Queen's Platinum Jubilee

Platinum Picnic at Rochester Castle - Thursday, 2 to Sunday, 5 June

Location: Rochester Castle Gardens 

Join the party at Medway’s Platinum Jubilee picnic site in Rochester Castle Gardens.  Watch while stars from film, television and stage tell the story some of the most significant cultural moments from the Queen's reign on the special large screen. 

Avoid the capital’s crowds and see the Queen’s Birthday Parade, service of thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral and Platinum Jubilee Pageant, surrounded by friends and family, with our City’s very own castle as your backdrop.

Sing-along with the orchestra live from Buckingham Palace and don’t forget your picnic… why not try Coronation chicken with the crusts cut off for a stately sandwich!

Medway Platinum Jubilee Beacon Lighting - Thursday, 2 June

The Platinum Jubilee Beacons is the first national event of the celebration weekend.  It will see thousands of communities, charities and different groups throughout the regions of the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories come together to light beacons at exactly the same time.

A long-standing tradition at royal jubilees, weddings and coronations, beacon lighting has become a symbol of unity across towns, borders, countries and continents.

Events will take place as part of the National Beacon Lighting ceremony for the public to come and witness. Beacons will be lit at 9.45pm at the following locations:

• Riverside Country Park, Rainham
• Great Lines Heritage Park, Gillingham
• Victoria Gardens, Chatham
• Broomhill Park, Strood
• Kingshill Recreation Ground, Hoo

A Celebration of Dickens – Saturday, 4 and Sunday, 5 June

Location: Rochester High Street and the castle grounds

Step back in time as we honour both our sovereign and arguably our greatest author at a weekend of Dickensian discovery with a Jubilee twist. 

Immerse yourself in a cultural celebration of literature and entertainment and take in character parades from bygone years, eclectic live music performances, prose and poetry readings and comedy skits as you stroll the historic cobbled streets. 

As a tribute to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and to commemorate the life and works of Charles Dickens, events and activities will also take place alongside our Jubilee Picnic Site in the castle grounds. 

The Platinum Jubilee Medway River Pageant - Saturday, 4 June.

The River Medway will play host to a spectacular Platinum Jubilee Medway River Pageant and river-side street party in Chatham for the jubilee.

Throughout the afternoon, a procession of historic, commercial and leisure sea vessels will sail up-river to Sun Pier, Chatham, to join a synchronised spectacle of sights and sounds from ship to shore.  'The Grand Cacophony' will be the coming together of the boats’ horns, cheering crowds, coastal attractions and church bells, further amplified by the whistles, bells and more from The Historic Dockyard Chatham and a 21-gun royal salute at Fort Amherst.

From 12pm-5pm enjoy live music, crafts and food and drink on a shoreside celebration at Sun Pier. Find out more

The River Pageant is being organised by Tiller and Wheel CIC, in association with Medway Council.