Here's what's happening in 2022
From the Winter Olympics to the Queen's Platinum Jubilee
Last updated 27th May 2022
As we say goodbye to 2021 and welcome the new year, it's time to get excited for what 2022 has to offer.
From the Winter Olympics to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, 2022 is set to be a full-on year with some major sports and cultural events that you don't want to miss out on.
Big things happening in 2022:
February: Winter Olympics
From 4 February - 20 February, China welcomed the world as it hosted the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. It featured seven new events including Women's Monobob, Men's and Women's Big Air (Freestyle Skiing). Great Britain struggled initially, but was able to take one gold and one silver from the competition. However, the games were hit with diplomatic boycotts from countries including the US, Australia, and Britain over concerns about Beijing's human rights record. Their athletes still participated at the event.
April: Extinction Rebellion 'biggest ever' protest
Extinction Rebellion are set to get 2 million people to take part in the 'largest act of civil resistance in UK history'. Its in response to the 'failure' of COP26 that took place in November 2021. XR protesters have claimed that 'it is clearer than ever now that it's up to all of us.'
June: The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
The Queen's Platinum Jubilee is Saturday 4 June. Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee (70 years of service), having acceded to the throne in 1952. A four-day Bank Holiday weekend is to take place to celebrate the major event.
June: An extra bank holiday
Britons will be treated to an extra day off work in 2022, as the nation will come together in a 'blockbuster' four-day Bank Holiday weekend to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. The extra holiday includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
June: Glastonbury 2022
Glastonbury 2022 is between 22-26 June, with Billie Elish confirmed to headline at the festival. It will be 25th anniversary of the sell-out festival after being called off in 2020 and 2021. Though, tickets have unfortunately already sold out because tickets have been rolled over for a second year.
July: The Commonwealth Games 2022
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is set to take place 28 Jul – 8 Aug, with 72 nations taking part. The West Midlands city is also on track to sell record 1.5 million tickets for Commonwealth Games. The official mascot for the games is Perry, the bull, becoming the first at any multi-sport event to be brought to life through augmented reality.
August: Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2022
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival that will be taking place between 5 - 29 August 2022 will celebrate its 75th anniversary! The Fringe is the world's largest arts festival, with almost 4,000 shows taking part every year.
October: The London Marathon
The 2022 London Marathon will again take place in October but organisers are hopeful of returning the event to its usual April slot in 2023. A record of 80,000 runners took place in 2021 to complete the 26.2 miles in their own way. The event director Hugh Brasher has called the marathon an "extraordinary and unique celebration".
November: Qatar World Cup 2022
The 2022 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place in Qatar from 21 November to 18 December 2022. The England team have already qualified, though Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland haven't. In total, 32 nations will compete, with the first match set to take place at the Al Bayt stadium in Al Khor 21 November 2022.
Read now
News in review: What happened in 2021?
How to listen
Hear the latest news on Downtown on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.