An additional bank holiday has been announced in honour of the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. The bank holiday will fall on Monday 8 May, following the Coronation on Saturday 6 May.Jump to a section of our Coronation Guide below:
We have also put together a special blog post where you can find all the events and activities happening in your local BCP Library.
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National Coronation Events
Saturday 6 May 2023 – the Coronation Ceremony
The Coronation Ceremony will take place on the morning of Saturday 6 May at Westminster Abbey, London, and will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Ceremony will see His Majesty King Charles III crowned alongside The Queen Consort.
Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort will arrive at Westminster Abbey in procession from Buckingham Palace, known as ‘The King’s Procession’.
After the Service, they will return to Buckingham Palace in a larger ceremonial procession and will be joined in this procession by other Members of the Royal Family. They will appear on the balcony to conclude the day’s ceremonial events.
Sunday 7 May 2023 – the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle
A special Coronation Concert will take place at Windsor Castle. Produced, staged and broadcast live by the BBC and BBC Studios, the Coronation Concert will bring global music icons and contemporary stars together in celebration of the historic occasion.
Through a national ballot held by the BBC, several thousand members of the public will be selected to receive a pair of free tickets for the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle.
The centrepiece of the Coronation Concert, ‘Lighting up the Nation’, will see the country join together in celebration as iconic locations across the United Kingdom are lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations.
Sunday 7 May 2023 – the Coronation Big Lunch
Neighbours and communities across the country are invited to share food and fun together at Coronation Big Lunches in an act of celebration and friendship. From a cup of tea with a neighbour to a street party, a Coronation Big Lunch brings the celebrations to your neighbourhood.
The Coronation Big Lunch will be overseen and organised by the Big Lunch team at the Eden Project. The Big Lunch is an idea from the Eden Project, made possible by The National Lottery, that brings millions of people together annually to boost community spirit, reduce loneliness and support charities and good causes.
Across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, we’ve got an amazing 177 street parties taking place. These require the roads to be closed, so if you’re planning to travel over the weekend, make sure you plan your route ahead of time. You can see the list of road closures here and a map of the road closures.
Monday 8th May 2023 – the Big Help Out
Organised by The Together Coalition and a wide range of partners such as The Scouts, the Royal Voluntary Service and faith groups from across the United Kingdom. The Big Help Out will highlight the positive impact volunteering has on communities across the nation.
The Big Help Out will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas. The aim of The Big Help Out is to use volunteering to bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from the Coronation Weekend.
Coronation Events & Activities in BCP
There are lots of family-friendly events and activities happening over the Bank Holiday Weekend to help you celebrate the King’s Coronation in and around BCP. Find all the details below! We are adding new events as they are announced so be sure to check back regularly!
King Charles III Coronation Week at Wimborne Model Town
Celebrate the crowning of our new King with our Coronation Quiz.
📅 1.-7. May Daily from 10am-5pm
🎟 All Tickets are valid for 12 month.
King’s Coronation Colouring Competition at Oceanarium Bournemouth
Calling all Kids who love to colour. Join in with our King Charles themed colouring competition and be in for a chance to win a FREE visit to the Ocenarium.
📅 5.-8. May
🎟 Normal admission prices
Coronation Flower Trail at Upton Country Park
Celebrate this historic occasion and search the Country Park for the favourite flowers of our new King and Queen Consort.
📅 29. April – 8. May Daily from 10am-4pm
🎟 Free Trail – Pick up your copy in the Welcome Centre.
Coronation Picnic at Upton Country Park
Gather for this historic occasion in the Walled Garden and listen to the celebratory sounds of the Swing Unlimited Community Big Band. Families can create their own coronation flag or crown at the craft gazebo to get into the spirt of the Royal event.
📅 Monday 9. May from 11am-4pm (Big Band playing 3 sets starting from 11.30am)
🎟 Craft Activities (Flags & Crowns) £3.
Coronation Weekend at Corfe Castle
📅 Saturday 6. May – Large screen live viewing of the King’s Coronation at Corfe Castle Village Hall.
📅 Sunday 7. May – Big Lunch event in the grounds of the castle.
📅 BH Monday 8. May – Free day for people in the village to organise their own street party or other celebrations.
King’s Coronation Celebrations at the Tank Museum
Watch the Coronation ceremony on the big screen (Saturday) and enjoy themed activities like Make your own crown with Coronation crafts and colouring, and dress up as a King or Queen in our dressing-up station. Vehicle Rides on Monday. Kids can let off steam in the soft play.
