Belfast To 'Roll Back The Years' For Jubilee Celebrations

Belfast is set to "roll back the years" with a programme of special events to mark The Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Belfast City Council is hosting the events which will take place over the extended bank holiday weekend in June (2-5 June) and will include themed tea dances for seniors and the lighting of a Jubilee Beacon.

And on Saturday 4 June, 2 Royal Avenue will be transformed into 1950s Belfast, allowing visitors to take a step back in time and get a flavour of life in the city 70 years ago.

The event, from 12-5pm, will showcase music and dance, photography, film, fashion and storytelling, taking a creative look at people's lives in Belfast in 1952, and the café will have a specially-adapted 1950s menu.

Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Michael Long said: "This is a truly remarkable milestone for Her Majesty as she makes history as the longest reigning monarch and it's fitting that people from across Belfast will have the opportunity to be part of some wonderful jubilee events.

"Belfast has witnessed so much change over the last 70 years; its people and the city itself, and the programme has a special focus on the intergenerational connections between our young people and older citizens.

"While we all have a shared history, our stories and experiences are different, and I think people can look forward to discovering some really fascinating detail from some of the archives of that time."

Visitors to 2 Royal Avenue on Saturday 4 June will be able to take part in family-friendly arts and crafts, view a specially-curated digital archive, have their caricature drawn and make some memories in the vintage photo booth.

Some of the sessions taking place, including storytelling and a film screening of The Queen's Corgi are ticketed. Tickets are free and can be booked via Eventbrite.

A Platinum Jubilee beacon will be lit on Thursday 2 June at Titanic Belfast to mark the Royal milestone and City Hall will be lit up purple on Sunday 5 June.

Communities are also being encouraged to take part in The Big Jubilee Lunch. Free packs to organise a big lunch between 2-5 June are available from The Eden Project – visit www.edenprojectcommunities.com for more info.

A number of community events are also being organised thanks to a £100,000 Belfast City Council fund to support organisers of platinum jubilee events across the city.

For more information visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/jubilee