About The Lord Mayor's Show:
Henry Fitzailwyn was London's first Lord Mayor in 1189 and the first Lord Mayor's Show was in 1215. The reason for the procession is for the Lord Mayor to pledge his allegiance to the Crown (the current king or queen).
The new Lord Mayor is required to swear a pledge his allegiance in front of the Lord Chief Justice and Judges of the Queen's Bench Division, hence the route from Mansion House in the City of London (the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London) to the Royal Courts of Justice.
The Lord Mayor's Show was the first event to be broadcast live on television. The BBC cameras film from Mansion House each year to an audience of millions.
New City of London Board Game:
You can support the Lord Mayor's Appeal and Lord Mayor’s Show by buying the City of London board game.
2009 Date:
Saturday 14 November 2009
The Lord Mayor's Show is an annual London event on the 2nd Saturday in November.
Timing:
More than 6,000 people of all ages take part in the three mile long procession. Arrive early; by 10.30am the route is always full of spectators.
- 11am: Procession leaves from the Guildhall to Royal Courts of Justice.
- 11am-12.30pm: About 1.5 hours to reach Royal Courts of Justice
(nearest tube: Holborn).
- 12.30-1pm: The procession pauses while the Lord Mayor takes his oath.
- 1pm: Procession returns from Victoria Embankment to Mansion House.
- 1-2.30pm: Return procession.
- 3pm: Optional free walking tours of the City of London.
- 5pm: Firework Display (see below).
Firework Display:
At 5pm the new Lord Mayor launches an amazing half hour firework display. The fireworks are launched from a barge moored on the River Thames between Waterloo and Blackfriars bridges. The organizers recommend watching from Victoria Embankment, Blackfriars Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, or anywhere on the South Bank between the National Theatre and the Tate Modern. (Note: Blackfriars Bridge is reserved for disabled people and families with small children.)
Where To Watch the Procession:
Anywhere along the route will give you a good view but the organizers recommend, for the return journey, Queen Victoria Street and Embankment. (You can print a copy of the route map.)
Official Website:
