News

On Saturday 6 May, King Charles III will officially ascend to the throne at Westminster Abbey. A few of us may remember the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, but for many, this will be the first time watching a Coronation ceremony so we need to make it a weekend to remember!

Across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, big screens are being installed and BCP Council are encouraging everyone to bring chairs and a picnic and come together as a community to watch this momentous occasion live on the morning of Saturday 6 May.

The official Coronation Service will begin at 11am at Westminster Abbey, with the screens in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole broadcasting the events from around 10.20am, starting with the procession through London prior to the Coronation Service.

On Sunday 7 May, enjoy the music on the big screens which will be showing the special Coronation Concert that’s taking place at Windsor Castle at 8pm. You can find out more about these events here.

In Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens, come and watch the Coronation Service on the big screens and afterwards, the entertainment continues into the afternoon, with Steamship Circus providing walkabout entertainment, performing from 11:00am-5pm. There will also be live music through the afternoon to entertain all ages!

Join in the fun at the Henry Brown and Moore Avenue Park Coronation Community Fun Day on Saturday 6 May from 12-4pm. With a BBQ, circus skills workshop, live music, marching band, royal fancy dress competition and so much more, this is well worth a visit!

Over 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! 

On Saturday 6 May, bring your picnic blankets and some tasty treats and enjoy the Coronation Service screening, then join in as the party continues throughout the day with a fancy dress competition (details in the image below), 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.

Also on Saturday 6 May, get blown away by Bubble Entertainment and their outdoor walkabout entertainment from 10am-2pm in Saxon Square. Steamship Circus will be performing between 11am-5pm around the Town Centre, and don’t forget to ntake part in the Coronation Shop Window Trail and find all the letter to spell out a word!

Christchurch Priory is lighting up in honour of this historic event on Saturday 6 May at 9pm. Images and animation celebrating the Coronation will be projected onto the front of the Priory.

While in Christchurch, come and listen to some live music on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 May 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!