The Coronation of King Charles III
The coronation of King Charles III is being marked with a three-day holiday. Here’s how you can join in the fun.
Hackney is set to have a real royal knees up as residents gear themselves up to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
An extended bank holiday from 6 to 8 May will give local communities the opportunity to host street parties, get together for estate-based Big Lunches and celebrate like pearly kings and queens at Hoxton Street Market.
Street and Estate Parties
Over the course of the bank holiday, eight Hackney streets are set to be closed and turned into a sea of red white and blue as residents get out their bunting and share food with their neighbours.
Big Coronation Lunches
More than 18 Big Coronation Lunch events on estates are being supported by the Council after it received 51 applications for up to £750 funding. A further 13 Coronation Big Lunches will take place outside of the coronation weekend, between 13 May and the end of June. The events, which will all be inclusive and accessible, will include barbecues, picnics and celebratory sit-down meals. At all events residents are being encouraged to bring a dish to share if they can.
The Big Lunch on Trowbridge Estate. Photo credit: Gary Manhine
Celebrating the Platinum Jubilee in Wenlock Barn Estate. Photo credit: Gary Manhine
Celebrating the Platinum Jubilee in Shepherd Market. Photo credit: Gary Manhine
Celebrate The King’s Coronation in Hackney
Hoxton Street Market Celebration
Saturday 6 May, 11am-2pm
Colourful coronation celebrations are set to take place at Hoxton Street Market and Hoxton Gardens on 6 May. Activities will be suitable for all ages and will include roaming performances by Grand Union Orchestra; a crown making workshop with felt and recycled embellishments; a comic/zine-making workshop by Ministry of Stories; DJ workshops; and roaming circus performances by artists from nearby Hoxton Hall.
Hackney Town Hall Coronation Concert & Speaker’s Art Competition
Monday 8 May, 3pm-4.30pm
The East London School of Music (ELSOM) will be hosting a free concert in the Hackney Town Hall assembly rooms, with the ELSOM Youth Orchestra, Hampstead Adventist Choral Society Philharmonic Orchestra and soloists also playing. Some 150 tickets will be given to members of the public and invited guests – including winners of the Speaker’s art competition. The Speaker has invited children and young people to enter a King’s coronation art competition, which closes on 4 May. To enter the art competition, or to request tickets for the concert, email: speaker@hackney.gov.uk
Hackney’s Libraries
Coronation-themed craft activities will be available at all libraries. Hackney Central Library will also be hosting a tea party on 6 May, with a screen showing the coronation.
St John-at-Hackney
St John-at-Hackney Church is holding a community garden party on 7 May, from 1-5pm, in the walled garden in the Church Gardens. The bellringers will also be ringing a special peal on 6 May to mark the coronation.
The King’s Coronation: National celebrations
Saturday 6 May
The coronation service
The King and Queen will arrive and depart Westminster Abbey in procession from and to Buckingham Palace. The day’s ceremonial events will conclude with an appearance on the palace balcony.
Big Lunches
Communities across the country are being encouraged to hold street parties on this day.
Sunday 7 May
The coronation concert at Windsor Castle
The concert, which takesplace from 7-10pm, will be broadcast live by the BBC. Performers will include Take That, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. During the concert, iconic locations across the UK will be lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations.
Monday 8 May
The Big Help Out
The palace is encouraging people to try volunteering and support their local area, through an initiative organised by the Together Coalition and a wide range of partners such as The Scouts, the Royal Voluntary Service and faith groups.