We like the Royals, we really do. First Wills decided to man up and marry Kate giving us an extra bank holiday last Easter, and now we get to celebrate Queenie's 60th year on the thone with a four-day weekend. God save the lot of them!

That's right, the workers amongst you will get four straight days of lie-ins, sunbathing (if you're lucky) and Jeremy Kyle.

The bad news is that for many of you life doesn’t stop on bank holidays - exams, essays and dissertations continue.

However, when you’re not cramming here’s a list of great excuses to procrastinate - put off that deadline and spend some quality time outside the library. Here’s our run-down on the free events planned to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee:

1,000 boat Thames river procession

• Day: Sunday
• Time: 2-6pm
• Place: Thames Riverside

Every type of boat you can imagine will be drifting down the Thames in one of the biggest flotillas ever! Boats from all over the world will be decorated in union flags, playing music and jetting water high up into the air.

Diamond Jubilee Festival

• Day: Sunday
• Time: 12-7pm
• Places: Battersea Park

Battersea Park will be full of old-fashioned music, dancing and other vintage entertainment including a fun fair. It will also home to a pub containing pop-up cut-outs of famous kings and queens and one of the largest cake stands around serving diamond jubilee themed treats. Unfortunately I lied about this being free…but it’s only £5 per ticket.

The carriage procession

• Day: Tuesday
• Time: Yet to be confirmed
• Place: The route from Buckingham Palace to St Paul’s cathedral

Crowds are set to watch the queen and select family members as they travel in a formal carriage procession to the Thanksgiving service being held at St Paul’s Cathedral.

The Big Jubilee Weekend

• Day: Saturday to Tuesday
• Time: All weekend
• Place: Birmingham city centre

There will be a giant screen in Victoria Square to broadcast events happening in London. The annual Spring Festival held in Canon Hill Park is putting on special fifties themed entertainment while the annual Lord Mayor’s show will have the usual craft stalls, army displays, recruitment stands and a main stage showcasing local dancers & singers.

Watch the Buckingham Palace concert on TV

• Day: Monday
• Place: BBC1 or on big screens in St James Park, Green Park or The Mall

This will include the biggest artists from past and present performing just outside Buckingham Palace. From Jessie J, Annie Lennox & JLS to Elton John, Cliff Richards & Tom Jones, all the bases are covered.

The Big Lunch

• Day: Sunday
• Time: Lunchtime!
• Place: Out on your street

Whether it’s simply sharing lunch with neighbours outside or a proper street party with music, decorations and a bouncy castle, this is your excuse to have an outdoor party and resolve any tensions between you and those living nextdoor. As long as permission is granted, any road can be blocked for a day of outdoor partying!

The lighting of 2,012 Beacons

• Day: Monday
• Time: 10:30pm
• Place: Yet to be confirmed

Starting with the Queen who will light the National Beacon at half ten, 2,012 beacons will be lit across the UK including the Tower of London, St James’ Palace and Lambeth Palace.

Tags: Free stuff