The Lord Mayor’s Show 2026
The Lord Mayor's Show takes place annually in the City of London, drawing spectators to the capital every autumn. For an entire Saturday, the Square Mile functions as a civic processional route for marching bands, livery companies, military units, and historical transport vehicles. Over 7,000 participants, 200 horses, and dozens of floats accompany the State Coach, which conveys the newly elected Lord Mayor through public streets. The event combines civic protocol with public street pageantry, providing visitors and residents with access to London's civic traditions dating from the thirteenth century.
What is the history of the Lord Mayor's Show?
The Lord Mayor's Show history began in 1215 when King John issued a Royal Charter permitting the City of London to elect its own mayor. The charter established one legal requirement: the newly elected mayor had to journey upriver to Westminster to swear allegiance to the monarch.
During the medieval period, the mayor made this journey by river barge along the Thames, escorted by City livery companies. Over eight centuries, that statutory obligation evolved into a public street procession. Today, the parade marks the public entrance into office of the newly appointed Lord Mayor of the City of London following the Silent Ceremony.
What date is the Lord Mayor's show in London this year?
The Lord Mayor's Show takes place on Saturday, 14 November 2026. The main procession departs Mansion House at 11:00, heads west toward the Royal Courts of Justice, and completes its return route along Victoria Embankment back to Mansion House by 14:40.
Official Show Programme and Timetable
The official event schedule coordinates the continuous movement of over three miles of marching serials and pageantry across the capital, presenting one of the most accessible cultural attractions in London:
| Time | Location | Event / Movement |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 | Mansion House / Bank | Outward procession sets off with leading military bands |
| 11:13 | St Paul's Churchyard | Head of the outward procession reaches the cathedral |
| 11:26 | Royal Courts of Justice | Head of the outward procession arrives in Westminster |
| 12:00 | Mansion House | Lord Mayor boards the golden State Coach |
| 12:11 | St Paul's Cathedral | Dean of St Paul's delivers an outdoor blessing to the Lord Mayor |
| 12:31 | Royal Courts of Justice | Lord Mayor arrives to swear the judicial oath of allegiance |
| 12:35 | Royal Courts of Justice | Final cleaning teams and support vehicles complete outward leg |
| 13:10 | Temple Place | Return procession departs via Victoria Embankment |
| 13:18 | Blackfriars | Procession passes Blackfriars Bridge |
| 13:33 | Mansion House | Head of the return procession reaches Bank Junction |
| 14:33 | Mansion House | Lord Mayor returns home accompanied by the Pikemen display |
| 15:00 | No 1 Poultry | Free official guided walking tours begin |
Where is the best place to watch the Lord Mayor's Show?
Selecting a Lord Mayor's Show location depends on whether spectators prefer viewing the civic departure points or the river perimeter.
Bank Junction and Mansion House
Bank Junction serves as the starting point of the procession. Spectators can view the Lord Mayor enter the State Coach as military bands lead the procession toward Poultry. Crowds gather early here, requiring arrival before 10:00 to secure barrier space.
St Paul's Churchyard
The southern perimeter of St Paul's Cathedral accommodates large numbers of standing visitors. The procession halts outside the cathedral west steps at approximately 12:20, where the Dean of St Paul's delivers a blessing to the Lord Mayor.
Fleet Street and the Royal Courts of Justice
Fleet Street provides viewing corridors as units march toward the western City boundary. Spectators positioned outside the Royal Courts of Justice can observe the arrival of the State Coach before the Lord Mayor enters the building to swear the judicial oath.
Victoria Embankment and Temple
The return procession departs Temple at 13:15 and proceeds east along Victoria Embankment toward Blackfriars. This riverside section receives fewer spectators than the morning route, providing open sightlines.
Road Closures
The City of London Corporation closes the event area to vehicular traffic:
- Street Closures: Roads across the City close to traffic from 07:00 (Princes Street from 00:00; Bank area from 05:00) until 16:00. The perimeter spans from Kingsway to Bishopsgate, and from the Thames north to Holborn.
- River Crossings: Blackfriars Bridge closes to vehicle traffic for the duration of the event. Southwark Bridge permits access only to Upper Thames Street, while London Bridge remains open.
- Buses and Parking: Transport for London diverts bus routes around the City perimeter. Street parking bays are suspended from Friday afternoon onward.
How to get there
Vehicular access into the Square Mile is prohibited on Show Day. Visitors must travel via rail, underground, or river services:
- London Underground: Central, Northern, District, and Circle lines provide access via Bank, St Paul's, Mansion House, Monument, and Blackfriars stations.
- National Rail and Elizabeth Line: City Thameslink and Blackfriars stations sit directly on the route. Farringdon provides Elizabeth line access within walking distance of the closure perimeter.
- River Services: Uber Boat by Thames Clippers stops at Blackfriars Pier and Bankside Pier, allowing visitors to walk to Victoria Embankment or across Millennium Bridge.
- Walking and cycling: Walking across London Bridge or Millennium Bridge provides direct access. Personal bicycles may enter pedestrianised streets, but cycling along the active processional route is prohibited.
Rules and visitor tips
- Pedestrian crossings: Marshals close surface street crossings along the active route at 11:00. Pedestrians must use underground subways located at Bank, Mansion House, Blackfriars, or City Thameslink.
- Rental e-bikes and scooters: Rental operators geofence the City from 05:00 to 17:00, preventing device entry and suspending docking points.
- Event programmes: Official programmes cost £5 from volunteer sellers and require payment in cash only.
- Security: Police officers maintain security checks at barrier entry points. Visitors should avoid carrying large bags to reduce transit delays.
Visit St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral remains open to the public on Show Day. Visitors can enter the Cathedral Floor and Crypt without an entry fee and without advance booking (last admission at 16:00). The cathedral also holds an organ showcase under the dome from 13:15 to 14:00, providing indoor public access before the return procession reaches Queen Victoria Street.