire has embraced this tradition wholeheartedly; so shake out the picnic blanket, de-dust the thermos and join your neighbours at your nearest Big Lunch. You generally are asked to bring your food, something to eat off and with; also, if needed, something to sit on. Some Big Lunches do require booking beforehand and many offer free door-to-door lifts for the elderly, so it is worth checking with your local organisers.

Oxford Castle Big Lunch

Bring along a picnic blanket and some food to share. Special lunch hampers will also be available onsite from Café 1071, located in the Castleyard.
Sunday 3rd June. 12pm - 3pm, free
Oxford Castle

Abingdon-on-Thames Big Lunch

Part of Abingdon's four day Jubilee extravaganza. Booking is essential for the street party, application form available on the website.
Sunday 3rd June. 12.30pm onwards, free
The White Horse Pub on Ock Street to the junction of West St Helen Street.

Banbury Big Lunch

Pegged as the 'biggest street party in the country' with preparations underway for one thousand guests. Same rule applies - bring food!
Sunday 3rd June. 1.30pm - 4.30pm, free
Banbury market place

Wolvercote Big Lunch

Live music, a police vs residents tug-of-war and plenty of activities for children: Jubilee Olympics; face-painting; even a bouncy castle. Seed and seedling swap. Royal fancy dress is definitely encouraged! There is also a special Commoners' Committee Pub Quiz 7.30 for 8pm in The Plough.
Sunday 3rd June. 12pm - 8pm, free
Wolvercote green, outside The Plough
The Big Lunch Wolvercote website.

Bicester Big Lunch

Lots of entertainment is on offer including stage performances and jugglers. There is also a bouncy castle, free face-painting and a 'mega-slide'! While it is suggested you bring your own food, there will be ice-cream and a BBQ on-site. Don't forget to dress to impress - prizes are on offer.
Sunday 3rd June. 12.30pm - 4pm, free
Bicester Big Lunch website

Festivals

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The Lord Mayor's Jubilee Party

There will be a re-enactment of the Mayor Making process at Gloucester Green followed by a 1950s Now and Then party, also music and dance performances not to mention plenty of stalls to peruse. Of particular note is that UnderConstruction, an Oxford-based theatre group, will be recreating past sporting events including such one-time favourites as a knobbly knee competition, blind boxing, and broom hockey!
Monday 4th June. 12pm - 6pm, free
Gloucester Green
Lord Mayor's Picnic website

East Oxford Street and Jubilee Party

Enjoy the usual Oxfork weekend goodness, neighbourhood style. Activities planned include a beer and cider festival at the Rusty Bicycle; comedy, drama and yoga workshops; an art and vintage market and much more!
Sunday 3rd June. 12noon - 6pm
Magdalen Rd, Hurst St and St Mary's
Facebook site

Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend at Blenheim Palace

A selection of vintage children's characters such as Noddy and Rupert the Bear will be on hand to walk you down memory lane, or perhaps accompany you to such events as the Bunbury Celebrity Cricket Match or the Massed Brass Bands Concert. The Bunbury Celebrity Cricket Match should be especially good fun with such celebrities as the Weasley twins and ex-India captain Mohammed Azharuddin set to make an appearance.
Sunday 3rd June: characters from 10.30am - 4.50pm
Monday 4th June: Bunbury's Celebrity Cricket Match and 'Afternoon Tea'
Tuesday 5th June: Massed Brass Band Concert, 11.30am - 3.50pm
Blenheim Palace

Jubilee at The Vicky

A fun-packed weekend with hog roast, live music and more.
Friday 1st June: BBQ party and beer festival. Live music with duo 'Vanilla' from 8.30pm with a BBQ and beer festival to mark this special occasion.
Sunday 3rd June:
10.30am: punting pageant
1pm - 3pm: Bouncy castle, hog roast and stalls
3.30pm: wheelbarrow race
4.30pm: Songs and stories at St Nic's church on the riverbank
Monday 4th June - 8.30pm: Royal pub quiz
Tuesday 5th June - 3-5pm: Children's party.
Victoria Arms (website

Jubilee at Restore

Craft, baking, music workshops and a Jubilee Tea! Bring a picnic lunch.
10.30am - baking and music workshops
12.30pm - picnic time
1.30pm - Afternoon workshops
4.30pm - Jubilee tea
5pm - Music performance
Tuesday 5th June, £1 donation per person.
Restore website

Jubilee Festival at Oxford Unlocked

A full programme of events at the Oxford Castle.
Saturday 2nd June. From 12noon: National Town Criers competition which culminates in a voluble procession to the castle mound.
Sunday 3rd June: The Big Lunch!
Monday 4th June: Falconry. Nothing says English royal quite like the medieval art of falconry. There are both displays and handling sessions (if you dare) with these magnificent birds throughout the day.
Tuesday 5th June. Morris Mania. Vintage Morris Motors will be on display in the castleyard in celebration of the city's connection with the car industry; Morris dancers will also be performing throughout the day.
Oxford Castle website

