Plan Your Visit
09.11.2024

Lord Mayor’s Show

A big day in the City’s calendar

Visit the City on Saturday 9 November and watch the 2024 Lord Mayor’s Show, one of the biggest days in the City of London each year.

Enjoy the spectacle and welcome the new Lord Mayor, travelling in the gleaming State Coach. There's plenty of places to watch from along the route from Mansion House to the Royal Courts of Justice and back! Note that there's a different route in each direction.

The Lord Mayor's Show is an annual event that dates back over 800 years. The original purpose of this historic event was to welcome the new Lord Mayor, and to "show" them to the people of the City. During the procession the Lord Mayor will swear an oath of allegiance to the sovereign at the Royal Courts of Justice.

The Show will be a vibrant mix of sights and sounds as all the different elements that go to make the Square Mile unique come together –  you'll see marching bands, City livery companies - some in traditional outfits, modern businesses, alongside community groups, schools, and charities. Usually over 7,000 people, 200 horses, and around 150 groups and floats take part in a three mile-long procession to mark the Lord Mayor’s first full day in office.

Find out more about the Lord Mayor of the City of London.

More information about the show itself can be found on the Lord Mayor's Show website.

Why not make a full day of it with plenty of other things to see & do in the City after the show: 

  • Pop into the City Information Centre near St Paul's Cathedral for advice on things to do and to pick up the City Visitor Trail.
    • You can also buy a copy of the official programme for the Lord Mayor's Show.
  • Visit the Guildhall Art Gallery (Open 1pm-4pm, Free Entry)
    • Look out for the artworks of the Lord Mayor's Show in previous years, and see a wide range of paintings depicting London over 350 years!
  • Discover London's Roman Amphitheatre - step into Roman ruins where crowds once gathered to watch wild animal fights, public executions and gladiatorial combat. (Open 1pm-4pm, Free Entry)
  • Explore the City with free self-guided walking trails - City Visitor Trail, or Children's Trail - pick up free printed maps from City Information Centre, Guildhall or Guildhall Art Gallery.
  • Enjoy a wide range of attractions, museums and galleries across the City.
  • Find places to eat and drink, with a variety of restaurants, cafes and bars for all tastes.
  • Opportunities for shopping.
  • Note: Special openings and offers for Saturday 9 November 2024 will be updated nearer to the event.

Getting there

The City has plenty of transport links but check with TfL for service changes. There will be significant road closures and restrictions in place to accommodate the procession - so drivers should check their route - and no buses can travel through the City of London or along the Embankment from 7am until about 4pm.

Related events

Pardner Hand – A Caribbean answer to British banking exclusion
This exhibition explores a way of saving popularised by the Windrush Generation, which empowered Caribbean people to save money and build a life in the UK.
The Conservatory x Ranjani Shettar
Cloud songs on the horizon is the artist’s first major institutional show in Europe and will feature five new, large-scale suspended sculptures across the entirety of the Conservatory space.
Folio 400: Shakespeare in Print
Drawing on Guildhall Library’s remarkable Shakespeare collections, this exhibition examines the history of the printing of William Shakespeare’s plays.
Christopher Wren: The Quest for Knowledge
Investigate the genius of Christopher Wren and his ever-enquiring mind in this new exhibition at St Paul's Cathedral - said to be Wren's masterpiece.
The Tower Bridge Cat Trail
02.01.2024 31.10.2024

The Tower Bridge Cat Trail

Tower Bridge
Inspired by 'The Tower Bridge Cat' and the characters from the award-winning books, families are invited to complete our interactive Trail as they make their way through Tower Bridge.
The Future of Money
28.02.2024 01.09.2025

The Future of Money

Bank of England Museum
A new free exhibition at the Bank of England Museum will take a tantalising look into the future - and the quickly evolving present - of money.
Ibrahim Mahama: Purple Hibiscus
Transforming the Barbican’s famous Lakeside Terrace, the site-specific artwork will dramatically envelop the building’s iconic concrete exterior with approximately 2000 square metres of bespoke woven cloth.
Anne Desmet: Kaleidoscope/London Exhibition
Celebrate the work of artist and specialist wood engraver Anne Desmet, at this new exhibition at Guildhall Art Gallery from 12 April to 8 September 2024.
Anne Desmet: Kaleidoscope/London Exhibition Tours
Join artist and co-curator Anne Desmet RA for an extended guided tour of the Kaleidoscope/London exhibition at Guildhall Art Gallery.
Engel Terrace
20.05.2024 30.09.2024

Engel Terrace

The Royal Exchange
Bringing the spirit of the roaring twenties onto the iconic steps of The Royal Exchange, this pop-up outdoor terrace is open for the summer.
Pop-Up Monthly Markets: Vintage Furniture & Flea presented by Judy’s
Putting the market back into Leadenhall, don't miss these monthly pop-up Sunday Markets filled with furniture and fashion.
Pan Pacific London Summer Terrace
01.06.2024 29.09.2024

Pan Pacific London Summer Terrace

The Roseblood Terrace on the Plaza brings the essence of Provence's captivating countryside to the middle of the bustling City, and offers an ideal setting for casual lunches, evening drinks and al fresco gatherings.
Barbican Lakeside Lounge – Outdoor Terrace
The Barbican Centre’s picnic garden on the Lakeside Terrace is back for summer 2024!
London Festival of Architecture 2024 – in the City
Discover stunning outdoor art installations in the City of London during London Festival of Architecture (LFA).
SQUIGGLE – Interactive Outdoor Art Installation
Embark on a transformative journey through the unexpected with NEON's SQUIGGLE, an outdoor immersive art installation.
The Amicable Societies Summer Terrace
The Amicable Societies Summer Terrace combines delicious culinary delights, a festival of sports, and live music and movie screenings.
Theatre: Kiss Me, Kate
04.06.2024 14.09.2024

