There will be some events in May 2012, but the main celebrations will start in June, as the Queen's coronation was on 2 June 1953. There is going to be a special one-off bank holiday on 5 June this year to commemorate the event, and the usual spring bank holiday has been moved from the end of May to Monday 4 June, so that everyone gets a 4-day break similar to the Easter break.

In May there will be a pageant, a parade and other events at or near Windsor Castle. On 2 June the Queen will go to the Epsom Derby for the Coronation anniversary itself, and on the following day is the 'big lunch'. This is a local entertainment, organised all over the UK by different councils and charities - it could be a street party, a picnic or whatever people prefer. You can contact your own local council for details.

After this the Queen starts on a tour all around the UK - you can find more exact details here.