A Right Royal Docks Jubilee!

A party fit for a queen is in store when the Commonwealth Games Baton Relay arrives in the Royal Docks on 5 June to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.

A Right Royal Docks Jubilee! features grime artists, world-class ballet dancers, sculptors, painters, footballers, a 25-boat flotilla, street parties and a free concert called A Right Royal Docks Knees Up.

The Queen’s Baton Relay gets the party started in style, as it travels around this vibrant part of London, visiting all the events taking place to celebrate the Queen’s historic 70 years of service. Let’s take a look at some of the places you can see it, and the exciting events happening at each one:

2.30pm: Ballet on The Green by ExCel

The Queen’s Baton Relay will be welcomed at the west end of Royal Victoria Dock (named after Queen Elizabeth’s great-great-grandmother), by English National Ballet’s ENBYouthCo, Artistry Youth Dance Company, East London Dance’s Leap of Faith, in a collaboration with local dancers.

The baton, which is visiting all 72 Commonwealth countries on a 294-day trip around the world, will be passed to one of the dancers, triggering an exclusive performance created by English National Ballet with a new score by Benjamin Kahn. Performed alongside the Royal Docks’ renowned heritage cranes, with the London skyline on the horizon, this will be a stunning spectacle and a unique opportunity to be wowed by world-class local dancers in an event made specially for this occasion. What a way to announce the start of this special day of festivities.

3pm-3.30pm: The Royal Docks

Then the baton, which contains a message from the Queen to the Commonwealth, takes to the water on an eye-popping 25-boat flotilla featuring a variety of watercraft from dragon boats to rowing boats and international lifeboats. It will travel the length of Royal Victoria Dock to Royal Albert Wharf in the safe hands of a batonbearer who will be transported across the water by Royal Docks watersports clubs. Head to the dock edge walkway along the length of ExCel London or by Royal Albert Dock Trust by 3pm to catch all the action.

4pm: Pumping Station Square

It’s time to join the baton back on dry land as it reaches Pumping Station Square at Royal Albert Wharf. Here, fantastic artists from Bow Arts’ RAW Labs will be hosting drawing, sculpting and puppeteering sessions for families together with music and a festive food and beverage offer as they wait to greet the Queen’s baton. You can join in for free – it gets underway at 4pm.

3pm: A Right Royal Docks Knees Up - Royal Victoria Gardens

Meanwhile, in Royal Victoria Gardens from 3pm get ready for A Right Royal Docks Knees Up.

The free family-friendly afternoon of fun includes a celebration concert hosted by BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ and broadcaster Swarzy Macaly, a traditional East London pram race, plus food and drink stalls and a party atmosphere - you won’t want to miss this.

Joining Macaly on the main stage will be BollyRed dancers, who’ll put on a dynamic performance of fusion routines inspired by Bollywood. And if that’s inspired you to dance, get down to the sounds of classic grooves as Capitol Motown And Soul Band play a selection of greatest hits from the world-famous Detroit label, the funk of Fame Records and the soulful Stax Records.

African World Pop musician Vincent Bugozi and his band bring incredible energy with a set of Afrobeat, Reggae, Afrocuban, and Pop. Famous for performing in Kitenge suits handmade in Tanzania, the group brings a super-colourful vibe to their high-energy show.

As part of the A Right Royal Dock’s Knees Up event, the Royal Docks Team are pleased to be hosting Newham’s Moving Market. With a wide range of stalls offering candles to hand painted cards, children’s books, jewellery, organic skincare, perfumes and delicious cakes and bakes this really is the perfect opportunity to come along and get your hands on some amazing locally made items.

The Queen’s Baton Relay will join the fun at A Right Royal Docks Knees Up, arriving at the festivities in time to join the pram race, tour the gardens to take in everything happening at this coming together of cultures from across the Royal Docks, and then arrive on stage with a rousing show from the Royal Docks’ talented young artists working with grime legends, Ruff Sqwad Arts Foundation.

A Right Royal Docks Jubilee! is organised by the Royal Docks Team, which celebrates the area’s heritage while helping drive the creative future of London’s youngest and most diverse community.

Launching as part of the event is a special outdoor portrait and oral history exhibition, first of a series of Heritage projects supported by the Royal Docks Team, presented by Rosetta Arts and created to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Everyone is invited to come along and discover heritage stories from community members across Newham as well as their connections with the reign of Her Majesty the Queen. Read more here.

There’s so much happening on 5 June and the Royal Docks is extending a warm East London welcome to communities across the capital to join our festivities - how much do you think you can pack into your fab day? We can’t wait to see you there.