Where to celebrate King Charles III’s Coronation in London
Find out what events are on in the capital to celebrate Charles III’s ascent to the throne and where to watch the King’s Procession.
This May, the world will see scenes on the streets of London not seen for two generations – the coronation of a new monarch. King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury at a ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May 2023.
Tens of thousands of Brits and visitors are expected to take to the streets of Westminster to watch The King’s Procession (see the map below). Starting at Buckingham Palace for the big event at Westminster Abbey at 11am, before the Royal Family will return to the Palace for the famous balcony appearance.
If you’re not inclined to stand for hours to watch the procession, there’s plenty of other ways to mark the King’s coronation with a host of events and celebrations on around London over the long weekend. On Sunday 7 May will be the ‘Big Lunch‘, where communities across the country will be holding events big and small to mark the occasion. Your local pub or bar will also be granted an extension to their licensed opening hours by two hours over the weekend so you can sink a pint (or four) later than usual! Meanwhile, Oxford Street has launched a special A-Z of Oxford Street Royalty – a map of special events and promotions on in the area to celebrate.
To celebrate our new king, Brits will be given a bonus Bank Holiday on Monday 8 May 2023, bringing the total Bank Holidays in May to a whopping three, so lots of four day working weeks for many of us that month – yay!
Where can I watch the King and Queen’s Coronation?
For those who want to watch the two processions – to and from Westminster Abbey – you’ll probably need to get to the procession route side-lines early, most likely the day before, for a good spot. The King and Queen Consort’s first journey from Buckingham Palace to the Abbey will be in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach and will be relatively quick in time for the 11am ceremony commencement. Following the ceremony, the slower King’s Procession will start at 2pm to return to Buckingham Palace, where King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be joined by working members of the Royal Family on the balcony to watch the RAF flypast, at approx 2.45pm.
If you can’t get a good viewing spot, there will be big screens erected in nearby Hyde Park, Green Park, St James’s Park and on Horse Guards Parade. There will also be pop-up food and drink stalls in Green Park and St James’s Park so people camping out are catered for. Meanwhile, the Coronation concert on Sunday 7 May will be broadcast live from Windsor on the big screens by the Serpentine in Hyde Park.
The King’s Procession will go down The Mall
Alternative Coronation celebrations around London
- 3 – 4 May 2023 : BIG Picnic @ Fleet Street Quarter
The Fleet Street Quarter is playing homage to the new King’s love of horticulture with a floral-theme outdoor picnic. Including ‘Picnic Promotions’ at select lunch vendors and floral art projects. Visitors can take home wildflower seeds to plant. 12pm-4pm. Free. Carter Lane, Bream’s Buildings and Gough Square, City of London, EC4V. Nearest stations: Blackfriars, St Paul’s and City Thameslink. For more information, visit the Fleet Street Quarter website.
- 4 May 2023 : King’s Coronation Garden Party
Kick-start the Coronation celebrations early with an evening of entertainment, outdoor games, bubbly drinks and more. 5.30pm-8.30pm. Free. Merchant Square, Paddington, W2 1JZ. Nearest station: Paddington or Edgware Road. For more information, visit the Merchant Square website.
- 5 May 2023 : The Pearlies @ Leadenhall Market
From the King of Great Britain to the Pearly King and Queens of the East End. Meet a Pearly King and a Pearly Prince in the City’s historic Leadenhall Market, enjoy photo opportunities, free tea, coffee and cake; and watch traditional Pearly Cockney singalongs and music hall performances. 11am-4pm. Free. Leadenhall Market (access from Gracechurch Street, Lime Street and Whittington Avenue), City of London, EC3V 1LT. Nearest stations: Monument or Fenchurch Street. For more information, visit the Leadenhall Market website.
- 5 – 8 May 2023 : British Weekender Bottomless Pimm’s – Coronation Weekend @ Neverland
Celebrate with a day or evening of fabulous fun, food, live entertainment and cocktails at Fulham Beach. Rent a pergola or area with your friends. Open Fri 6pm-11.30pm, Sat-Mon 12pm-11.30pm. Tickets from £10/£16. Neverland London, 364 Wandsworth Bridge Road, Fulham, SW6 2TY. Nearest station: Wandsworth Town. For more information, visit the Neverland London website.
