Changing the Guard Confirmed Schedules - September and October 2026.

These are the confirmed dates for Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace, an iconic ceremony packed with pride, precision drill and stirring music that combine to march in perfect rhythm to create a never to be forgotten experience.

Provided directly by the British Army, the dates and times below are your definitive guide to the Changing of the Guard ceremonies at Buckingham Palace scheduled for September and October 2026.

Dates & Times

Don't leave it to chance as although the ceremony typically occurs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11:00, the schedules for Changing of the Guard, the Sunday Parade and Captain's Inspection are subject to change and can on occasions be cancelled, sometimes at short notice !

Band of the Scots Guards
The Band of the Scots Guards

On this page:

Confirmed dates and ceremony times for:

  • Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.
  • Sunday Parade and Captain's Inspection schedules.
  • Information on the Units and Bands participating.
  • Practical tips for your visit: include the best viewing locations to public transport advice.

NOTE: CHANGING THE GUARD IS FREE TO WATCH & NO TICKETS ARE REQUIRED

Where to Watch Changing the Guard

We are often asked where is the best spot to watch the Changing of the Guard, but as the ceremony spans three locations Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace and Wellington Barracks there is no single spot to watch the entire Guard Mount.

The Ceremony. The History. The Best Views.
Get a backstage pass to the Changing the Guard with Fun London Tours. Use code FUNGUARD10PC for an exclusive 10% discount on their award-winning Changing the Guard Walking Tour!

Changing the Guard Schedule September 2026

Confirmed dates, times and details of the Regiments and Bands scheduled for Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace in August and September 2026

  • Changing the Guard Ceremonies normally take place on Mondays, Wednesday and Friday at 11:00
    Always check the dates / times below as the schedule can vary when troops are required for operational or ceremonial duties or as a result of road closures

  • Captain's Inspections normally take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 15:00 with musical support.

  • Sunday Parade The Band, playing music, marches from Wellington Barracks to Buckingham Palace around 09:45
    The King's Guard is formed up in front of Buckingham Palace where their Regimental Colour is trooped while the Band plays a selection of music.
    Around 10:15 the Band leads the Guards and Colour down The Mall to St. James's Palace, where the Colour is Lodged in the Guard Room.
    Around 10:25 the Band and Guards then march back to Buckingham Palace arriving around 10:40.
    The Band, playing music, then marches back to barracks.

Units and Bands that have been changed since the schedule was first published are shown in red.

Thursday 8 October @ 15:00

Captain's Inspection :

Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards

Musical Support:

Band of the Grenadier Guards

Friday 9 October 11:00

Guard Change :

26 Engineer Regiment

Musical Support:

Band of the Grenadier Guards
Band of the Irish Guards

Saturday 10 October @ 15:00

Captain's Inspection :

26 Engineer Regiment

Musical Support:

Band of the Household Cavalry

Monday 12 October @ 11:00

Guard Change :

Number 9 Company Irish Guards

Musical Support:

Band of the Welsh Guards
Band of the Household Cavalry

Tuesday 13 October @ 15:00

Captain's Inspection :

Number 9 Company Irish Guards

Musical Support:

Band of the Welsh Guards

Wednesday 14 October @ 11:00

Guard Change :

F Company Scots Guards

Musical Support:

Band of the Welsh Guards
Band of the Scots Guards

Thursday 15 October @ 15:00

Captain's Inspection :

F Company Scots Guards

Musical Support:

Band of the Welsh Guards

Friday 16 October @ 11:00

Guard Change :

26 Engineer Regiment

Musical Support:

Band of the Welsh Guards
Band of the Household Cavalry

Saturday 17 October @ 15:00

Captain's Inspection :

26 Engineer Regiment

Musical Support:

Band of the Welsh Guards

Sunday 18 October @ 1000

Sunday Parade :

26 Engineer Regiment

Musical Support:


Monday 19 October @ 11:00

Guard Change :

1st Battalion Grenadier Guards

Musical Support:

Band of the Grenadier Guards
1st Bn. Scots Guards Pipes and Drums

Tuesday 20 October @ 15:00

Captain's Inspection :

