Coronation Events: how to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III across the UK

The Coronation of King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort will take place at Westminster Abbey on the morning of Saturday 6 May and the UK will have three days of festivities. This is something we’ve become very good at – from the recent platty jubes, to the more sombre statey funes, we have royal celebrations down to a T. If you’re interested in the history of coronations across Europe, I found this great blog and a post on Queen Victoria’s coronation.

the official celebrations

Saturday 6 May

The ceremony, reported to reflect his reforming agenda to reshape the future of the monarchy, will be officiated by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury (the most senior cleric in the Church of England).

Around 3,000 dignitaries will be invited to the coronation service, compared to the 8,000 guests who came to the Queen’s coronation more than 70 years ago. The royal couple will travel from the Palace to Westminster Abbey in a 260-year-old gold carriage and hundreds of thousands of people are expected to line London’s streets for the procession.

Sunday 7 May

The Coronation Big Lunch is spearheaded by the Eden Project and is part of their majesties belief the coronation should be an opportunity for people in the UK to spend time and celebrate with families and communities. The official meal will be a very British Quiche.

The Coronation Concert will be staged and broadcast live at Windsor
Castle by the BBC and BBC Studios. Alongside established musical
celebrities, the Concert will feature the Coronation Choir, created from
community and amateur singers from across the United Kingdom including refugees, NHS workers, LGBTQ+ groups and deaf signing choirs.

Monday 8 May

The Big Help Out is designed to help people in the UK give something back to their communities. It is part of the royal couple’s vision for a reformed monarchy in the UK.

How to celebrate

Across the UK towns and communities will be coming together to crack out an obscene amount of Union Jack bunting and finding new ways to pay homage to the King and Queen.

Visiting Central London

Royal fans will line the streets of London to get a glimpse of the procession. This isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s likely people will start camping out, complete with Union Jack hats, from the Thursday evening. If you’re planning to brave it, go early on Saturday morning and take snacks! Check the Transport for London guidance before you travel too, however no strikes or closures are planned at the moment and remember my guide to the tube if you’re a new user.

The shops on Oxford Street will be hosting brunches, concerts and offers to help everyone get into the spirit.

Carnaby Street and Covent Garden are guaranteed to put on a great display of union jacks and the best of British food and entertainment!

Battersea Power Station which is just outside central London has a host of events planned over the Saturday and Sunday including a watch party, the ability to explore the newly refurbished Power Station. At the moment, this is winning my competition for what to do.

Watch the coronation on a big screen

The weather is never something to deter Brits, which is why many will be taking a chance on watching the ceremony on a big screen. Below are just a few places you can find this:

Enjoy a royal-themed afternoon tea

Hotels across the UK will be delighted to help you raise a glass to the new King and Queen.

The Eden Hotel Group is taking this really seriously, its Arden Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon is already running its Coronation Afternoon Tea and the Greenway Hotel and Spa in Cheltenham is hosting an Afternoon Tea Party on May 8.

Celebrate with Kings & Queens – The Royal Coronation Cabaret Show

Celebrate the Royal Coronation in true style with a ‘Kings and Queens’ themed cabaret show at The London Cabaret Club.

Taking place on the 5th and 6th of May 2023 only, you and your guests will enjoy a night of regal celebration in honour of King Charles’s coronation. This immersive cabaret experience is steeped in history and will feature majestic, live performances that are filled with elegance and extravagance.

Indulge in a thrilling journey through the ages, as celebrate the most notable sovereigns of the British monarchy including Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria, King George V and Queen Elizabeth II, culminating in King Charles III.

Find a giant community feast

The Kings Road in Chelsea will be leading the way with a Giant Feasting Table near the Saachi Gallery to help people celebrate in style as part of a weekend of food-led festivities.

The Hampshire town of Romsey will be hosting a giant street party organised by the Carnival Committee, who are seasoned at celebrating the Royal Family. Little Lakes Holiday Park is also hosting a giant picnic, you can get tickets from this Facebook page.

Celebrate like a King

Ok, so this one might not be the most attainable, but some cities in the UK are hosting a ball to celebrate the coronation. The York Coronation Ball is still taking applicants for the waiting list.

Alternatively, before 30th April buyagift.co.uk is giving those with 603 royal and noble names the opportunity to win a trip of a lifetime to the King Charles Room at Rubens at the Palace Hotel, and celebrate the coronation like a monarch. Sadly Roisin is not a noble name, however I am seeing if family might enter on my behalf!

Get crafty in your local area

From bunting making to mask painting, craft will play a key role in the coronation. These activities are all over – from John Lewis stores hosting bunting-making classes (check local stores) to St Albans Museum hosting a ‘make your own crown’ session to Coronation Plate Decorating in Derby.

Find the slightly bizarre

As with all major events in the UK, there are events that simply make no sense. For example in Hereford, you will find a Blitz-themed celebration night complete with burgers for dinner and motown music and in Staffordshire if you have a baby on the day of the coronation, you can apply for a commemorative mug and in Loughborough you can take a 2.5 hour celebratory boat trip and in Kingston-upon-Thames you can join a Junk Band Workshop.