Where to celebrate the coronation weekend: 6 - 8 May 2023
From afternoon teas to royal exhibitions and events to bring your neighbourhood together, here's how to spend the coronation of King Charles III
Where to celebrate the coronation weekend 2023
As has been tradition in the UK since 1066, his Majesty King Charles III will officially be crowned at Westminster Abbey. The Archbishop of Canterbury will do the honours in a ceremony on Saturday 6 May, which will also see Camilla trade in the title of Queen Consort for Queen. For royalists, it promises to be a momentous occasion – one to be watched on TV or even by the roadside, finding a spot between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey to wave a Union Jack flag at the passing procession.
London is set to remain in a celebratory mood for the entire weekend, which includes an additional bank holiday on Monday 8 May. While you're likely to find themed specials – from cocktails to cupcakes – whichever way you look, here are some highlight events running over the coronation weekend.
Cheer on the procession
When: Saturday 6 May
Where: Between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey
Play your part in this historic anointing of a British monarch by watching the procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in person. Once the King and Queen have been crowned, they’ll be heading back to Buckingham Palace, so head on over for a glimpse of their waving-on-the-balcony moment.
Watch the Coronation on screen
When: Saturday 6 May
Where: Hyde Park, Green Park and St James's Park
Giant screens are being set up in three central London parks, with Hyde Park boasting four screens (5am - midnight), and both Green Park (24 hours) and St James's Park (5am - midnight) getting a screen each. The screens will broadcast both the procession and ceremony itself.
Attend the Coronation concert
When: Sunday 7 May
Where: Windsor Castle
On Sunday 7, a special coronation concert is being staged at Windsor Castle, and 10,000 lucky ballot winners will be there to watch it in person. While the line-up is yet to be confirmed, among those rumoured to be performing are Lionel Richie, Sir Paul McCartney, Gary Barlow, Olly Murs, Kylie Minogue and Elton John. Alongside the stars, a special Coronation Choir featuring members of community singing groups including Refugee choirs, NHS choirs and LGBTQ+ singing groups will be performing alongside The Virtual Choir, made up of singers from across the Commonwealth. The ballot has now closed, but if you didn't bag a pair of tickets, you can watch the coverage across the BBC network.
The Big Lunch
When: Saturday 6 – Monday 8 May
Where: Across the UK
Running across the UK, the Coronation Big Lunch is an idea that stemmed from the team behind Cornwall’s Eden Project. It encourages neighbours and communities to share a meal together, be it a cup of tea and a scone or a full-blown lunch. Big Lunch events are taking place in streets, parks and community centres – find your nearest here.
The Big Help Out
When: Monday 8 May
After the Big Lunch comes the Big Help Out. On Monday 8 May, The Together Coalition is encouraging the community to get involved with a national day of volunteering in a nod to King Charles's life-long dedication to public service. You can get involved wherever you live, joining in community projects like gardening or helping out at a food bank, or you could register your own event via the website.
MUSEUMS AND LANDMARKS MARKING THE CORONATION
Coronation weekend at Tower Bridge
Coronations & Celebrations exhibition at the Fan Museum
Coronation Celebrations at the Old Royal Naval College
ROYALLY MEMORABLE AFTERNOON TEAS
Coronation afternoon tea at The Goring
Coronation afternoon tea at Harvey Nichols
Coronation afternoon tea at The Goring
Coronation afternoon tea at Biscuiteers
Coronation afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason
Royal afternoon tea at the Old Royal Naval College
London is set to remain in a celebratory mood for the entire weekend, which includes an additional bank holiday on Monday 8 May. While you're likely to find themed specials – from cocktails to cupcakes – whichever way you look, here are some highlight events running over the coronation weekend.
Cheer on the procession
When: Saturday 6 May
Where: Between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey
Play your part in this historic anointing of a British monarch by watching the procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in person. Once the King and Queen have been crowned, they’ll be heading back to Buckingham Palace, so head on over for a glimpse of their waving-on-the-balcony moment.
Watch the Coronation on screen
When: Saturday 6 May
Where: Hyde Park, Green Park and St James's Park
Giant screens are being set up in three central London parks, with Hyde Park boasting four screens (5am - midnight), and both Green Park (24 hours) and St James's Park (5am - midnight) getting a screen each. The screens will broadcast both the procession and ceremony itself.
Attend the Coronation concert
When: Sunday 7 May
Where: Windsor Castle
On Sunday 7, a special coronation concert is being staged at Windsor Castle, and 10,000 lucky ballot winners will be there to watch it in person. While the line-up is yet to be confirmed, among those rumoured to be performing are Lionel Richie, Sir Paul McCartney, Gary Barlow, Olly Murs, Kylie Minogue and Elton John. Alongside the stars, a special Coronation Choir featuring members of community singing groups including Refugee choirs, NHS choirs and LGBTQ+ singing groups will be performing alongside The Virtual Choir, made up of singers from across the Commonwealth. The ballot has now closed, but if you didn't bag a pair of tickets, you can watch the coverage across the BBC network.
The Big Lunch
When: Saturday 6 – Monday 8 May
Where: Across the UK
Running across the UK, the Coronation Big Lunch is an idea that stemmed from the team behind Cornwall’s Eden Project. It encourages neighbours and communities to share a meal together, be it a cup of tea and a scone or a full-blown lunch. Big Lunch events are taking place in streets, parks and community centres – find your nearest here.
The Big Help Out
When: Monday 8 May
After the Big Lunch comes the Big Help Out. On Monday 8 May, The Together Coalition is encouraging the community to get involved with a national day of volunteering in a nod to King Charles's life-long dedication to public service. You can get involved wherever you live, joining in community projects like gardening or helping out at a food bank, or you could register your own event via the website.
MUSEUMS AND LANDMARKS MARKING THE CORONATION
Coronation weekend at Tower Bridge
Coronations & Celebrations exhibition at the Fan Museum
Coronation Celebrations at the Old Royal Naval College
ROYALLY MEMORABLE AFTERNOON TEAS
Coronation afternoon tea at The Goring
Coronation afternoon tea at Harvey Nichols
Coronation afternoon tea at The Goring
Coronation afternoon tea at Biscuiteers
Coronation afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason
Royal afternoon tea at the Old Royal Naval College
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