| Where: | London starting at the Mansion House |
| When: | Saturday early to mid- November |
| Time: | 11am |
The Lord Mayor’s Show in London is the oldest civic procession in the world and it takes place every November, when the newly elected Mayor travels in state from the Mansion House to pledge allegiance to the Crown at the Royal Courts of Justice. The day begins with a River Pageant when the Mayor and a flotilla of small vessels travel upstream to disembark in the City – when they pass Tower Bridge, it rises to salute the party. After a short break to prepare, the Mayor leaves the Mansion House at 11 o’clock.The three mile long procession returns by about 2.30 and a spectacular fireworks display follows at 5 pm, set off midstream in the Thames from a barge between Blackfriars and Waterloo bridges. Expect a turnout of up to half a million spectators- if you stay in one place the procession takes over an hour to pass by and it includes the Band of the Grenadier Guards, giant figures of Gog and Magog the legendary guardians of the City and representatives from many guilds and livery companies. The Lord Mayor’s coach will be towards the back and the Mayor will be waving and leaning out of the carriage window! It’s one of the most spectacular processions we’ve ever seen (and we’ve seen a few!)
Helpful Hints
In 2025 it should be on Saturday November 8th (follow links below for full details).
The event website has maps and approximate timings which you can download and glossy programmes are available from sellers on the route (£6 in 2015).
Click here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheLordMayorsShow/
Click here for the event website : https://lordmayorsshow.london
Is the Flotilla happening in 2021?
Hi Jayne,
I can see plenty of info about the Procession on the event’s own website but nothing about the flotilla, so I wouldn’t be confident it’s happening this year. However here at calendarcustoms we have no connection to the running of the Show so I’d suggest contacting the organisers direct (as time is short!) to double check, either via their website at https://lordmayorsshow.london or through the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TheLordMayorsShow/
Best wishes
Averil