Coronation weekend celebrations to bring communities together across Chichester District

The Coronation will take place on the morning of Saturday May 6 at Westminster Abbey, London.

On Sunday May 7 a spectacular Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle will showcase the country's diverse cultural heritage in music, theatre and dance. One of the highlights of the concert will be 'Lighting up the Nation', in which iconic locations across the UK will be lit up with projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations.

Tens of thousands of Coronation Big Lunches and street parties will be held in the UK and Commonwealth on Sunday and across the weekend.

A number of street parties will be happening across the Chichester District, with 18 scheduled to take place.

In Midhurst, the Town Council has organised a special event which will take place in the Market Square on Saturday 6 May, from 10am until 5pm. The Midhurst Parish Church bells will ring out from 9.30am to celebrate the occasion, and there will also be a big screen, market stalls and children's crafts, plus tables and chairs set out on a first come, first served basis, with people also encouraged to bring their own. 

In Chichester, there will be a big screen set up on Chichester Cathedral Green on Saturday 6 May where people can watch coverage of the Coronation parade and ceremony. The free event (opens new window) will run from 10am until 3pm. Deck chairs will be set out for people to gather for picnics and there will be themed arts; crafts; games; and, face painting for children to enjoy. The main streets of the city will also feature Union flags and specially designed Coronation flags created by local schoolchildren, while the city's side streets will be decorated with colourful bunting. Visitors are encouraged to bring a rug and a picnic or pick up a delicious lunch from one of the city's eateries. 

Other events have been organised by Petworth Town Council, Heyshott Parish Council; and East Wittering and Bracklesham Parish Council; and, Plaistow and Ifold Parish Council. 

People are also being encouraged to organise a Big Lunch (opens new window) to help raise money for local charities and bring people together. 

The activities on Sunday will culminate in an evening of song and dance at the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle, staged and broadcast by the BBC in front of an audience of several thousand members of the public, selected for free tickets through a public ballot.

The weekend of celebrations will end with the Big Help Out (opens new window) on Monday May 8 - a special Bank Holiday in honour of the Coronation. Created by Britain's best loved charities and organised by The Together Coalition, it will highlight the positive impact volunteering has on communities across the nation. In tribute to His Majesty and The King's lifetime of public service, The Big Help Out will encourage people to come out and support the causes that matter to them. 

Date of Release: 26 April 2023   

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