Royal, civic and national ceremonyEurope
Lord Mayor's Show
An annual civic parade in London marking the inauguration of the Lord Mayor with a procession and pageantry.
The Lord Mayor's Show is an annual street parade held in the City of London to celebrate the inauguration of the new Lord Mayor. It dates back to the 13th century and combines traditional British pageantry with carnival elements. The event features a long procession through the city streets, culminating in the swearing-in ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice.
When is Lord Mayor's Show kept?
Lord Mayor's Show is kept on second Saturday in November.
The Lord Mayor's Show is a historic annual parade in London that marks the start of the new Lord Mayor's term. It blends old civic rituals with public entertainment. The procession travels from Guildhall to the Royal Courts of Justice, where the mayor takes an oath of loyalty. This event reflects the ancient power and prestige of the City of London office.
Origins and history
The tradition began in the 13th century when the Lord Mayor was required to travel to Westminster to swear allegiance to the sovereign. Originally, this journey was made by barge on the River Thames. Over time, the trip evolved into a grand spectacle of street pageantry. In the 16th century, it became a major public festival. The route was shortened in 1882 when the courts moved to the Strand. The show has been held annually since 1655, with only two cancellations for state funerals and the pandemic.
The procession route
The parade starts at Guildhall, where the Lord Mayor receives gifts and breakfast. The procession then moves to Mansion House, the official residence. From there, it travels through the heart of the City, passing St Paul's Cathedral. The route ends at the Royal Courts of Justice, where the oath is taken. The return journey goes via Aldwych and the Victoria Embankment. The event typically runs from late morning to mid-afternoon, followed by an evening fireworks display.
Participants and symbols
The Great Twelve Livery Companies participate as of right, along with other invited groups. Privileged regiments like the Honourable Artillery Company march with bayonets fixed. A unique feature is the presence of Gog and Magog, two woven willow giants representing the city's legendary past. These figures are paraded by volunteers. The procession also includes bands, charities, and business associations supported by the mayor. Puns on mayoral names have historically appeared in the floats.
Transport and coach
Historically, the mayor traveled by horse, coach, or barge. Since 1757, the State Coach has been used. Commissioned by Sir Charles Asgill, this coach is pulled by six horses. Two winners of the Doggett's Coat and Badge rowing race ride postillions on the carriage. An escort of liveried watermen carrying oars recalls the early river journeys. The coach remains a central symbol of the show's continuity and ceremonial importance.
How Lord Mayor's Show is kept
The Lord Mayor attends a breakfast at Guildhall before joining the procession. The parade moves through London streets, stopping at St Paul's Cathedral for a blessing. At the Royal Courts of Justice, the mayor swears allegiance. The return route passes key landmarks. The event concludes with a review of the Pikemen and Musketeers. Volunteers and livery company members help coordinate the day. The BBC broadcasts the event live.
When and where
It falls on the second Saturday in November. The date was set after calendar changes in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is scheduled one day before Remembrance Sunday.
The show takes place in the City of London, the historic financial district. The route begins at Guildhall and ends at the Royal Courts of Justice. It is strongest in London, reflecting the city's unique civic structure.
What Lord Mayor's Show means
The show symbolizes the authority and independence of the City of London. The oath-taking represents loyalty to the Crown. The willow giants connect the modern city to its pre-Roman legends. The procession honors the ancient traditions of civic governance and community service.
Questions people ask about Lord Mayor's Show
When is Lord Mayor's Show kept?
Lord Mayor's Show is kept on second Saturday in November.
What is the Lord Mayor's Show?
It is an annual parade in London celebrating the inauguration of the new Lord Mayor. It features a long procession through the city streets, combining historical ritual with public entertainment.
Where does the parade go?
The procession starts at Guildhall, travels through the City of London, stops at St Paul's Cathedral, and ends at the Royal Courts of Justice for the swearing-in ceremony.
Who participates in the show?
Participants include the Great Twelve Livery Companies, privileged military regiments, charity groups, and volunteers. The Lord Mayor's State Coach and the Gog and Magog giants are also key features.
See also
Beating RetreatA military ceremony of music and drill held at sunset to mark the end of a day or a festival.
Trooping the ColourThe annual British military parade marking the official birthday of the monarch.
Waitangi DayNew Zealand's national day remembering the 1840 founding agreement.
Swan UppingAn annual five-day royal census and health check of swans along the River ThamesGood reading and sources
- Crowds gather for Lord Mayor's Show in LondonBBC, Article
- Crowds gather for Lord Mayor's Show in LondonBBC, Article
- Lord Mayor's Show on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Lord Mayor's Show", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryParampara rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-05.
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