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The Queen's Birthday Parade
2nd week June
Horse Guards Parade. SW1.
The Trooping the Color ceremony is one of England's most famous
ceremonies, and is as traditional as the Changing of the Guards.
This colorful ceremony is accompanied by an annual parade of music
and pageantry in celebration of the Queens Birthday.
2nd Week June: Is celebrated as Queen Elizabeth's birthday.
Queen's Official Birthday Gun Salute
June 16
To mark The Queen's official birthday the King's Troop Royal
Horse Artillery Fires a 41-gun salute in Green Park and the Honorable
Artillery Company fires a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London also
honoring the Duke of Edinburgh.
The Knollys Red Rose Rent
June 24
Every year on the Feast of John the Baptist, since 1381, one
red rose is plucked from seething lane and presented to the Lord
Mayor on the altar of All Hallows by the Tower.
The Rent of One rose is paid in recognition of Sir Robert Knollys
who built an
Unauthorized footbridge across Seething Lane.
Swan Upping last Monday in July
Since Medieval times the Dyres and Vintner's Livery Companies, as
well as the crown, have the right to keep swans on the Thames River.
Every year 6 wooden Skiffs pass along the Thames River, through
Marlow Lock, to mark the cygnets or baby swans. Doggett's Coat and
Badge Race late July or early August.
In 1715 Irish Actor Thomas Dogett held a rowing race from London
Bridge upstream to Albert Bridge commemorating the crowning of George
the I. The prize…A scarlet livery and a silver badge of the
Horse of Hanover worn on the left elbow.
Election of the Lord Mayor
September 29
Every year since 1546 a new Lord Mayor is selected at the annual
Meeting of the city Counsel in The Guildhall.
Quit-Rents Ceremony late October
In a ceremony dating so far back the origins have been forgotten,
the City Solicitor pays the one of the Queens officials a token
for the rent of properties leased long ago.
For Shropshire two faggots of wood, a billhook and a hatchet, and
for the Forge in the Strand, 61 Nails and six horseshoes.
Trafalgar Parade and Service
October 21 (or nearest Sunday)
In honor of Nelsons victor at Trafalgar in 1805, wreaths are
laid at the foot of Nelson's Column in the Square.
RAC Veteran Car Run
1st Sunday in November
"Red Flag" laws made it illegal to carry Revolutionary
Banners. In 1905 a ceremony, including a precession of vehicles
built before 1905 honors the repeal of this "Red Flag"
law.
The Lord Mayor's Show
Second Saturday in November
In a colorful procession nearly 800 years old, the Lord Mayor
must make his way to the Royal courts of justice to pledge his allegiance
to the crown. With more than 3 million spectators each year, this
event was the first to be broadcast on live TV.
Installation of the Lord Mayor
November 8
Elected on Michaelmas (September 28), the Lord Mayor is sworn
in by the Alderman on November 8 and is installed on the 9.
After the Alderman swears in the New Lord Mayor there is a luncheon
held at Mansion House followed by a procession to the Guil dhall
where the new Lord Mayor officially takes office.
Festival of St. Cecilia
Last Sunday of the Liturgical year
Coinciding with the feast of Christ the King, St. Cecilia, the
patron saint of music, is remembered with organ and choral music
at St Sepulchres (Holborn).
Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree
Mid December
Every Christmas the city of Oslo, Norway gives Britain a Christmas
tree in thanks of Britain's help in World War II. Erected in Trafalgar
Square Carols can be heard daily beneath the tree until Christmas.
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