📅 6. – 8. May from 10am-5pm
🎟 Normal admission prices apply.
King’s Coronation at Farmer Palmers
Indulge in afternoon teas, cream teas and sandwiches – dressing up encouraged.
Sunday 7. May – Jamie Jambo – x2 Sessions (Morning & Afternoon)
Monday 8. May – Professor JR’s Punch & Judy – 10.45am, 12.45pm, and 2.45pm
📅 6. – 8. May
🎟 Shows are included in the normal admission price please head to Farmer Palmers website to book tickets.
King’s Coronation Celebration Weekend at Tuckton Tea Gardens
We have a great weekend lined up to celebrate King Charles III Coronation including:
Big screen in the garden
BBQ all weekend
Bodega pop-up bar
Craft stalls
Bouncy Castle
Scarlette Swing Band
📅 6. – 8. May
🎟 Everyone welcome!
Coronation Celebrations at Highcliffe Castle
Highcliffe Castle is getting in the celebratory spirit over this long weekend, with a third off admission prices on Sunday and Monday. There’s also a King and Queen Family Trail running, Crown Making and if you’re called Charles or Charlie, you can even get free entry!
On Monday 8 May, come down and meet their brilliant volunteer team and go behind the scenes to find out more about their roles at the Castle as part of The Big Help Out. Book onto a slot here.
📅 Sunday 7. – Monday 8. May
🎟 1/3 off Admission prices – FREE Entry for any Charles or Charlie.
Coronation Fun Fair at Poole Baiter Park
📅 Friday 28. April till 8. May (closed 2., 3. & 4. May) Fridays 4-9pm Sat/Sun/BH Monday’s 12-9pm
Verwood Red White & Blue 2 Room King’s Coronation Ball at The Verwood Hub
Dance Yourself Dizzy will be celebrating with a Red, White & Blue King’s Coronation Ball with two dance floors playing Modern Jive & Modern Blues tunes.
📅 Saturday 6. May from 8pm-11.30pm (10pm cake)
🎟 Tickets are £12 via the Dance yourself Dizzy website or on the door (if some left).
Big Screens in Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole
The big screens are showing the live events from 10am onwards (Service starts at 11am) until around 2pm. Bring chairs and blankets & a picnic and enjoy a Coronation picnic as you watch the new King and Queen being crowned.
Bournemouth Lower Gardens Entertainment with Steamship Circus & Live Music
They will be providing walkabout entertainment plus there will also be live music through the afternoon to entertain all ages.
📅 Saturday 6. May from 11am-5pm
🎟 Free Entertainment – Everyone welcome.
Coronation Party + Family BBQ in Queen’s Park
Join us for a Family BBQ with Kids Coronation Activity Trail, Music in the Park, Kids Crown Making, Woodpecker Nest Pimm’s Bar & Pub Garden.
📅 Sunday 7. May, starts 12noon
🎟 Kids activities Free – Everyone welcome!
Royal Knees up at Fisherman’s Walk in Southbourne
Courtesy of the Friends of Fisherman’s Walk – Enjoy live music, face painting, refreshments and cream teas as part of the Coronation Big Lunch – or you can just bring your own picnic and relax into the afternoon with family and friends! There’s even a King and Queen competition, so dust off your crowns and join in the fun!
📅 Sunday 7. May from 12noon
🎟 Free Event
Christchurch at the Quomps
Christchurch Town Council has teamed up with Christchurch Priory, Christchurch BID and local schools to ensure the Coronation events are a fun, jolly affair for all! Bring your picnic blankets and some tasty treats and enjoy the Coronation Service screening,
The Coronation on the Quay
Join in as the party continues throughout the day with a fancy dress competition, live music from Audio All Stars and The Acoustics, and traditional Irish, Morris and Maypole dancing. There will also be food and drink stalls providing refreshments throughout the day, free face painters, and fairground rides for all ages to enjoy.
📅 Saturday 6. May from 11am-6pm
🎟 Free Entertainment – Everyone welcome.
Poole – Baiter Park Entertainment with Jamie Jigsaw & Live Music
Watch the Coronation Service on a big screen in Baiter Park, then join in the afternoon’s entertainment afterwards.
Jamie Jigsaw – balloon models, stilt walking and juggling from 11am-5pm – Live music from 2.20pm
📅 Saturday 6. May from 11am onwards
🎟 Everyone welcome!
