The new royal barge "The Gloriana" preparing for launch on the River Thames, London, England. "The Gloriana," which will be crewed by 18 oarsmen, will lead the flotilla of over 1000 river craft carrying Queen Elizabeth II on June 3, 2012.
The Thames Diamond Jubilee River Pageant —
The new royal barge "The Gloriana" preparing for launch on the River Thames, London, England. "The Gloriana," which will be crewed by 18 oarsmen, will lead the flotilla of over 1000 river craft carrying Queen Elizabeth II on June 3, 2012.
Getty Images
Head of Historic Carving Alan Lamb, poses next to the royal cypher that will decorate the Royal Barge in which the queen will travel along the Thames during the river pageant on June 3.
Building the Royal Barge —
Head of Historic Carving Alan Lamb, poses next to the royal cypher that will decorate the Royal Barge in which the queen will travel along the Thames during the river pageant on June 3.
AFP/Getty Images
The contents of the Diamond Jubilee concert picnic. British celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal and Royal Chef Mark Flanagan collaborated on the contents of the picnic hamper that invited guests will be treated to during the Buckingham Palace garden party on June 4 event.
Concert picnic —
The contents of the Diamond Jubilee concert picnic. British celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal and Royal Chef Mark Flanagan collaborated on the contents of the picnic hamper that invited guests will be treated to during the Buckingham Palace garden party on June 4 event.
AFP/Getty Images
Tourists admire the view of Saint Paul's Cathedral from an open-top bus. The queen will visit the church on the morning of June 5 for the national Service of Thanksgiving before the procession and flypast at Buckingham Palace.
St Paul's Cathedral —
Tourists admire the view of Saint Paul's Cathedral from an open-top bus. The queen will visit the church on the morning of June 5 for the national Service of Thanksgiving before the procession and flypast at Buckingham Palace.
AFP/Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip ride in the Golden State Carriage during a parade to celebrate the queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002. They are expected to ride in a similar carriage for the Diamond Jubilee procession on Tuesday 5 June.
The procession —
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip ride in the Golden State Carriage during a parade to celebrate the queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002. They are expected to ride in a similar carriage for the Diamond Jubilee procession on Tuesday 5 June.
Getty Images
Crowds fill The Mall in central London to watch a flypast after a parade as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations for Elizabeth II.
Crowds gather for flypast —
Crowds fill The Mall in central London to watch a flypast after a parade as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations for Elizabeth II.
AFP/Getty Images
Fireworks burst over Buckingham Palace in 2002 after the queen lit a beacon to commemorate her Golden Jubilee.
Beacon lighting —
Fireworks burst over Buckingham Palace in 2002 after the queen lit a beacon to commemorate her Golden Jubilee.
AFP/Getty Images
A British soldier holds a medal specially created for the diamond jubilee celebrations. Soldiers from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment will escort the queen during her procession on June 5.
Diamond Jubilee service medal —
A British soldier holds a medal specially created for the diamond jubilee celebrations. Soldiers from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment will escort the queen during her procession on June 5.
AFP/Getty Images
Neighbors mark the Golden Jubilee during one of the numerous street parties held across the United Kingdom in June 2002. More of the same are expected during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Street parties across the country —
Neighbors mark the Golden Jubilee during one of the numerous street parties held across the United Kingdom in June 2002. More of the same are expected during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
AFP/Getty Images
Members of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment parade on their horses during the Major General's inspection at Hyde Park in central London, on March 28, 2012 which they must pass to take part in state ceremonial activities.
The Household Cavalry —
Members of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment parade on their horses during the Major General's inspection at Hyde Park in central London, on March 28, 2012 which they must pass to take part in state ceremonial activities.
AFP/Getty Images
Buckingham Palace, seen from the Queen Victoria Memorial, illuminated at night.
Buckingham Palace —
Buckingham Palace, seen from the Queen Victoria Memorial, illuminated at night.
Getty Images
Around a million people gathered outside Buckingham Palace in June 2002, at a concert to commemorate the queen's Golden Jubilee. A similar concert is planned for Monday 4 June for the Diamond Jubilee.
Mall crowds —
Around a million people gathered outside Buckingham Palace in June 2002, at a concert to commemorate the queen's Golden Jubilee. A similar concert is planned for Monday 4 June for the Diamond Jubilee.
AFP/Getty Images
What's on over Diamond Jubilee weekend

