CELEBRATIONS will take place all over Dorset and the New Forest in less than two weeks for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

A special four-day weekend will be held between Thursday, June 2, and Sunday, June 5, to mark the occasion.

The countdown is now on and street parties and public events will be held with pubs allowed to extend their opening hours from 11pm to 1am so people can celebrate.

Here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening, when and where.

Street parties

More than 300 street parties will take place in the BCP area over the weekend to mark the special event.

And in the Dorset Council area, there are more than 100 parties planned.

Beacon lighting

Beacons will also be lit across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole at 9.45pm on Thursday, June 2.

In Bournemouth, a beacon lighting event will be taking place on the East Overcliff near the Jon Egging memorial, followed by fireworks in the bay.

Christchurch will be lighting its beacon at Mudeford Quay but the celebrations will commence at 5pm with an entertainment programme planned along with food and drink stalls. The town will be decorated with red, white and blue bunting and flowers.

A twilight procession is also planned along the beaches at Mudeford just before the beacon is lit.

In Poole, the beacon lighting will be at Sandbanks followed by fireworks in the bay.

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Events for children

At Druitt Hall in Christchurch on Saturday, June 4, Christchurch BID is hosting a free children’s jubilee tea party and cupcake competition aimed at children under 13, and their families.

Two Riversmeet Leisure Complex is hosting a free family event on Thursday, June 2. The celebration, which takes place between 12pm and 5pm, will feature a free bouncy castle, trampolining and soft play. Other activities include a free giant inflatable assault course, cream tea and snacks and live entertainment.

Family events

Kinson Jubilee celebration will take place at Pelhams Park from 1pm-5pm and include live music, competitions, family fun, crown competition. 

In Ferndown, an afternoon picnic will be held at King George's Fields on Friday, June 3, between 1pm and 4pm with people invited to take along their own picnic and enjoy some family entertainment. Later the same day, a party will take place at the same location between 7pm and 10pm with an evening of fireworks and live music. 

In New Milton from midday until 7pm at New Milton Recreation Ground there will be entertainment, stalls, a dog show, fly past by a Spitfire of the RAF Memorial Flight culminating in a beacon lighting ceremony.

Parkstone's Big Jubilee Picnic will take place from 12pm to 4pm at Branksome Rec. There will be live music and entertainment and lots of activities for all the family including stalls, crafts, face painting, soft play, bouncy castle, and much more.

Residents of Ringwood will be able to enjoy four days of celebrations, culminating in a ‘Party in the Park’ on the Jubilee weekend fit with live music, family entertainment, a bar, hot food and more. On Sunday, June 5, the celebrations will be held at Carvers Recreation Ground all afternoon – with a giant screen being installed so residents can watch the national coverage of the occasion.

Merley Community Party, Sunday, June 5 - 10.30am to 5.30pm - a big party to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee including five bouncy castles, sumo suits, soft play, a bubble machine, waterfight zone, DJ and live music and more. There's also a cake competition with people invited to make a cake fit for the Queen. It is being held in the field next to Down in the Woods nursery. BH21 3BB. Open to all members of the community.  

On Sunday June 5 Wimborne Minster Town Council will host the Big Jubilee Lunch in the High Street from midday onwards. Bring a picnic and enjoy the live music.

Big screens

In Poole a big screen will be in Falkland Square showing jubilee events throughout the weekend.

On the Saturday there will be a live music stage and on Sunday there will be a ‘jubilee street singalong’ in various locations all provided by Poole BID.

The large screen will be back in the Lower Gardens in Bournemouth showing national events being broadcast by the BBC such as the live concert, Platinum Party at the Palace and films related to the Queen’s 70-year reign.