1st Battalion Grenadier Guards

Musical Support:

Band of the Irish Guards

Wednesday 21 October @ 11:00

Guard Change :

Number 12 Company Irish Guards

Musical Support:

Band of the Grenadier Guards
1st Bn. Scots Guards Pipes and Drums

Thursday 22 October @ 15:00

Captain's Inspection :

Number 12 Company Irish Guards

Musical Support:

Band of the Scots Guards

Friday 23 October @ 11:00

Guard Change :

26 Engineer Regiment

Musical Support:

Band of the Grenadier Guards
1st Bn. Scots Guards Pipes and Drums

Saturday 24 October @ 15:00

Captain's Inspection :

26 Engineer Regiment

Musical Support:

Band of the Grenadier Guards

Sunday 25 October @ 1000

Sunday Parade :

26 Engineer Regiment

Musical Support:


Monday 26 October @ 11:00

Guard Change :

1st Battalion Grenadier Guards

Musical Support:

Band of the Irish Guards
1st Bn. Scots Guards Pipes and Drums

Tuesday 27 October @ 15:00

Captain's Inspection :

1st Battalion Grenadier Guards

Musical Support:

Band of the Grenadier Guards

Wednesday 28 October @ 11:00

Guard Change :

26 Engineer Regiment

Musical Support:

Band of the Coldstream Guards
1st Bn. Scots Guards Pipes and Drums

Thursday 29 October @ 15:00

Captain's Inspection :

26 Engineer Regiment

Musical Support:

Band of the Coldstream Guards

Friday 30 October @ 11:00

Guard Change :

Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards

Musical Support:

Band of the Grenadier Guards
Band of the Coldstream Guards

Saturday 31 October @ 15:00

Captain's Inspection :

Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards

Musical Support:

Band of the Irish Guards
Band of the Grenadier Guards

Changing the Guard Provisional Dates

The days the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is provisionally scheduled to take place are:

  • Changing the Guard: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
  • Captain's Inspection: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
  • Sunday Parade: Sundays

About the ceremonies

Always check the confirmed schedule.

Changing of the Guard Times

Free of watch the Changing of the Guard spans three locations, Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace and Wellington Barracks normal timings are:.

  • 10:43 Old Guard leaves St James's Palace
  • 10:57 New Guard leaves Wellington Barrack
  • 11:00 Official Start Time
  • 11:10 St James's Palace relief leaves Buckingham Palace
  • 11:25 Relieved sentries leave St James's Palace
  • 11:40 Old Guard leaves Buckingham Palace
  • 11:45 St James's Palace Guard leaves Buckingham Palace

Note: Always check the date you plan to visit.
Times can change and on occasions the Guard Mount without music or ceremony!

Visiting Changing The Guard

Where To Watch

Places to watch Changing the Guard
With maps and tips to help you see more

What You Will See

Complete guide to the Changing of the Guard ceremony

Visiting With Children

Suggestions to help younger visitors see the Guards and Bands without a long wait

FAQ

Answers to frequently asked questions about Changing the Guard

Getting Around London

The Visitor Oyster Card is the cheapest and most flexible way to travel around London.

Valid on London Underground, buses, trams and the Dockland Light Railway (DLR).

  • Accepted everywhere: Use on most London public transport, including Tube, buses, tram, DLR, Overground and National Rail services in London
  • Flexible and reusable: Choose the credit you need. Use it again on your next trip to London or pass it on to friends or family
  • Save Money: Save up to 50% on your travels including journeys to Central London from Heathrow, Gatwick and London City Airport with a Visitor Oyster card
  • Save Time: Your card is ready to use as soon you arrive in London. Simply touch in and go

London Day Travelcard gives you access to unlimited travel on London Underground trains, buses, Docklands Light Railway, trams and overland trains within London.

  • Cheap: with one ticket you get unlimited travel, [ within the zones your Travel card covers], working out much cheaper than buying single tickets
  • Easy: Enjoy unlimited travel on London's public transport, including Tube, buses, Overground and National Rail services
  • Groups: If you are traveling in London with a group of 10 or more people, you can buy a Group Day Travelcard.

Stay safe and hope we will see you soon!

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