On June 3 - 5, the UK’s Queen Elizabeth II marks her Diamond Jubilee year with a series of parties and pageants. CNN’s Piers Morgan and Brooke Baldwin will be there to follow the festivities. Join them at the following times: June 4: 1730 (ET), 2230 (CET); June 5: 0900 (ET), 1400 (CET).

Story highlights

All you need to know about the celebrations of the Queen's 60-year reign

Need-to-know guide: Find out where to go, what you can do and when it's going to happen

Key players -- Who's going and to what event? We've got the details

CNN  — 

Excitement is building for what are expected to be jubilant festivities to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th year on the throne.

The flags are already out across the United Kingdom and CNN will be at the heart of action as the country gears up for a long weekend of revelry from June 2-5.

CNN International will be covering all the key events online and on air, but if you’re planning to join in the fun, here is a guide to what’s happening.

And if you are out and about celebrating, send us your photos and videos.

Infographic: The queen in numbers

June 5 2012: 0630 (ET), 1030 (CET) Service of Thanksgiving and Carriage Procession

The final day of this spectacular royal weekend commences with a National Service of Thanksgiving in St Paul’s Cathedral. A prayer has been written specially for the event, which will be attended by the queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the royal family.

Later, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry will join the queen and Prince Philip for a Diamond Jubilee lunch provided at Westminster Hall.

Following their meal, a carriage procession (from 1020 [ET], 1420 [CET]) will convey the royal party to Buckingham palace. Their route will take them from Whitehall, past Trafalgar Square, through Admiralty Arch and straight on to the official London residence of the British sovereign

iReport: Have you met a royal? Share your images with CNN

Following their meal, a carriage procession will convey the royal party to Buckingham palace. Their route will take them from Whitehall past Trafalgar Square, through Admiralty Arch and straight on to the official London residence of the British sovereign.

Upon return to the palace, there will be a 60-gun salute from the King’s Troop followed by the Royal Family’s appearance on the balcony at approximately 1125 (ET)/1525 (CET) where they will watch a feu de Joie (a rifle salute by The Queen’s Guard) and a Royal Air Force flypast.

Read more: The young queen who grew into a modern monarch

Key players

This year we have already seen the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams deliver the “Motion for an Humble Address on the occasion of Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee” in the House of Lords.

During the central Diamond Jubilee weekend itself we will see most of the royal family in attendance as well as political heads like British Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. It is also likely we will see familiar faces such as former Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Interactive: The Windsor family tree

Getting around the city

Travel around London is expected to be difficult and use of public transport is advised as many roads and bridges will be closed due to ongoing special events. Transport for London (TFL) has suggested avoiding travel through the city center if you are not attending an event, particularly on June 3. They also advise buying travel tickets in advance to avoid long waits in lines. For more information on traveling to specific events, check the TFL website.

What’s next

During the Diamond Jubilee year, the queen has embarked on a tour of the United Kingdom traveling as widely as possible. With the help of other members of the royal family including Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Duchess of Cambridge, Kate and Princess Beatrice. After the celebrations of in June, the queen will continue on her tour visiting a variety of stops in Britain and Scotland.

The queen has also asked her family to represent her on trips abroad. We’ve already seen Prince Harry journey to The Bahamas, Belize and Jamaica where he “beat” the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt. Additionally, the Princess Royal recently returned from South Africa and Mozambique.

Other members of the royal family to undertake trips to Commonwealth countries, Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories will include Prince Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall; Prince William and his wife Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge; Prince Andrew, the Duke of York; The Earl and Countess of Wessex; the Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.