Plans to celebrate The Queen's Platinum Jubilee across the Borough revealed - here's all you need to know

Plans to celebrate The Queen's Platinum Jubilee across the Stockton-on-Tees Borough next month have been revealed.

A Bank Holiday weekend is taking place from Thursday, June 2 until Sunday, June 5 to mark 70 years since The Queen took to the throne.

And Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is planning a series of events around the Borough to mark the occasion.

Councillor Jim Beall, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture, said: "It's really exciting to be able to reveal our plans to celebrate The Queen's Platinum Jubilee and there promises to be something for all the family with free events happening across the Bank Holiday weekend.

"As well as a full programme of events organised by the Council, it's great to see people organising street parties in their neighbourhoods with over 140 planned  - and Jubilee packs provided by the Council to support their efforts."

Here's what you can expect...

Beacon-lighting event (Thursday, June 2)

Join the Mayor of Stockton-on-Tees on Stockton High Street for a beacon-lighting ceremony to begin the bank holiday celebrations.

The event starts at 9pm and will include songs from Urban Voice Choir, who will sing 'A Song for The Commonwealth', composed especially for the Platinum Jubilee.

A beacon will then be lit by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of County Durham as we join thousands of others who will simultaneously do the same across the country.

You can find out more on the Platinum Jubilee beacons page of the Enjoy Tees Valley website.

Platinum Jubilee party and music event! (Saturday, June 4)

Head to Stockton Riverside from 5pm on Saturday, June 4 for a free, live music event.

There'll be music from across The Queen's reign from The Moondogs, SHE, We Tried Kylie and the headline act, Counterfeit Beatles.

As well as the music, families can enjoy a helter skelter ride, throwing stalls, coconut shy and hook-a-duck.

Food and drink will be on offer from Frosty's Fish and Chips, Stewy's Ices, Big Fat Indian Kitchen, FlipnFast, the Seahorse Coffee Box and The PIMMS Van.

You can also visit a fully licensed bar at the site.

And a range of historic photographs will be available to view in a special Jubilee double-decker bus.

Be sure to stay until 10.30pm for a flurry of red, white and blue fireworks.

You can find out more on the event, which is being delivered in partnership with Tees Music Alliance and KU Bar, on the Platinum Jubilee Party page of the Enjoy Tees Valley website.

Big Jubilee Lunch (Sunday, June 5)

Residents from the Borough and beyond are invited to come together for the 'Big Jubilee Lunch' and have a picnic at Tees Barrage.

The event begins at 11am and will include performances from Northern Brass Monkey Band, Lisette Auton, Marina and Cherie Gears, Urban Voice Choir and the Reg Vardy Brass Band.

A marquee of family-friendly activities at the Barrage will include a range of stalls with arts, crafts, entertainment and food. There'll be fun for all the family with opportunities to make your own Jubilee flag with BloomInArt and craft an origami coronation lily with artist Simon Turner.

The Jubilee double-decker bus will again be showcasing a range of historic photographs of royal visits to our Borough, alongside a chance to leave your memories of the day in an interactive activity.

And there will also be poems read out from our poetry competition, with winning entries from children under 12, aged 12 to 17 and from adults aged 18 and over.

There's more information on the Big Jubilee Lunch page of the Enjoy Tees Valley website.

Get involved with our digital programme!

If you can't get to any of the events happening across the weekend, you can still get involved from home.

There are a range of Jubilee activities to do in our downloadable activity pack, from wordsearches to colouring-in pages and games to play.

And keep an eye on our social media channels for videos showing more ways to get involved in the Jubilee celebrations. Our first video had an appearance from Great British Bake Off's Freya Cox, teaching you how to make Victoria-Sponge inspired biscuits!

For more information on the digital programme, visit the The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations page of the Enjoy Tees Valley website.

And there's lots happening at the Borough's libraries

'Coronation Catwalk'

Learn about 1950s outfits at The Coronation Catwalk, taking place at Stockton Central Library on Wednesday, May 25 from 6.30pm until 8pm.

Booking is essential for the event, which costs £8 and will be hosted by costume historian and dressmaker, Meridith Towne.

To book a place, call 01642 528130.

'Celebrating Royal Events in the Borough'

Discover how the Borough has celebrated royal events over the last 150 years with this free event at Stockton Central Library.

Booking is essential for the event, which takes place on Wednesday, June 1 from 11.30am until 1pm.

To book a place, call 01642 528079.

'Jubilee Family Fun Day'

Visit Thornaby Central Library between 9.30am and 3pm on Saturday, June 4 for Jubilee crafts, badgemaking and a photo booth.

Storyteller Tony Wilson will be providing entertainment throughout the day and there will also be a Queen's Gambit Chess Challenge.

Booking is not required for this event, so please just drop in.

For more information, call 01642 528117.

Or you could visit Preston Park during half-term

Preston Park Museum's Victorian Street will be given a 1950s makeover from Monday, May 30.

Visitors are invited to bring a picnic and pull up a chair at the Jubilee table on the street.

There will be lots of other activities on offer, including flag-making, decorate your own crown and food demos.

And there could be a street party near you!

There are more than 140 street parties registered across the Borough taking place over the bank holiday weekend - we hope everyone has a great time!

And finally... make sure to share your Jubilee pictures! 

We'd encourage everyone to contribute their pictures from next month's Jubilee celebrations to the Picture Stockton archive.

You can do this by emailing pictures@stockton.gov.uk.

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