The Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch 2026

The 19th Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch will take place on Thursday the 16th of April 2026.

For seventeen years, the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch has been one of the City of London’s most distinctive philanthropic events. Hosted at Guildhall and attended by 1,650 leaders from across business, government and the Armed Forces, it brings together the City’s most influential figures for an informal lunch with a serious purpose: supporting military veterans into civilian employment.

In 2025 alone, the Lunch raised £434,000, taking total funds raised to over £4.2 million since its launch.

What makes it unique

Unlike traditional charity lunches, the Big Curry Lunch is deliberately informal.

No seating plan, no table hierarchy, guests serve themselves and mingle freely.

It is the only major City event where senior figures queue side by side.

Where the funds go

Proceeds support two national veteran initiatives:

Lifeworks – career coaching and employment support and King Edward VII Hospital – rehabilitation and pain management programmes

Why it matters

The Lunch channels the City’s influence into practical support for veterans rebuilding their lives after service.