Get set for a weekend full of Diamond Jubilee fun!

In addition to all of the street parties going on, there are lots of public events where communities can get together and enjoy picnics, entertainment and even witness the age-old tradition of beacon-lighting on Dunstable Downs.

>> We’d love to see your photos of your Diamond Jubilee celebrations – you can email them to [email protected]

On Saturday, High Town residents can celebrating the Diamond Jubilee with a special street party between 2pm and 6pm in High Town Road.

There’s a Jubilee Big Lunch and art exhibition, at Sundon Park Baptist Church in Sundon Park Road, from 10am - 3pm, with paintings all by local artists, many for sale. Lunch starts at 1pm, to book a place call 01582 576974 before Saturday.

TheStopsley Jubilee Festival takes place from 3-5pm at Stopsley Community Primary School playground entrance. Bring a picnic, chairs or rug to share street party-style refreshments and join in with Victorian sports and games. Optional Victorian fancy dress for a fancy dress parade at 4pm.

In Toddington, the village Jubilee celebrations will see a parade through the village at 12noon, and from 1pm until 4pm there will be children’s activities on the green, five-a-side football at the Luton Road recreation ground and an open day at the tennis club. A tea dance takes place from 3pm-5pm, the social club will host a children’s disco from 4pm to 6pm, local bands play on the green from 5pm-7pm and a barn dance with a live band, bar and hog roast starts at the village hall at 7.30pm.

Sunday will see the Love Luton Diamond Jubilee Celebration in St George’s Square from 11am to 5pm, with the Luton Cultural Food Festival, fun for children with a free bungee ride, colouring competition and children’s entertainment.

The day is also part of the national ‘Big Lunch’ event that is being held across the country. Chairs and tables will be provided in the square so come along, enjoy the food on offer or bring a picnic and be part of Luton’s own giant street party.

In Farley Hill the FarleyFestival & Diamond Jubilee celebration takes place in Market Square from 10am, featuring inflatables, stalls and fairground rides with a tea party at 3pm.

Monday sees celebrations at Wardown Museum with royal craft activities, cake and gift stalls and a recipe swap marquee. Entry is free but small donations or charges may apply for some activities.

Stockwood Discovery Centre will be celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee with a special carriage event, where visitors can learn more about the Mossman Collection and horse care, and enjoy carriage rides, craft schools, and children’s activities. Free entry.

In Caddington there will be a right Royal knees-up on the village green from 2.30pm. Revellers are invited to bring their own picnic and enjoy music, entertainment, food stalls and a BBQ.

A whole day of events is taking place at Dunstable Downs, with a History Festival starting at 11am. The festival will include a Viking living history camp with demonstrations of weapons, coin-striking and calligraphy.

Youngsters can dress up for a Viking fancy dress competition, there will be food including a hog roast and the day will culminate in a Viking duel re-enactment and the lighting of the jubilee beacon at 10.01pm.

>> AND DON’T MISS our fantastic Diamond Jubilee microsite where you can read all about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and find out about her links with Luton.

The microsite will take you on a virtual journey through time from Elizabeth’s accession and coronation, through to her visits to Luton and other towns in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

You can also view fantastic photographs from the 1950s and 60s documenting the Queen’s visits to St Mary’s Church and to the new Central Library.