London is ready to celebrate
Get into a majestic mood in the run up to the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort on Saturday 6 May 2023, with a wealth of things to see and do across the city in celebration.
Discover a feast of events and activities fit for a King and Queen. Here’s a selection of some of our favourites and find more to see and do on the Coronation weekend at VisitLondon.com.
Battersea Power Station Coronation Party – 6 and 7 May
Get your royal wave ready and enjoy a pageantry of fun at Battersea Power Station with big screens to watch The Coronation Service and Procession, street performers along with Elton John and Spice girls tribute acts.
Changing of the Guard, Buckingham Palace
It may feel like more of a thing for tourists than for Londoners but there’s no better way to warm up to the pomp and pageantry of Royal London.
Find yourself a prime spot outside Buckingham Palace before 11am each Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday (daily in June and July) and experience a ceremonial tradition spanned over 520 years of the switching of the Royal Body Guard detachments that protect the monarch.
Royal rock out at 100 Club
A jewel in the crown of London’s live music scene for over 60 years and a truly iconic space to catch up and coming acts as well as legendary musicians.
Performing on the night of the Coronation is no other than the original bassist and songwriter of the Sex Pistols, Glen Matlock. Back in December 2020, The King and The Queen Consort (then The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall) visited the venue in person as part of a tour of the West End with the Mayor of London, Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries and London’s Night Czar. Rumour* has it that they all performed a version of ‘God Save the Queen’ on the 100 Club stage.
*not true but what a supergroup that would be!
Coronation celebrations in the City
The City of London example knows a thing or two about pomp and pageantry with over 500 years of hosting royal events from state visits to royal wedding.
Along with street parties, Leadenhall Market will host a Royal Family-themed tea party with Pearly Kings and Queens and tea ladies in 1950s costume.
And over the Coronation Bank Holiday weekend, visitors to Tower Bridge are invited to get into the spirit by making crowns and sashes from art materials. People visiting on Coronation Day itself will get a special commemorative ticket. City, Tower Hamlets and Southwark residents can enter the iconic attraction for just £1.
Indulge in Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason
The famous London department store was first granted a Royal Warrant in 1910 by Queen Alexandra and the second by King Charles, then Prince of Wales, as Tea Merchants and Grocers. For a truly regale experience, indulge in an ‘Afternoon Tea at Fortnum's’, famous the world over for the precisely-cut sandwiches, fresh-baked cakes, unsurpassable scones and tea.
Roam around the Royal Museums of Greenwich
The National Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House are hosting a series of free events marking the coronation of King Charles III, including royal-themed tours, picnics on the lawns and fun family workshops. There will also be an opportunity to step back in time to the reign of Charles II and meet a 17th-century astronomer, cartographer and rope-maker.
Escape to the Prince Charles Cinema
A London institution and home to an eclectic programme of cult, arthouse, and classic films alongside recent Hollywood releases. Escape in the dark and comfort of the cinema and enjoy The Royal Tenenbaums on the big screen over Coronation weekend.
Trail at the Tower of London
More than any building in London, this is the embodiment of ‘Royal London’.
Ever since William the Conqueror built the White Tower in 1066, this has been a seat of power, a palace, a prison and now a leading visitor attraction and world heritage site.
To celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III, 14 illustrated benches at the Tower of London have been specially designed by school children to create a new trail.
Virtually visit Westminster Abbey
Coronations, royal weddings, kings, queens, statesmen and soldiers; poets, heroes and villains – history has happened here. To prepare for the Coronation of The King and Queen Consort, the Abbey will be closed to visitors and worshippers from 25 April and will re-open on Monday 8 May.
Even if you don’t visit in person, its website is also a rich treasure of amazing stories from the history and artefacts of coronations through to lectures on the Theology of Monarchy.