- 6 May 2023 : King’s Road Coronation Celebration @ King’s Road
A section of the King’s Road will be closed to road traffic, featuring an extended market, pop-up bar, picnic on the green outside the Saatchi Gallery, live music and entertainment and more. 11am-5.30pm. Free. King’s Road (between Sloane Square and Cheltenham Terrace), Chelsea, SW3. Nearest station: Sloane Square. For more information, visit the King’s Road website.
- 6 May 2023 : Wembley Park Coronation Celebration
A street party celebration comes to Wembley Park, featuring live music, kids’ entertainment and games, face-painting, street food, and a live screening of the action in Westminster. Open 10am-4pm. Free. Wembley Park, Wembley, HA9 0FD. Nearest stations: Wembley Park or Wembley Stadium. For more information, visit the Wembley Park website.
- 6 – 7 May 2023 : Mayfair’s Coronation Garden Party
Two days of events to celebrate the Coronation, including a live screening of the main event, food and drink stalls, live music, floral installations and more in a pop-up garden party. Times TBC. Free entry. Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, W1K. Nearest stations: Bond Street and Green Park. For more information, visit the Mayfair London website.
- 6 – 7 May 2023 : Coronation concerts @ The Royal Albert Hall
Back-to-back musical extravaganzas to mark the Coronation over two days will be taking place at the Royal Albert Hall. Starting with All Souls Orchestra presents The Coronation Prom, followed by Coronation Celebration! The Royal Choral Society’s 150th Anniversary Concert. Times: Coronation Prom 7.30pm on 6 May, 150th Anniversary concert at 2.30pm on 7 May. Tickets prices vary depending on concert. Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP. Nearest stations: South Kensington, Knightsbridge or High Street Kensington. For more information, visit the Royal Albert Hall website.
- 6 – 7 May 2023 : King’s Coronation Party @ Battersea Power Station
A weekend of festivities at the Power Station complex, including a live broadcast of the Coronation and Procession on a big screen, live music from tribute acts, puppet show, workshops, balloon artists, face-painting, special Coronation promotions at restaurants and retailers, food trucks and more. 11am-8pm. Free entry. Battersea Power Station, Circus Road West, Battersea, SW8 5BN. Nearest stations: Battersea Power Station, Battersea Park or Queenstown Road Battersea. For more information, visit the Battersea Power Station website.
- 6 – 7 May 2023 : Coronation screenings @ St James Market
Watch the Coronation events on the big screen in St James’s Market, nearby a host of shops and restaurants which are doing special royal promotions. Screenings are free. St James’s Market (off Regent Street), St James, SW1Y 4AH. Nearest station: Piccadilly Circus or Green Park. For more information, visit the St James London website.
A RAF flypast is expected at 2.30pm on 6 May
- 6 – 8 May 2023 : Royal Bank Holiday Weekend @ Museum of Brands
A variety of events to celebrate the King’s Coronation alongside regular museum entry, including create-your-own-scrapbook workshop and object handling sessions with objects from her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II‘s Coronation and Silver Jubilee. Museum open (event times vary): Sat 10am-6pm, Sun and Mon 11am-5pm. Tickets: Adults £9, Children 7-16yrs £5. Museum of Brands, 111-117 Lancaster Rd, Notting Hill, W11 1QT. Nearest station: Ladbroke Grove. For more information, visit the Museum of Brands website.
- 6 – 8 May 2023 : The King’s Coronation in Covent Garden
The capital’s iconic Covent Garden will be hosting various royal-themed experiences over the long weekend, including a pop-up, the Crown Jewels Garden, which will host a live screening of the Coronation on 6 May. Times vary. Free entry. Covent Garden Piazza, Covent Garden, WC2H. Nearest stations: Covent Garden or Embankment. For more information, visit the Covent Garden website.
- 7 May 2023 : Evensong in celebration for the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III
A religious and musical celebration of the King’s Coronation, featuring prayers, bible readings and music by the Choir of Southwark Cathedral. 3pm-4.30pm. Free. Southwark Cathedral, SE1 9DA. Nearest station: London Bridge. For tickets, visit Eventbrite.
Map of the King’s Procession route
Posted on 15 Apr 2023, in Entertainment, London and tagged Bank Holiday, London, royal, Things to do in London, What's On Guide. Bookmark the permalink. Comments Off on Where to celebrate King Charles III’s Coronation in London.
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