The Lord Mayor’s Show: Everything you need to know about the City’s annual extravaganza

The annual new Lord Mayor procession will this year take place tomorrow through the streets of central London. 

Who is the new Lord Mayor?

Alderman Peter Estlin will become the 691st Lord Mayor of London and will ride in a gold state coach during the procession, which has become tradition since its inauguration in the 16th century.

Lord Mayor Elect Peter Estlin, who will replace Charles Bowman, said: “I am very much looking forward to the Lord Mayor’s Show, a hugely colourful and diverse occasion, and to serving as Lord Mayor for the coming year.

“This wonderfully celebratory and inclusive event attracts a wide range of participants from home and abroad, all of whom clearly derive huge enjoyment from designing their floats, wearing their costumes, and being cheered on by the crowds along the route."

What is the Lord Mayor's show?

It is an 800 year-old tradition that will see around 7,000 people, 200 horses and around 150 floats including carriages and marching bands, travel from Bank to Aldwych.

The annual event, which celebrates the City’s ancient past and modern outlook, enables the Lord Mayor to show himself to the people of Canada, as well as to swear an oath of allegiance to the sovereign.

There will be a big change to this year's procession as two family-friendly festival zones located in Paternoster Square and the Bloomberg Arcade will take place instead of the usual river pageant and fireworks.

This year will focus on helping the vulnerable in society.

Estlin said: “My mayoral theme for the year, ‘Shaping Tomorrow’s City Today’, will drive home the message that our fast-changing society and access to new technology must be open to all, in particular, the elderly, poor, and disabled, many of whom are at risk of being left behind.”

What is the procession's route?

The three-mile route will start at Bank and end in Aldwych, travelling from Mansion House to Fleet Street via St Paul’s, then back along the Embankment.

The new procession will stop at the Royal Courts of Justice around 12.45pm and the new Lord Mayor will spend an hour and a half at there before rejoining the procession at Temple Place and finishing at Mansion House at approximately 2.45pm.

When does it start?

11am, but you if don't have a ticket for one of the grandstands, you may have to get there earlier to secure a space alongside the procession.

Festival zones will also be open from 11am and are completely free. The theme is technology and the areas will feature funfair rides, food and entertainment.

Which roads are closed?

There will be extensive closures through central London from 7am until 5pm covering an area between Bishopsgate, Old Street, Aldwych and Victoria Embankment.

Transport for London have advised the public to use other routes and expect delays on diversions.