Jubilee Festival at Abingdon-on-Thames

A full programme of events at the Oxford Castle.
Saturday 2nd June. 1pm - 4pm: Fun in the Park and Dance festival in the Abbey Grounds.
Saturday 2nd June. Evening: Jubilee dance at The Guildhall. Live music and three course buffet with wine, tickets £29.50
Sunday 3rd June. From 12.30pm: The Big Lunch!
Sunday 3rd June. 6pm: A rather wonderful tradition in Abingdon where 6,000 buns are thrown from the roof of the County Hall Museum.
Sunday 3rd June. 5pm onwards: Abingdon-on-Thames Proms in the Park and Firework Display, Abbey Grounds. Music begins at 7pm with the Proms officially beginning at 9pm. Tickets are available now, Adults £2.50, Children £1.
Monday 4th June. 4pm onwards: The Big Screen, Abbey grounds. Live coverage of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee BBC Concert broadcast followed by a firework display, adults £2.50, children £1
Tuesday 5th June. Morning: Live television coverage of the Service of Thanksgiving, Abbey grounds. There will be refreshment stalls, a beer tent, a pig roast and a children's roundabout.
Tuesday 5th June. 10pm: Lighting of the beacon. a national chain of beacons lit in succession. Likely location is the market place.
Abingdon Jubilee website

The Beacon Party of the Year

Beacon lighting, foodstalls, live music, activities and crafts.
11am - 3pm: Family activities
6.30pm - 11pm: Evening celebrations
Monday 4th June. £2 advanced, £4 on the day.
Earth Trust Centre, Little Wittenham.
Earthtrust website

Goring and Streatley Jubilee Festival

Sunday 3rd June. 4.45-6pm: Carnival procession of decorated floats. Local communities and businesses have been invited to participate in dressing-up their Jubilee-themed floats.
Sunday 3rd June. 7.30pm - 11.45pm: Jubilee Variety Show, The Concert Arena, Goring. Music, dance, theatre and comedy. The dress code has been given as 'patriotic'!
Monday 4th June.9.30pm - 11.30pm: last Night at the Proms, Streatley Meadow, Streatley. A sing-a-long concert with the Goring and Streatley Band and Joint Choirs. There will also be the lighting of the beacon and a mass lighting of candles as darkness falls.
Goring and Streatley Jubilee website

Bicester Jubilee Festival

Saturday 2nd June. 5pm onwards: Historic anvil firing, a beer festival with live music and to end the evening, a fireworks display at 10.30pm.
Monday 4th June. 12pm - 5pm: A fete to celebrate the Jubilee at the Oxford Road sports ground. This is being organised in association with Armed Forces Day and apparently the 'mega obstacle course' is not to be missed! Monday 4th June. 10.30pm: Lighting of the beacon, viewing points will be along Manordfield Road.
Bicester Jubilee website

Begbroke Jubilee Celebrations

Friday 1st June. 6.00pm onwards: try your hand at bowls, you may even want to join the team. 7.30pm onwards Salsa party – swing those hips and get fit too..
Saturday 2nd June. 12.00pm: Street party on the village field; bring food and drink to share; the bar is open!
Sunday 3rd June. 12.00pm: Family athletics – work up an appetite with family and friends. 2.00pm: Teddy bear’s picnic – bring your own food and drink, perfect for little ones. 2.30pm Softball cricket match – give it a try.
Monday 4th June. 10.30am-12.00pm: Coffee morning – join the regulars for tea, coffee, cakes and make new friends. Free of charge
Tuesday 5th June. 10.00am: Yoga class – meet at the village hall for some physical, mental and spiritual exercise.
Begbroke Village Hall, Begbroke.

Cogges Jubilee Weekend

A traditional fete with a family dog show run by Cogges Heritage Trust.
Saturday 2nd June.
Cogges Farm

Music and Dance

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Best of British Jubilee Show

St James Singers bring us some a capella songs from the past 600 years, all with Royal connections. This concert is in aid of Age UK.
Thursday 31st May, 7.30pm. £5 on the door.
St Frideswide Church, Botley.

Jubilee Concert

The Holy Trinity Church Choir brings us music by Parry, Walton, Handel, Byrd, Elgar and Purcell.
Saturday 2nd June, 7.30pm. Donation on the door.
Holy Trinity Church, Headington Quarry.

