City of London · Three mile route · November · Free to watch
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The Lord Mayor's Show has processed through the City for eight centuries, it is free to watch, and the route runs about three miles. Like the Boat Race, that means the useful question is not whether to go but where to stand, because you see it from one place as it passes.
No ticket, no gate and no allocated space, which is why the good spots along the route are taken well before the procession starts. It also means the whole day costs you nothing beyond getting there and back.
The shape of the day
Check the current route and timings, since both are published each year.
Through the City
Around three miles of route, taking a considerable time to pass any one point.
Standing on pavements
Arrive early for a spot on the front. Grandstand seats are sold separately.
Saturday in the City
The City is largely empty on a Saturday, which makes driving in unusually easy.
On the river
A separate part of the day, several hours later.
Kent to the City
A November Saturday, when the City is otherwise one of the quietest parts of London.
| Pick-up area | Distance | Saturday journey |
|---|---|---|
| Bexleyheath & Welling | 12 miles | 30–55 min |
| Bromley & Orpington | 13 miles | 35–60 min |
| Dartford & Bluewater | 17 miles | 40–65 min |
| Gravesend & Northfleet | 23 miles | 45–75 min |
| Sevenoaks & Tonbridge | 27 miles | 50–80 min |
| Rochester & Chatham | 32 miles | 55–85 min |
| Maidstone & Aylesford | 33 miles | 60–90 min |
| Canterbury & Ashford | 56 miles | 85–120 min |
Morning show, evening fireworks
Two separate parts, and most people do one or the other rather than both.
| Part | Detail |
|---|---|
| The procession | Morning, through the City. Free, standing, arrive early |
| The middle of the day | City pubs and restaurants, most of which open specially |
| Evening fireworks | On the river, several hours later |
| Doing both | Means a long day with a gap. Perfectly manageable |
| Doing one | Which is what most people do. Tell us which |
A day at the Lord Mayor's Show
Driving into the City on a Saturday is easy
This is the unusual part. The City of London is a working district that empties at weekends, so a November Saturday morning is one of the quietest drives into central London available. The closures follow the procession route, but the approach is far more straightforward than for almost any other London event we cover.
Pick a spot and commit to it
Three miles of route, no allocated space and a procession that takes a long time to pass. Trying to follow it or see it from two places produces a morning of walking against a crowd. Choose a point, arrive early enough to get near the front, and stay there. Grandstand seating is sold separately if you would rather not stand.
Decide about the fireworks before you book
The evening fireworks are several hours after the procession, which means either a long day with a substantial gap in it or a separate trip. Both are fine and they are different bookings. Most people do one or the other, and the ones who do both tend to fill the middle with lunch somewhere in the City.
It is November, so dress accordingly
Standing on a City pavement for a couple of hours in November is colder than it sounds, particularly in the shade of tall buildings with wind funnelling between them. The same advice as our fireworks night page: layers, a proper coat and something hot.
Remembrance Sunday, the Lord Mayor's Show and Bonfire Night in 2026
Visitors in early November often ask how to see three very different events that fall within ten days of each other.
| Event | 2026 date | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Bonfire Night | Thursday 5 November | Many big park and council displays are ticketed and some run on the nearest weekend instead. Book through the organiser's own website. |
| Remembrance Sunday | Sunday 8 November | The national service is at the Cenotaph on Whitehall, with two minutes' silence at 11am. Public viewing along Whitehall is free but limited, so arrive very early and expect security checks. |
| Lord Mayor's Show | Saturday 14 November | The procession sets off from Mansion House at 11am and is free to watch along the route. Roads usually reopen before 4pm. |
- For the Lord Mayor's Show, the streets around St Paul's and Bank are the busiest. Quieter spots are further along the route.
- For Remembrance Sunday, Westminster and Charing Cross stations are very crowded. Embankment or St James's Park can be easier.
- City parking bays are suspended from the Friday afternoon before the Show.
Driving into the City on Show day is slow. If you are using a pre-booked car, set your pickup outside the closed roads. The fare is fixed when you book.
Q: Is the Lord Mayor's Show free to watch?
A: Yes. Standing along the route is free. Only grandstand seats and hospitality packages are paid.
Q: What time is the Remembrance Sunday service in London?
A: The two minutes' silence at the Cenotaph on Whitehall is at 11am. Arrive early, as viewing space fills quickly.
Lord Mayor's Show questions
A free morning procession.
Do we need tickets?
No, it is free to watch from the pavement along a three-mile route. Grandstand seating is sold separately if you prefer to sit.
Where should we stand?
Pick one spot and commit to it. The procession takes a long time to pass any one point, and trying to see it from two places means walking against a crowd.
Is it hard to drive into the City?
No, unusually. The City empties at weekends, so a November Saturday morning is one of the quietest drives into central London available.
What time should we arrive?
Early enough to get near the front, which means well before the procession starts. Check the published route and timings for the year.
Are there fireworks?
Yes, on the river in the evening, several hours after the procession. Most people do one or the other rather than both.
What should we wear?
Layers and a proper coat. Standing on a City pavement in November, with wind funnelling between tall buildings, is colder than it sounds.
Can we make a day of it?
Yes. City pubs and restaurants open specially, which fills the gap nicely if you are staying for the fireworks.
Is the fare fixed?
Yes, agreed at booking including any waiting.
Ceremonial London
The City and the state occasions.
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Frequently asked questions
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