Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry in Windsor on 19 May

The countdown is on to Prince Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle on 19 May 2018. The big day itself may be taking place of in Windsor, but plenty of Londoners will be taking to pubs and street parties to celebrate. With the special event taking part on a Saturday, that means many of us will be free to join in the revelry. It’ll be an early start with the ceremony itself kicking off at 12pm. Here’s a list of just some of the celebrations in the capital, with all taking place on 19 May unless otherwise stipulated. Fingers crossed for some good weather!

• Royal Wedding Brunch Party @ Bluebird

King’s Road destination Bluebird will be hosting a brunch party in their sunny courtyard. Watch the wedding on the big screen surrounded by bunting, balloons and bubbly. Guests can enjoy a champagne toast to the happy couple before a BBQ-style brunch by Executive Chef Simon Gregory. A DJ will be on the decks until darkness, while mixologists have created a special wedding cocktail menu. Brunch: £25pp. Bluebird, 350 King’s Road, Chelsea, SW3 5UU. Nearest stations: Fulham Broadway, South Kensington or Sloane Square. For more information, visit the Bluebird website.

• Royal Wedding 21st Century Tea Dance Party! @ Southbank Centre

The traditional tea dance is turned on its head in a special event hosted by Christopher Green and his alter ego Ida Barr. Expect a multimedia treat of live music, video, theatre, performance, storytelling, singing, dancing and the screening of the Royal Wedding. From 11am. Free. Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, South Bank, SE1 8XX. Nearest station: Waterloo. For more information and tickets, visit the Southbank Centre website.

• The Official Royal Wedding Party

Two set of festivities depending on if you’re a day or night owl in the stunning Grade II listed church. The day event will feature live streaming of the wedding, bouquet and corsage making, wedding cake decorating, Bloody Mary cocktail class, traditional British games, a hog roast and lots of champagne. There will be live big bands, first dance classes and a ‘Have I Got News For You’ style comedy panel. The evening event will feature dance classes, catch-the-bouquet, American food in honour of the bride, live tribute acts, a string quartet and wedding cake. Day event 11am-5pm, tickets £25. Night event 7pm-2am, tickets £30. One Marylebone, 1 Marylebone Road, Marylebone, NW1 4AQ. Nearest station: Great Portland Street or Regents Park. For tickets, visit the Official Royal Wedding Party website.

• The Royal Wedding @ National Maritime Museum

Watch the happy couple tie the knot on the big screen in the lawn in front of the National Maritime Museum. Royal fancy dress encouraged. 10am-3pm. Free entry. National Maritime Museum, Park Row, Greenwich, SE10 9NF. Nearest station: Maze Hill, Cutty Sark or Greenwich. For more information, visit the RMG website.

Celebrate: There will be plenty of street parties to mark the Royal Wedding

• Royal Brunch Party @ Aster

Celebrate Harry and Meghan tying the knot just a short distance from Buckingham Palace at Victoria dining destination Aster. Watch the ceremony on the big screen while feasting on a traditional brunch menu inspired by the couple and bottomless Prosecco. Also in the week running up to the royal wedding (14-19 May), Aster will be serving a special Royal Cocktail collection inspired by the pair, including The Jolly Ginger, the Botswana Sunrise, The Lost Bachelor and the Markle Sparkle. 12pm-4pm. Aster, 150 Victoria Street, Westminster, SW1E 5LB. Nearest station: Victoria. For more information, visit the Aster website. 

• Royal Wedding Screening @ Battersea Power Station

Watch the nuptials on the big screen near the iconic Battersea Power Station. Expect bunting, balloons and tiaras. There will also be Boutonniere Workshops (10am-4pm) throughout the weekend so you can learn how to make a buttonhole. 11am-3pm. Free entry. The Village Hall, Circus West Village, Battersea Power Station, SW11 8NN. Nearest station: Battersea Park or Queenstown Road Battersea. For more information, visit the Battersea Power Station website.

• Royal Wedding Party @ Sanderson London

Upmarket Fitzrovia hotel Sanderson are celebrating the big day with an evening bash at their stylish Long Bar. Featuring live music from Monroe, DJ set from London Haarlem, Royal Wedding cocktail (Bombay gin, Earl Grey tea infusion, Pink Lady apples, maple syrup and Champagne) and mini royal cupcakes. Dress to impress. 7.30pm-1.30am. Register for a free place. Long Bar, Sanderson London, 50 Berners Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 3NG. Nearest station: Tottenham Court Road, Goodge Street or Oxford Circus. For tickets, visit Eventbrite.

The capital will be decked out in flags

• Royal Rooftop Wedding Party @ Queen Of Hoxton

An alternative way to mark the nuptials with a rooftop wedding disco. A drag King Elvis will be presiding over mass wedding if you want to ‘tie the knot’ with your partner or best pal. Drink Rhubarb Gin ‘n’ Tonics or Peanut Colada cocktails, or feast on all-American vegan vs. meat burgers and hot dogs. 1pm-7pm. Tickets: £5 (advance), £8 (on the door). Queen of Hoxton, 1-5 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, EC2A 3JX. Nearest station: Old Street, Shoreditch High Street or Liverpool Street. For more information, visit the Queen of Hoxton website.

• Chelsea Physic Garden Royal Wedding Open Day

The Chelsea Physic Garden are opening their gates for free with a day of festivities to celebrate the Royal Wedding. Watch the ceremony on the big screen, take the self-led ‘Royal’ mystery trail, make-a-flower-crown workshop, sip on a ‘Minty Markle’ cocktail, and enjoy the special food menu. 11am-6pm. Free entry. Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, SW3 4HS. Nearest station: South Kensington, Battersea Park or Queenstown Road Battersea. For more information, visit the CPG website.

• Royal Wedding Kids’ Event

Let your children embrace the fun of the day with dressing up like a royal, guess the corgi’s name and ‘meet the Queen’. 12pm-6pm. Free entry. Centre Court, Brent Cross Shopping Centre, Brent Cross, NW4 3FP. Nearest station: Brent Cross. For more information, visit the Brent Cross website.

• Royal Wedding Live @ Hilton Metropole

Watch the live broadcast in the EDG Bar & Whisky Lounge following a sparkling wine reception. Enjoy a royal-themed Afternoon Tea accompanied by Pimm’s. 12pm-4pm. £28pp. Hilton London Metropole, 225 Edgware Road, Paddington, W2 1JU. Nearest station: Edgware Road. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.

• Royal Wedding Live @ Bōkan

Feast on a picnic while watching Meg and Hazza say ‘I do’ at the bar and terrace of Bōkan. Enjoy stunning views from the 38th and 39th floor. There will also be a special cocktail, Markle’s Sparkle, plenty of bunting and Meghan and Harry masks. Picnic £20pp. Bōkan, Floor 37-39, 40 Marsh Wall, Docklands, E14 9TP. Nearest station: South Quay (DLR) or Canary Wharf. For more information, visit the Bokan website.

Invitations to the wedding of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have been issued in the name of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. pic.twitter.com/jidwuYboon

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2018

For a guide to what else is on in London in May, click here.

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