Excitement is building across the borough as we prepare to join the country and the Commonwealth to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort over a special extended weekend of events from Saturday 6 May to Monday 8 May 2023.
We’ve so much planned over the Coronation Weekend, providing our communities with the opportunity to get involved and celebrate this momentous occasion together. We’re really excited to share what’s in store and we’re sure you’ll agree, it’s going to be a weekend fit for a King:
The Coronation of His Majesty the King & Twisted: Barnsley Festival of Natural Art, Saturday 6 May, 11am to 4pm, Barnsley Town Centre.
We’re delighted to announce that we’ll be hosting a free, one-day event in Glass Works Square, featuring a whole programme of entertainment, performances, and activities for all the family to enjoy. A highlight will be welcoming Charles the T-Rex, a new large-scale willow dinosaur to our existing selection of willow ‘Fantastical Beasts’. Charles the T-Rex is a nod to the monarch’s new cypher which includes CR III, where ‘C’ is for Charles and ‘R’ is for Rex, which means King in Latin.
Charles the T-Rex will lead the way in our new Kingly Beasts trail in Glass Works Square and mall. Other activities include willow crown making, performances by Folk Dance Remixed, Barnsley’s very own English sword dancing team, land art and a performance from outdoor theatre company, HandMade.
Watch the coronation on our big screen in Glass Works Square, Saturday 6 May and Sunday 7 May
We’re delighted to be one of 35 UK locations to host a big screen to show live coverage of the traditional Coronation Ceremony which will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May. The Queen Consort will also be crowned in a similar but simpler ceremony alongside His Majesty The King. The screen will be located outside Library @ the Lightbox with picnic benches along May Day green enabling residents to watch the ceremony together. The ceremony will also be shown on an indoor screen in Library @ the Lightbox.
We will also be screening the spectacular Coronation Concert on Sunday 7 May taking place in the grounds of Windsor Castle. The concert will bring together music icons and contemporary stars together in celebration of this historic occasion.
We hope to see families and friends gathering for these screenings but please note that it will be strictly prohibited to bring your own alcohol to the screening.
Barnsley Libraries
Join in the celebrations with our amazing libraries who’ll be dressed to impress with royal decorations and coronation-themed arts, crafts and activities. Keep an eye out to see what’s happening at your local library.
Barnsley Museums - Cooper Gallery’s Reet Royal Do, Saturday 6 May, 11am to 2pm (aimed at under 7’s but all welcome)
Cooper Gallery will be celebrating the coronation with a Reet Royal Do! Come along to the museum and enjoy stories, crafts and games in the garden and bring along your own picnic to enjoy.
Keep up to date with museum celebrations on the Barnsley Museums website.
Community events
We’re delighted to hear that so many communities and community groups are planning their own local events over the Coronation Weekend. If you have organised a community event, we would urge you to contact our brilliant events team at eventplanning@barnsley.gov.uk who can offer lots of help, advice and support to make sure your event runs smoothly, legally and safely.
Also, please make sure you register your event on the coronation interactive map so that we can see everything planned across the borough and help residents find events happening locally to them.
Keep an eye out in your local area for any activities organised and follow our area council's social media pages. who will be promoting things happening in their local area.
Street parties and the Big Coronation Lunch
Barnsley folk are renowned for their community spirit and if the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee was anything to go by, we know you’ll be hosting street parties fit for a King! If you’ve not already organised one, it’s not too late. You could even hold it as part of The Big Coronation Lunch on Sunday 7 May, where as part of the coronation’s official celebrations, millions of people across the UK will share friendship, food and fun.
To get started and for all the advice and guidance you need, visit streetparty.org.uk and the Big Lunch website.
Don’t forget to get in touch with our events team for support and guidance or advice about road closures. You can also apply directly to close a road using our road closure online form.
The Big Help Out, Monday 8 May
King Charles would like everyone to have the opportunity on the special Coronation Bank Holiday to take part in The Big Help Out. This is a chance to lend a hand and make a change. From rolling up your sleeves to help a local group, to supporting some of the UK’s best-known national charities.
If you want to get involved or find out about volunteering opportunities available locally, visit The Big Help Out website. We’ll also be working with our area teams and CVS to share with you Big Help Out opportunities across the borough.
National celebrations
If you’d prefer to join in the celebrations in the comfort of your own home with a cup of tea and scone, you’re in for a treat as most of the official celebrations will be televised over the weekend for you to enjoy and feel a part of the celebrations.
Join our virtual Jubilee celebrations
Keep an eye out on our social media pages as we count down to the big weekend. We’ll be sharing stories from residents who have met King Charles, looking back at the late Queen’s Coronation celebrations, and sharing the coronation preparations and activities taking place within our communities.
The King’s Coronation Poster Competition
We are really excited to reveal our King’s Competition for the coronation. We are inviting children aged 4 to 16 years old to design a poster to celebrate the coronation in Barnsley. Full details and terms and conditions can be found on our dedicated coronation website page.
The Mayor of Barnsley, Cllr Sarah-Jane Tattersall said: “It’s fantastic to hear about all the things planned across the borough to celebrate the King’s Coronation, we’re really doing King Charles proud. I am also delighted to hear that we’re screening the ceremony live from Glass Works Square as part of our special coronation event, it’s going to be a day to remember.
“There’s going to be something for everyone, and I look forward to welcoming visitors to our town wanting to join in Barnsley’s celebrations. I’m particularly looking forward to welcoming Charles the T-Rex as part of the willow sculpture trail and making my own willow crown to mark the occasion.
“It's also great to hear about all the local events and gatherings being planned within our communities as we come together in true Barnsley style to share this historical milestone. Our communities are the jewel in our crown and together we’ll give the coronation the celebration it deserves.
“Whether you’ve made your coronation plans or not, I wish you all a wonderful memorable weekend as we welcome our new King to the throne.”
Keep up to date with everything happening across the borough by visiting our coronation website page and following us on social media.
