The count down is on to the biggest celebrations of the year  - Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee, and here in the Midlands there's a plethora of activities planned to mark the occasion.

Check out our jubilee highlights below. There's also a selection of half term activities to keep the kids entertained.

PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS - Victoria Square, Birmingham, Thurs 2 - Sun 5 June

Victoria Square is hosting a free four-day celebration to mark the jubilee weekend.

The festivities start on Thursday the 2nd with a DJ and street entertainment, followed by live music.

Beacons will be lit after 9pm as part of a nationwide initiative. There’s further music and street entertainment on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with a jubilee concert being broadcast live from Buckingham Palace on Saturday.


JUBILEE FUN - Resort's World, Birmingham,  Wed 1 - Sat 4 June

Travel through the seven decades of Her Majesty's rule with a wide variety of fun activities including a Pokémon-themed workshop, Rubik’s Cube station, Slime workshops and live music from local vintage trio The Bluebird Belles. Crown colouring activities and a Jubilee Glitter Tattooist also feature.


QUEEN'S PLATINUM JUBILEE AT SVR - Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster, Thurs 2 -Sun 5 June 

The Severn Valley Railway is putting on a celebration fit for a Queen to mark Her Majesty’s platinum jubilee. 

Crowning the first day of the event will be the unveiling of locomotive 34027, complete with its new name - Elizabeth II - new number - 70 - and purple livery, specially commissioned to mark the jubilee. 
In a nod to the 1953 coronation, there will be 1950s-themed entertainment at each station, including a pop-up milk bar and juke box at The Engine House, a vintage fairground ride at Bridgnorth and live music at Kidderminster.

The Engine House will also be hosting a hand-built Paddington-themed exhibition, presented courtesy of BrickLive, and a display of work by photographer Jack Boskett, showcased under the title From Railways To Royalty.

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SAFARI STREET PARTY - West Midland Safari Park, until Sun 5 June

West Midland Safari Park’s Safari Street Party sees gates opening earlier than usual, at 9.30am, with entertainment running daily from 10.30am to 5.15pm. 

Attractions include towering giraffe stilt-walkers, a Caribbean steel band and a bubblelogist. There’s also a kids’ craft club in the Safari Academy, where youngsters can make safari-themed crowns and check out a selection of animal artefacts.

Throughout the week, the park will be fundraising for the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, with the charity’s friendly and knowledgable team on hand to educate families about giraffes and the lives they live in the wild.


CIRCUS VEGAS - NEC, Birmingham, until Sun 5 June

Circus Vegas merges Las Vegas traditions and contemporary styles with extreme stunts and classic clown escapades.

Acts include Edy the Clown and the Danguir Troupe, the latter of whom will be performing a never-before-seen-in-the-UK high-wire & wheel-of-death stunt. 

Roller-skating, hula-hooping, comedy trampolining, juggling and stunt riding also feature in a show that’s promising to offer ‘something for everyone’.


​LEGO LEGENDS - Legoland Discovery Centre, Birmingham, until Sun 5 June

Legoland Discovery Centre is celebrating the country’s emergency services with a host of themed activities.

Youngsters can track down the heroes in Miniland, try their hand at building an emergency-service vehicle to race down the zipwire, check out the Lego City short film in the 4D cinema and meet Lego police hero Max. Plus, as a special thank-you to the emergency services, Blue Light cardholders can purchase tickets to the event for only £9.99 per person.


BILLIONAIRE BOY - Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Wed 1 - Sun 5 June

The always excellent Birmingham Stage Company make a welcome return with this clever and lively production.

For those unfamiliar with David Walliams’ original book, Billionaire Boy tells the tale of how Mr Spud made and lost his money, and how his son, Joe, became the richest boy in the world.


FUN WITH PEPPA PIG - SeaLife Centre, Birmingham, until Sun 3 July

Meet Peppa as she dives into an adventure and makes friends with some of the ocean’s most incredible animals, until Sun 3 July, National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham


BOSTIN' JUBILEE BASH - The Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, until Sun 5 June


Don your best red, white & blue outfits and step back in time to sample jubilee celebrations across more than 100 years - from Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee in 1897, all the way through to this month’s platinum parties for Elizabeth II. 

Visitors are welcome to offer a helping hand to the museum’s characters, who will be setting up for the jubilee celebration with craft activities and party decorating.

