I’ve avoided mentioning it so far, but no longer.
There’s just no escaping it, the Diamond Jubilee celebrations are next weekend. We get 4 days off to make sure we have plenty of time to buy those paper plates and cupcakes stands with black and white pictures of the Queen that have been distributed to every Charity Shop in the land, or invest money in food with union jacks printed on the packaging (I am actually a sucker for this. Marks & Spencer are doing a roast beef and yorkshire pudding sandwich that I’m desperate to try)
So, what are you up to over the Jubilee weekend? You might have your plans all firmly in place, or like me, you might have some free time to kill. The UK has gone crazy for vintage themed Jubilee events, so make the most of the 50s vibe to pull out the petticoats, get glammed up, and visit one of them. I thought I’d do a quick round up of some of the events going on across the UK that should be good as they have support from people who actually love this stuff rather than just having £ signs in front of their eyes at the words “jubilee” and “vintage”.
Starting from the bottom of the country…
South Coast
Brighton Museum – Saturday 2nd June
Brighton Museum is taking you back to the 50s from 1pm-4:30pm on the Saturday of the Jubilee weekend with jive classes, arts and crafts workshops, retro makeovers and the chance to inspect original memorabilia from the time. For more Jubilee events in Brighton visit Vintage Brighton
Victorious Vintage – Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd June
This ones a biggie, and it’s free! Dodgy and The Lightening Seeds are headlining the music stage (side note: I met Dodgy in 1994, they signed a poster I had stolen off the wall of The Forum in Tunbridge Wells. I have no idea where it is now) There’ll be Vintage Stalls and Le Keux Events will be offering vintage makeovers. There’s even a cinema showing classic movies.
Make sure you get your glad rags on for this one as there’s a roaming team giving out prizes for the best dressed as well!
London
50s Dinner Party – North London – Saturday 2nd June
For £25 The London Vintage Kitchen is offering a dinner party with a range of hot and cold authentic 1950s dishes served up to guests, followed by Port, party games and dancing.
For lots more London based Jubilee events check out The Vintage Guide to London
Norwich
Yes, Norwich gets a section all to itself, well, I do live here!
Fabulous Fifties History Fair – Gressenhall Museum and Workhouse – Sunday 3rd June
THE best event of the Jubilee Weekend, because the Historical Sauces are rocking up with the Vintage Reading Room and Flicks n Lips Tutorials to help you get that perfect 50s look. We’ll also be doing a couple of talks on 50s fashion to go alongside some catwalk shows that The Fabulous Miss K is organising. There’ll be dance lessons, 50s cooking demos, and loads more going on. There’s also a fabulous recreation of a 1950s sitting room that’s part of the permanent exhibition and ideal for prancing around taking photos in!
It’s worth getting dressed up in your finest for this one, as if you turn up in your 50s finest admission is free.
Great British Garden Party – The Assembly House – Tuesday 5th June
The Assembly House are throwing a traditional British garden party to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Music is provided by The Pavilion Quintet and there’ll be Morris dancers, food and drink and all sorts of stalls, plus a range of fun family games and entertainment, including a tombola, raffle and a coconut shy. Entry is free
You can, of course, visit Vintage Norwich for more events in Norwich
North of England
A Great Vintage Tea Party – Victorian Market Hall, Stockport – Sunday 3rd June
Workshops like cupcake decorating and hat making, pin up styling from The Vintage Beauty Parlour, fish and chips, afternoon teas, live music, a perfect pooch dog show and lots of stalls to shop mean this one is shaping up to be a rather fabulous day! You can find more events in the Manchester area on Vintage Manchester
MORE INFORMATION
Jubilee Celebration Day – The Nicholls Building, Sheffield – Sunday 3rd June
This Vintage and Craft emporium in Sheffield is holding a celebration day with make overs from Lipstick and Curls, Lindy Hop dancing, special discounts on vintage and a raffle to win a hamper.
MORE INFORMATION
I’d like to tell you things going on in Scotland and Wales as well, but I haven’t heard of any from anyone I trust, and I wanted this list to be events from people I know would only recommend quality entertainment! Are you going to a vintage Jubilee event in another area of the country? Leave a comment and let us all know!
Nothing to do at all? Join in the Virtual Jubilee Street Party with Holidays from Home!
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