How to spend King Charles III’s coronation weekend

Britain is gearing up for a three-day celebration, culminating in a public holiday on May 8, when King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be crowned in a coronation ceremony not seen in the country for 70 years.

Millions of people are expected to travel to and around the United Kingdom to witness the historic occasion. Travel enquiries for the UK rose 90% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2023, according to data from travel company Red Savannah.

These are some of the top attractions for tourists to explore the grandeur of Britain’s monarchy during the coronation weekend:

• Visit Buckingham Palace and watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony, explore the Queen’s Gallery, and the Household Cavalry Museum. Nearby, visit Westminster Abbey, Kensington Palace, and the Tower of London to explore the grandeur of Britain’s monarchy over the centuries.
• Have a picnic in one of London’s Royal Parks, such as Kensington Palace Gardens, Regent’s, Green, Hyde, and St James’s parks. These parks will host the procession and coronation service on big screens, providing an opportunity to join the celebrations with a picnic. Richmond, Greenwich, and Bushy parks are also nearby and offer wide open spaces to enjoy the festivities.
• Explore Britain’s famous castles, such as Highgrove Estate, Sandringham House, and Holkham Hall. These regal residences and gardens will be open to tours, though some opening times may vary over the coronation weekend. In Scotland, visitors can visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Balmoral Castle, or take a tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia.
• Attend the live coronation concert at Windsor Castle on May 7. Though high profile musicians such as Elton John, Adele, and Harry Styles have reportedly declined invitations to perform, the concert is expected to feature appearances from Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Andrea Bocelli, as well as dance, art, and orchestral performances.
• Join a street party or attend public events with food stalls and live performances in London’s Grosvenor Square and Battersea Power Station. On May 7, communities will host a series of smaller events and street parties, and people are encouraged to share a meal with their neighbors at a coronation Big Lunch. On May 8, people are also invited to engage in voluntary projects in their local areas as part of The Big Help Out charity program.