Jubilee Jam

This weekend Oxfringe brings us Jubilee Jam, a wonderful mix of homegrown talent and hand-picked strawberries served up at The Jericho. It looks set to be a wonderfully chilled alternative in this busy bank holiday.
Saturday 2nd June, 4pm and Sunday 3rd June, 2pm
Day Tickets £8 advance / £6 NUS; weekend tickets – early bird limited edition at £14
The Jericho Tavern

Rotary Jubilee Concert

A recital by Rotary Ambassadorial Organ Scholar, Ben Sheen, Aliquando Choir and Oboist, Hazel Todd.
Saturday 2nd June. 7.30pm.
Tickets from £12.
Aliquando website

Jubilee Coronation Concert

The Wheatley Choral Society bring us music from the coronation of 1953 including that by Handel, Walton and Vaughan Williams.
Saturday 2nd June. 7.30pm, £10.
St Mary's Church, Wheatley

Diamond Jubilee with the Philharmonia Orchestra

Celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in Wren’s historic Sheldonian Theatre with an evening of great English music. Martyn Brabbins conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra in Walton's Crown Imperial and is joined by Julian Lloyd Webber for Delius's Cello Concerto before ending the concert with Elgar's Symphony No 1. Friday 15th June. 7.30pm - 9.20pm, from £10.
Oxford Playhouse
Music at Oxford website

Diamond Jubilee Music Festival

With local bands, an open mic session, a bar and foodstalls.
Monday 4th June. 5pm - 11pm; Adults £6, Children £4.
Long Hanborough Pavillion, Long Hanborough.

Jubilee Party Night

Hippyhaze & Sunshine Supermen,a tribute band to the 1967-69 flower power era, will be playing till midnight.
Saturday 2nd June. 9.00pm till midnight, free.
The Anchor Inn, Abingdon.

Diamond Jubilee Show

Big band music celebrating the first 27 years of the Queen's life.
Thursday 7th June, 8pm. £15, £13.50 concession.
Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot.

Jubilee Jitterbug

An opportunity to step back in time and dust off those dancing shoes. Come and enjoy the cocktail bar, themed photography and food and of course, a 1950s dress code applies!
Saturday 2nd June. 7.30pm, £12.
Ickneild Main Hall, Love lane, Watlington.
Jitterbug website

Children's Activities

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While many of the Big Lunches and Jubilee festivals do cater for families (slides, balloons, clowns, 'mega-slides' etc.), we've picked out a few events that are particularly child-focussed.

The Lord Mayor’s Tea Party and Jubilee Flag making workshops

The Pin Works will show you how to stick and stitch your own felt flag, a great activity to get children involved in the weekend celebrations. For Ages 3+ and up with adult supervision.
Monday 4th June, 12.30pm-2.30pm
Gloucester Green
Old Fire Station website

Royalty and the River

Activities on offer include making a royal barge for your favourite doll or teddy. There are also fancy dress prizes for the best-dressed prince or princess!
Thursday 7th June. 10am-4pm.
River and Rowing Museum, Henley

Children's Party at The Vicky

The Victoria Arms have realised it's the beginning of half term and have offered to fill all of that extra time up. A children's entertainer, fun, games and a party tea. For aged 3-10, advanced booking is required.
Tuesday 5th June. 3-5pm, free.
Victoria Arms

Blackwell's Children's Jubilee Party

A family event with crafts, balloons and cakes to celebrate the Jubilee.
Saturday 2nd June. 11am-3pm, free.
Blackwells Bookshop, Broad Street.

Queen's Jubilee Celebration at Barefoot Books

A royalty-themed day with storytime and the opportunity to make your own bunting in the studio.
Monday 4th June. All day.
Barefoot Books Studio, Summertown.

Berinsfield Jubilee Tea Party

Family fun with royal storytime, craft sessions and refreshments.
Wednesday 30th May. 3.45pm, free.
Berinsfield library, Green Furlong, Berinsfield
Email: [email protected]

The Weird and The Wonderful

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Never a county to shy away from the strange and unusual, this Jubilee weekend displays the best of Oxfordshire's somewhat eccentric traditions.

Bun-throwing

A rather wonderful tradition in Abingdon where 6,000 buns are thrown from the roof of the County Hall Museum.
Sunday 3rd June. 6pm, free.

Past sport reenactment

Past sport reenactment at The Lord Mayor's Jubilee Party. UnderConstruction, an Oxford-based theatre group, will be recreating past sporting events including such one-time favourites as a knobbly knee competition, blind boxing, and broom hockey!
Monday 4th June. 12-6pm, free.
The Lord Mayor's Jubilee Party website

Morris Mania at The Oxford Castle

'Cars or dancers?' I hear you cry. The answer: both! Vintage Morris Motors will be on display in the castleyard in celebration of the city's connection with the car industry. Morris dancers will also be performing throughout the day.
Monday 4th June. Free.
Oxford Castle

Republican Cinema

Unmoved by all of this Jubilee glamour? Art Jericho are hosting the premiere of a film entitled 'Royal Babylon' which claims to unearth the criminal past of the British monarchy. Local poet Heathcote Williams will also be presenting an investigative poem.
Sunday 3rd June. Art Jericho, 7pm.

Events by Date

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