As we approach the first coronation in Britain for 70 years, it's no surprise that so many people are looking forward to witnessing a moment in history and the upcoming long May Bank Holiday weekend during which King Charles III will be crowned promises to be a showstopper red, white and blue celebration.
The historic occasion will take place at at Westminster Abbey in London on May 6 where His Majesty the King will be joined by Her Majesty Queen Consort for the formal ceremony, several months after he acceded to the throne upon the death of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, in September 2022. The coronation is expected to attract a wordwide TV audience while cities, towns and villages across the UK are set to host celebrations of their own to share in the party mood.
Street parties are always a traditional way to mark royal events and the Sunday after the grand occasion is designated as the day of the Big Lunch when, similar to the late Queen's Jubilee event, families and communities are being encouraged to share food or join communal picnics.
Read more: Prince Harry to stay just yards from Prince of Wales on returns for Coronation
Then the following Monday is set aside as a day for volunteering opportunities, with The Big Help Out Initiative, to continue the mood of goodwill. Over the May Bank Holiday there are plenty ideas for how people who want to celebrate the coronation can have fun in and around Newcastle.
There will be big screens around the region so that the day's action can be watched live. Celebrations will also include some striking illuminations of city landmarks, such as Durham Cathedral which will be lit up red, white and blue each evening from May 5 to May 9.
Here are just some of the main events happening around the city and wider region.
Coronation Afternoon Tea with Fizz
Royal Station Hotel, May 1-14
The Newcastle hotel is among those getting in on the act with coronation-inspired celebrations and this afternoon tea will be on offer in its Empire Restaurant & Bar up to and beyond the big day. The tea, which promises to be 'fit for a king', includes classic scones with clotted cream and jam, savouries, coronation sandwiches, cakes and pastries and will be served with tea or coffee plus a glass of Prosecco.
It costs £21.95: see here to book.
The Big Coronation Afternoon Tea with Dancing
Durham Market Hall, May 4
From 11am until 1pm, the ornate hall in the Market Square will be hosting a tea dance, for all abilities, followed by a Coronation Afternoon Tea which is to be created and served by students from New College Durham. Tickets cost £7.50 and for information on how to reserve them see here.
King Charles III’s Coronation Dinner
Fenwick, May 5
Right royal treatment is being promised at the Newcastle department store whose Arthur's restaurant and music club, which launched last year, will be celebrating 'a moment to remember' and 'momentous mark in British history' with a decadent night of food, bubbles and live entertainment.
Starting as it means to go on with a Mint Julep, a whisky-base welcome drink, it will then serve up a three-course menu specially designed for the coronation and including what is says are some of the King’s favourite tastes. Expect the likes of asparagus, watercress and truffled mushroom salad, curried spring lamb pie and strawberry and ginger trifle. Veggie and vegan options will be available too.
The musical backdrop to the 6.45pm-10pm dinner will be provided by a traditional brass band with a 21st Century spin. Book tickets, £60, here.
Coronation Tea Dance
Seventeen Nineteen, May 6
With a throwback atmosphere of 1950s tea dances, Seventeen Nineteen at Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland, will be creating an occasion more akin to the last coronation with hop, skiffle and jump moves to a soundtrack of swing classics, jazz favourites and big bopper hits. From 1pm-4pm guests - who are encouraged to turn out in costume - can learn some traditional dances and games.
There will be some modern tunes too and for those wanting to fuel up for the afternoon of dance moves, there will be afternoon tea, hot drinks and classic tipples on sale. For ticket details (there's a suggested donation of £5) see here.
Coronation screening, live music and afternoon tea
South Causey Inn, May 6
If you want to watch the televised ceremony itself, and enjoy plenty cheery company, then the County Durham pub's Old Barn could prove the ideal spot to soak up the atmosphere of the 'once-in-a-lifetime occasion'. The coronation, conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, will be shown live from Westminster Abbey on a big screen and a live brass band will be playing patriotic music.
Tickets cost £49 and included in the price, besides the screening and music, will be fresh pastries with tea and coffee served upon arrival, followed by a traditional afternoon tea with a glass of bubbles for toasts and free-flowing hot drinks. The bar will be open too for anyone wanting cocktails, beers, and Champagne.
To book call 01207 235 555 or email events@southcausey.co.uk and then dig out those glad rags as 'outrageous' coronation attire is being encouraged and there will be prizes for best hats.
Coronation Celebrations at Alnwick Castle
Alnwick Castle - May 6
The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland and the Northumberland castle have announced a 10am-2pm programme of events to mark the coronation and on the big day a big screen in the Outer Bailey of the castle will show the The King's Procession from Buckingham Palace, the Westminster Abbey service at 11am and then The Coronation Procession, culminating in the Royal Family's appearance on the palacebalcony.
The event, with gates opening at 10am, will be free but tickets, which will be limited, must be pre-booked. Guests can take along a blanket or chair for the lawn and there will be a variety of food trucks on-site selling treats and drinks. To reserve a spot see here and to keep an eye out for upcoming details of another live screening there, to show Sunday's coronation concert, see here.
Coronation Weekend at Beamish
Beamish Museum, May 6-8
The County Durham museum invites families to join it for a 1950s-style celebrations to mark the coronation of King Charles III. The occasion happens to coincide with the 50-year anniversary of Beamish Tranway too so visitors will be able to make a pick from a host of historic buses to complement their trip back in time.
Coronation activities will be taking place across the site which, as with all day-time events, will be free with use of the Unlimited Pass or Friends of Beamish membership which is necessary to gain entry: see here.
Coronation Picnic at Newcastle Cathedral
St Nicholas Cathedral, May 7
Getting in on the nationwide communal Sunday lunch idea is this city landmark whose Friends of St Nicholas will be hosting a 3.30pm-5pm event - part of the ‘Big Lunch’ Initiative - on the Eastern Terrace, or inside if the weather isn't good. The picnic lunch will get underway straight after the cathedral's 2pm 'Service of Thanksgiving for the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III’.
There will be limited space so places have to be booked - email Friends secretary Lesley Lee at friendstnicholas@gmail.com - and those going along can take picnics, rugs and chairs. There is also a coronation picnic box, with a sandwich, crisps, piece of traybake and a drink, available for £6 which can be ordered from cafe manager Clare Guiney by emailing clare.guiney@oswinproject.org.uk or calling 07726 411 357. See here.
King Charles III Coronation Variety Show with Afternoon Tea
The Fed, May 8
The Fed in Gateshead is hosting this indoor street party and is inviting people to dress up in patriotic red, white and blue. There promises to be plenty to celebrate during the afternooner which, following a 12.30pm arrival time, will kick off with afternoon tea at 1pm then an hour-long five-piece variety show starting at 1.30pm.
Tickets cost £16.50. To book see www.the-fed.co.uk or call 0191 460 5353.
The Coronation of King Charles III Evensong
Durham Cathedral, May 9
As well as a special Evensong on May 9 at 5.30pm to celebrate the King's coronation, with HM Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham at the service and the Bishop of Durham giving an address. The city landmark will be hosting the Big Lunch over the coronation weekend with picnics in the Cloister Garth.
It opened up this usually-closed grassed area for the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations which proved a huge success. During that weekend the space was open for picnics between 11am and 1pm, with the only stipulation being to avoid the fragile stone basin - the lavabo - at the centre, where monks of the former monastery once washed.
The cathedral cafe was open too for anyone wanting to supplement their picnics with drinks, savouries or scones. Keep an eye out here for the yet-to-be-announced plans this time.
Read Next