Theatre: Kiss Me, Kate

Barbican Centre
Don't miss this star-packed, all-zinging, all-dancing musical comedy.
Pop-up Monthly Markets: SoLo Craft Fair
Putting the market back into Leadenhall, don't miss these monthly pop-up Saturday Markets filled with unique hand-crafted items.
Summer of Sport in The City
14.06.2024 08.09.2024

Summer of Sport in The City

Enjoy sports activities in the City, including table tennis, crazy golf and fitness classes, or watch major sporting events live on big screens!
The Wave by The Westin London City
A powerful and playful indoor installation honouring the River Thames to raise awareness of its biodiversity.
Open Garden Evenings at Charterhouse
Visit the stunning Charterhouse Gardens on selected summer evenings - enjoy a relaxing evening with live music.
Outdoor Exhibition: Launching A Landmark
Tower Bridge is celebrating 130 years with a free, summer-long exhibition you won't want to miss.
Heritage Gallery Exhibition: Tower Bridge
A new free display celebrating 130 years of Tower Bridge by London Metropolitan Archives.
Exhibition / Francis Alÿs
Ricochets is a major new exhibition by renowned Mexico-based artist Francis Alÿs – his first and largest institutional solo exhibition in the UK for over a decade.
Play Cycles Are Go!
A free and fun pop-up play programme that is cycling across London during the summer holidays!
Sports Fest 2024
01.07.2024 28.09.2024

Sports Fest 2024

Sports Fest 2024 is in full swing across Aldgate and Cheapside, with an incredible calendar of sporting games happening across the city.
Screen On The Green – Seething Lane Garden
The outdoor Screen on the Green at Seething Lane Gardens will be showing sports and movies for free throughout the summer.
Exhibition: Desks, Drudgery and the Dictionary
After a 250-year absence, the ‘Dictionary Desk’ of celebrated 18th century writer Samuel Johnson makes a historic return to his former abode, Dr Johnson’s House in the City of London.
Unwind in the City
11.07.2024 29.08.2024

Unwind in the City

Broadworks
A free 8 week programme of cultural events taking place at Broadworks by Hive Curates.
Rough Trade pop-up store arrives at the Barbican Shop
The Barbican Shop will host a pop-up store for legendary independent music retailer Rough Trade from July 2024 until the end of the year.
Reimagining Londinium
26.07.2024 01.09.2024

Reimagining Londinium

Discover a new art trail in the City of London and find six new artworks inspired By Roman London from 26 July – 01 September.
Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra: Beethoven’s Ninth
On the evening of 29 July, the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra will join the Royal Opera House’s Songs for Ukraine Chorus in a historic performance at London’s St Paul’s Cathedral. 
Our Street
01.08.2024 23.08.2024

Our Street

Barbican Art Gallery & The Curve
Step into this playful and engaging community space where the whole family can unleash their creative side and join in with the free fun and games. 
Sunset Lates at Horizon 22
02.08.2024 30.08.2024

Sunset Lates at Horizon 22

Horizon 22
Enjoy spectacular summer sunsets with a glass of bubbly at the highest viewing gallery in the UK.
Victorian London in Photographs
This temporary outdoor exhibition showcases The London Metropolitan Archive’s extraordinary range of photographs from Queen Victoria’s reign which record the city and its people in stunning detail.
Anne Desmet Family Day
A special Summer Holiday family friendly activity day responding to themes of our current exhibition – Anne Desmet Kaleidoscope: London.
Second Saturday (August) – Family activities at Guildhall Art Gallery
Join the newly launched ‘Play Cycles’ - a family-friendly pop-up event in Guildhall yard in collaboration with the Museum of London
Gladiators to centurions, uncovering the archaeology of north-west Londinium
Explore three of the best-preserved Roman sites in London with archaeologist Dr Andrew Lane.
Anne Desmet Intermediate Wood Engraving Workshop
Gain more experience of wood engraving at this interactive intermediate workshop by artist and exhibition co-curator Anne Desmet RA.
Outdoor Cinema at the Barbican
Enjoy the warm summer evenings filled with fantastic films on a giant outdoor screen in the Barbican's Sculpture Court.
Anne Desmet: Kaleidoscope/London Wood Engraving Workshop
Join artist and co-curator Anne Desmet RA for this interactive 'introduction to wood engraving' workshop.
Exhibition / Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum
In her first solo exhibition at a major UK institution, Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum creates dynamic works newly commissioned for The Curve.
Thames Day
An exciting day of activity, Thames Day celebrates World Rivers Day and the significance of the river Thames to the nation's capital city. Taking place on 22 September on the riverside in the City of London, there will be a programme of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy.
City Festival of Music, Invention & Knowledge
This autumn, the City Festival of Music, Invention & Knowledge celebrates the City’s unique environment, beauty and creativity through a two week programme of live music and performance.
Gotts Street Park and Friends
Gotts Street Park makes its Barbican debut with a live presentation of some of the Leeds-based trio’s favourite studio moments and collaborations so far – from their first release, right up until today.