The Coronation Ceremony for His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will take place on Saturday, May 6 at Westminster Abbey.
People across the country and the Commonwealth are invited to celebrate the Coronation over the weekend of 6 to 8 May.
Visit the Kings Coronation Official 2023 webpages(external link) for the latest information on events, details of how to get involved and useful resources.
The programme of events includes a procession and service, which will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Buckingham Palace says the service will ‘reflect the Monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry.’
On Sunday, May 7, a special Coronation Concert is to be staged and broadcast live at Windsor Castle by the BBC.
If you don’t fancy hosting your own celebration, there are events taking place across the borough to keep you entertained!
We are hosting two free, family friendly events:
The Big Coronation Lunch
- When? Sunday 7th May, 11am-4pm
- Where? Leigh Town Hall
Make the most of the bank holiday weekend and head to Leigh Town Hall to enjoy an afternoon of fun and feasting. There will be local talent, crafts, funfair rides and much more. Bring your own picnic (alcohol will not be permitted on site) or tuck into the traditional foodie treats on offer. Suitable for all ages.
The Mayor's Coronation Party in the Park
- When? Monday 8th May, 11am-4pm
- Where? Mesnes Park Wigan
Join The Mayor of Wigan Borough for our Coronation Party in the Park! Boasting a range of family entertainment, games, fun fair rides, food stalls and much more, it’s an opportunity to gather with your loved ones and celebrate a historical day in the lovely setting of Mesnes park.
For more information go to our Visit Wigan website or follow @visitwigan on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Get involved
Are you a performer, local trader, organisation or community group? If so, we would love to have you involved in our Coronation celebrations and future events through 2023. Please tell us a little bit more about you:
Coronation Big Lunches
- When? Sunday 7th May 2023
The Coronation Big Lunch (6-8 May) encourages neighbours and communities across the United Kingdom to share food and fun together on Sunday 7th May 2023, in a nationwide 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 and is a great way to get to know your community a little better. Be part of history by joining millions across the UK with a Coronation Big Lunch celebration in your community.
We encourage residents to come together to host events and activities organised with your families, communities, and friends over the bank holiday.
For help in getting started, the Coronation Eden Project Big Lunch Pack shares ideas, top tips, practical advice and lots more:
Street parties
If you would like to organise your own neighbourhood ‘Big Lunch’, you will need to apply:
Our Streetworks Team will be in touch to offer guidance on your street party and advise on any associated road closures.
The deadline for Coronation Street party applications is Friday 31st March 2023.
We have removed the requirement to have public liability insurance for street parties for this occasion. However, if you include bouncy castles, barbecues, or other activities that could pose a potential risk of injury to attendees, you may need to consider getting public liability insurance for your event.
Public land
If you’re planning to organise a coronation event in the borough, and it’s taking place on council land for example within a park or greenspace, then you must notify us of the event.
Private land
If your event is on private land, then we strongly recommend that you still notify us. There are things to consider when planning an event - we can help simplify the process and loop in the right people to ensure the day runs as safely as possible. Find out more and apply to host a coronation event online.
Live TV screening
If you are planning to watch or host a live TV screening at community event, you can benefit from a TV Licensing Dispensation.
The BBC can grant a dispensation of the TV Licence fee for the temporary viewing of television, so long as the viewing is for the sole purpose of screening an event which is judged by the BBC to be of national importance. The BBC considers that the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort to be such an event.
Who can apply for a Licensing Dispensation?
Coronation community events in venues or outside spaces where TV is not usually watched such as;
- Churches
- Town Halls
- Community Centres
- Libraries
- Public streets
Commercial venues acting as community venues such as:
- Concert halls
- Performing arts venues
- Cinemas
- Shops
- Any outdoor venues with facilities to screens
Community event organisers must ensure that:
- Viewings of BBC coverage are free to watch
- They do not charge for viewings (Even if the screening is taking place at a venue which normally has a commercial purpose).
- They do not charge for tickets
- The public are allowed to bring their own food and drink.
Venues and community groups requiring additional information can visit the BBC TV licensing website. (external link)
Don’t forget to submit your event details on the Kings Coronation website and it will be added to a national map of events. (external link)
The National Lottery Community Fund - Awards for All
Groups applying to the National Lottery Community Fund’s Awards for All programme in England(external link) can request funding for the following major events in 2023.
Community led events can apply for National Lottery Funding with grants of up to £10k available.
Forever Manchester
Forever Manchester (external link) funds and supports community activity across Greater Manchester and manages and administers a number of funds.
Tesco Community Grants
Tesco Community Grants (external link) fund thousands of local community projects across the UK, helping to fight holiday hunger, tackle mental health, support young people, host community events and much more.
Community Funding
You can also see what community funding is available via the Deal for Communities Team at Wigan Council. A variety of grant opportunities are advertised on this webpage.
If you community group requires support with accessing funding for a coronation community event please email The Deal For Communities Team
The Royal Family website(external link) provides assets for non-commercial use and helpful links to organisations involved in Jubilee projects and initiatives.
The official emblem is available for download immediately, free of charge. It is available for use for all activities associated with the Kings Coronation celebrations including community and national events, publications, social media, retail, and merchandising.
Schools across the borough are encouraged to support young people to understand more about the Coronation. Schools will be contacted with information on the different ways in which you can celebrate and include the coronation of King Charles III within the curriculum however, should you wish to explore the coronation and/or other Monarchy related topics with your young people, useful materials relating to coronations, King Charles and the Royal Family are avaialble
Monday 8th May 2023
The Big Help Out will be held on Monday, 8th May 2023 and is being organised by The Together Coalition and 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.
In tribute to His Majesty The King's public service, 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.
You could also use the day as opportunity to get involved in your local community by signing up as a Deal Volunteer to be kept updated with upcoming volunteering opportunities near you.
At Wigan Council we support volunteers to contribute to the work we do as well as help community organisations to recruit volunteers across the borough. You'll find a range of volunteering opportunities and can apply for voluntary support via the Wigan Borough Volunteering Hub
You can also visit our Volunteering webpages for more information
Visit Big Help Out(external link) if you would like to get involved in projects near you
Nominations are now open for the Coronation Champions Awards!
The Coronation Champions Awards are now open, celebrating the work of extraordinary volunteers across the UK.
The Coronation Champions Awards will recognise a diverse group of volunteers from different backgrounds and communities across the UK from a range of causes. Help to celebrate the amazing contributions volunteers have made by nominating a volunteer for a Coronation Champions Award.
We are calling for you to nominate volunteers over the age of 14 who may have overcome adversity or discovered creative ways to support their local communities within the last five years in one of the following categories:
- Supporting older people
- Supporting young people and children
- Crisis and welfare
- Community
- Sports, culture, and heritage
- Health and care
- Sustainability and the environment
- Animal welfare.
If you know someone within your community you believe deserves to be recognised you can submit at Coronation Champion Awards(external link).
Anyone can make a nomination. Submissions close at 23:59 on Sunday 2 April 2023.