A grand parade will then make its way through the museum, with a special performance of God Save The Queen over on the boat dock.  


SMETHWICK ENGINE STEAMING DAY - Thinktank Science Museum, Birmingham, Wed 1 June

Check out the power of the engine first hand after its recent extensive restoration


TALL TALES: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST STORYTELLING TOUR - Aston Hall, Wed 1 June

Interactive telling of the much-loved fairytale. Each storytelling experience will last approximately 45minutes, with time for craft beforehand.


JUBILEE CROWN CRAFTBlakesley Hall, Birmingham, Wed 1 - Sun 5 June.

Make your own unique crown to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee.


JUBILEE AT OAK HOUSE - Oak House, West Bromwich, Tues 31 May, Wed 1 June & Sun 5 June

Royal activities include crafts in the West Barn, a Queen's hat trail, stitching workshops, outdoor games (weather permitting) and a chance to meet Sir Walter Raleigh and learn about Queen Elizabeth I. Get into the jubilee spirit by popping along dressed as your favourite king or queen.


CBSO: QUEEN'S PLATINUM JUBILEE CONCERT - Symphony Hall, Thurs 2 June

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra here pays its own tribute to Her Majesty with a special concert featuring a selection of works from throughout her 70-year reign.

The repertoire for the evening includes music from the coronation, works dedicated to The Queen and HRH The Princess Margaret, compositions from across the Commonwealth, personal favourites of Her Majesty and even bagpipes, in former Master of the Queen's Music Sir Peter Maxwell Davies’ An Orkney Wedding, With Sunrise.


SANDWELL VALLEY QUEEN'S PLATINUM JUBILEE WEEKEND - Sandwell Valley Visitor Centre & Forge Mill Farm, Thurs 2 - Sun 5 June

Fun for all ages including cooking activities, traditional funfair, themed stalls and food & drink.


MERRY MONARCHS - Aston Hall, Birmingham, Sat 4 June

Featuring a lavish array of royal characters including warrior queens, chivalrous knights, and musical monarchs which includes plenty of silly interaction and off the wall activities!


CIRCUS SKILLS AT BLAKESLEY - Blakesley Hall, Birmingham, Sat 4 June

Have a go at juggling, diabolo, hula hoops, spinning plates, balance beam and tightrope, 


WEOLEY CASTLE BIOBLITZ - Weoley Castle, Birmingham, Sat 4 June

Explore the Weoley Castle Ruins, making a record of the plants, animals, and insects you find


QUIET AT THE AQUARIUM - National SeaLife Centre, Birmingham, Sun 5 June

A quieter Sea Life experience that aims to provide a more comfortable visit for those with autism and other sensory requirements


A JUBILEE CREAM TEA PARTY - Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, Birmingham, Sun 5 June (1- 4pm)

Enjoy a picnic-sized Cream Tea in a Box while listening to live music from Suzi Woods, Generations Choir and more.


QUEEN'S PLATINUM JUBILEE AT THE GARDENS - Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, Birmingham, Sun 5 June (10am - 5pm)

A relaxed event with music from The West Midlands Concert Band. Refreshments include gourmet hot dogs, Pimms & lemonade plus fresh scones and jam.


THE BIG LUNCH - Sandwell Valley Showground, Sun 5 June (1pm - 5pm).

The celebration event for 500 invited guests will be in the style of a Buckingham Palace Garden Party with all the trimmings including cucumber sandwiches. Invited guests will include residents the same age as The Queen, community leaders, residents and workers who have done great work, and will be a multi-generational inclusive afternoon bringing together some of the oldest and youngest people who live within the Borough. The Big Lunch will include garden party style food and drink, entertainment representing the last 70 years of The Queen’s Reign, and inclusive traditional games and activities for all ages.


PLATINUM JUBILEE TEA - Cadbury World, Birmingham, Sat 4 - Sun 5 June

Cadbury World is celebrating the Queen’s platinum jubilee with its very own tea party over the jubilee weekend.

Taking place in a specially decorated marquee, the event features appearances by Cadbury characters and family entertainers. Refreshments are available in the form of drinks and cakes.


BIG JUBILEE LUNCH - St Marks Church Hall, Smethwick, Sun 5 June

Celebrate the platinum jubilee with a special tea in the marquee


FUN CLUB: SWING-A-DING - Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Mon 6 June

Daytime social event aimed at older audiences