Street Music Poole Coronation Special
Come and listen to some live music on Saturday and Sunday which has been organised by Poole BID. From 2.30 in both Falkland Square and outside Poole Museum on the Saturday and from 12pm on the Sunday outside Butler and Hops on the High Street and near Custom House and Da Vinci’s on Poole Quay, a variety of musicians will be delighting and entertaining you all! Full Schedule here.
📅 Saturday 6. May and Sunday 7. May from 12pm onwards
🎟 Free Live Music
Poole Coronation Window Display Competition
Don’t forget to vote for your favourite coronation themed window for the chance to win ⭐£100⭐.
Simply visit the town between 1st and 8th of May and click online to vote www.poolebid.com. There will also be a QR code in the window linking directly to the voting page. The voting winner will be announced on our social media Friday 12th May.
Local & Community Events in BCP for the Coronation
Find details for lots of local and community events being held in and around BCP to Celebrate the King’s Coronation!
Family Craft Workshop – Coronation Crown and Sceptre at the Dorset Scrapstore
Join us in making a very regal crown, ball and sceptre more info here.
📅 Saturday 29. April from 2.30pm-4pm
🎟 £5 includes all the material – please note for Dorset Scrapstore Members only.
The Orchards King’s Coronation Afternoon Picnic at The Orchard Nursery
We are having an afternoon picnic and games on the field to celebrate the King’s Coronation.
Parents can bring a blanket and an afternoon picnic tea to sit and enjoy with their child.
We will serve tea, coffee and scones with jam and cream. Children are welcome to dress up as kings, queens, princes and princesses.
📅 Wednesday 3. May from 4-5pm (weather dependent)
🎟 Donations welcome to help cover the costs.
Coronation Of King Charles | Giant Screen & Lunch at Christchurch Baptist Church
Join us to celebrate The Coronation of King Charles III we’ll be projecting the procession and service live onto our giant screen, then serving a lunch of cucumber sandwiches, scones & Battenberg cake. Tea and coffee will be available throughout the day. Please sign up to attend here.
📅 Saturday 6. May from 10am-2pm
🎟 Free event but donations welcome (on the day or online here)
Christchurch Coronation Light Display at Christchurch Priory
Projection mapped imagery and animation of King Charles will be displayed on the main Priory entrance to celebrate the coronation by Light Art Creatives.
📅 Saturday 6. May at 9pm
🎟 Free
King’s Coronation at Alderney Manor, Herbert Avenue – Poole
The coronation will be live on big screens from 11am and there will be Live music all day/evening, BBQ, Stalls, Tea/Coffee & Cakes, Giant Money Draw, Ice creams and Face Painting.
📅 Saturday 6. May from 11am
🎟 Open to non members
Coronation Community Fun Day with Henry Brown & Moore Avenue Park
Join us for a day to remember celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III with Free Circus Skills workshop, Egg & Spoon, Sack races, Fancy Dress Royal Parade to the Dolphin Marching Band.
Stalls, Bouncy Castle Slide, Live Music, Under 5s activities, Royal Story Time from West Howe Library, Live Bands , Street Dance Workshops, Tombola, BBQ, Sweets, Cake plus Live streaming of King Charles III Coronation and lots more!
Bring a picnic blanket or your camping chairs and join in with this jam packed fun day for the whole family.
📅 Saturday 6. May from 12pm-4pm
🎟 All activities are Free or low cost.
Coronation Bring and Share Lunch at Bournemouth Gateway Club
We are putting up the big screen projector to watch the procession and coronation, putting up the bunting, bringing cakes and nibbles and inviting you all to join us in watching this historic event. Please bring a plate to share if you can.
📅 Saturday 6. May from 11am until 2pm
🎟 Free Event
Kings Coronation at The Crown At Bournemouth
Join us for a right royal knees up and enjoy the atmosphere with family and friends.
📅 Saturday 6. May starting at 11am
🎟 Everyone welcome!
Coronation Garden Party at The Elm Tree, Ringwood, BH24 3DY.
Watch the ceremony live on the big screen – fish & chips, cream teas, live jazz all day.
📅 Saturday 6. May, starts 12noon
🎟 FREE viewing.
Coronation Party at Poole Centenary Hall & Club, BH15 2BU
Price for dress up, Cake Auction, Ploughman’s Luch and Music by David Marks.
📅 Saturday 6. May, from 1pm
🎟 Members free, Non Members £3 per person
Picnic in the Park to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III at Witchampton Sports Ground – Wimborne
All welcome! Bring a picnic/ blanket/ chair. Bring a cake to share for afternoon tea.
There will be Games and Quiz, Competition for the best crown – Adult and Child and Music from Phil King. Bar available.
📅 Sunday 7. May from 1pm onwards
🎟 Free Event (bring your own picnic)
Coronation Picnic on the Green outside Wimborne Minster
Join us for a Picnic between 1-2pm followed by a Coronation themed Messy Church ( craft session) and royal Corgi hunt in the Wimborne Minster between 2-3.30pm.
📅 Sunday 7. May from 1pm onwards
🎟 No charge but donations welcome (bring your own picnic)
Coronation Tea at Woodlands Village Hall – Wimborne
We are delighted to invite you to the celebration of King Charles’s Coronation don your crowns and wear red, blue and white. There will be cream tea, crafts, including crown making, Royal crown competition, Coronation cake competition (Kids & Adult Categories: 7inch cake or 6 small cupcakes – please list ingredients (drop off is at 11am). Bring along some food/drinks, picnic blanket and deck chairs.
📅 Sunday 7. May from 2-4pm
🎟 Free event but donations are welcome email: [email protected].
Ferndown’s King’s Coronation ‘Big Lunch’ Party at King George V Playing Fields.
Come along to our FREE Family Fun Day to celebrate the King’s Coronation with children entertainment by Krazy Kev, games, stalls, rides, bar, food, live music and more. Firework display at 10pm..
📅 Sunday 7. May from 12noon until 10.15pm
🎟 FREE Event
Royal Picnic in the Park at Verwood REC, BH31 7AA.
Stage, Music, Stalls, Games, Food, Concession, Fun Fair Rides for the little ones, Climbing wall and much more…!
📅 Sunday 7. May from 12-6pm
🎟 FREE Event
Wimborne King Charles III Coronation Celebration in the Square
A family day out – celebrate as a community. Children’s Entertainment with Little Gizmos, Live streaming of the coronation concert, Live music and entertainment plus a fair.
Tables provided for you to enjoy the big lunch.
📅 Sunday 7. May from 11am-7pm
🎟 FREE viewing
Big Community Picnic at Upton Recreation Ground
Lytchett Minster and Upton Town Council celebrates the coronation with a big community picnic including entertainment from Mr Merlin, Shows from Urban Displays, Face Painting, Kids Crafts, Bouncy Castles
Food & Drink Stalls, Ice cream plus Fire engine and tractor experience.
📅 Sunday 7. May from 12noon-4pm
🎟Everyone welcome!
King’s Coronation Fun Day at Hamworthy Liberal Club BH15 4AZ
Bouncy Castles, Arts & Crafts, Cakes & Sweets, Music and Refreshments at the bar.
📅 Monday 8. May from 1-6pm
🎟 £5 per child pre booked tickets only via Hamworthy Liberal Facebook Page.
Coronation Party at Slades Farm
Join us for a fun packed day with BBQ, Steel Pan Band, DJ, Assault Course and more!
📅 Monday 8. May from 11am-3pm
🎟 Everyone welcome!
Bank Holiday Coronation Celebration Party at The Old Thatch, Wimborne
With a Disco (with DJ Phil from Get Up and Groove) Games, Dancing and lots of fun for kids and adults. All Under Cover in the Garden Area.
📅 Monday 8. May from 11am-1pm
🎟 Everyone welcome!
Family Fun Day at Wimborne Rugby Club, BH21 2AP
With entertainment by Krazy Kev (11.30am), outdoor games, fish&chips, hot drinks&cakes, craft stall, competitions and animals.
📅 Monday 8. May from 10.30am-2.30pm
🎟 Everyone welcome!
The King’s Coronation Tea Party at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care BH15 2JD
Join us at the Hospice for a terrific tombola, bingo, patient crafts and delicious treats, fit for royalty. Maggie the Seaside Baker the Queen of cakes will also be popping by to say hi!
📅 Thursday 11. May from 2pm
🎟 Free Entry
FREE downloads for the Coronation
Here is a great range of useful templates and materials to help you with your Coronation celebrations, including homemade bunting ideas and kids’ activity sheets click on the images to see and download:
🇬🇧 Make your own royal bunting:
Emily from York Mumbler has also created some fantastic Coronation activities for the kids to do at home so you can celebrate and have lots of fun! From games like Royal I-Spy, a Garden Maze Challenge, your very own (unofficial!) Certification of Knighthood! plus Coronation themed Colouring pages and more. You can see and download all the Coronation activities here. Enjoy! 💜
