Celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III

The Coronation of King Charles III takes place this May and the borough of Ashford has a range of events and activities to celebrate this historic day.

Saturday 6 May

The Coronation Ceremony for His Majesty King Charles III will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May 2023. In Ashford the day will be celebrated with a community event in Victoria Park from 10am to 4pm. Local residents are encouraged to walk or cycle to the park and bring a picnic where they can meet other families and enjoy a live screening of the Coronation Ceremony. This will be followed by a Coronation Community Showcase featuring performances from local groups and individuals. Children and their parents can also enjoy craft activities at the event. 

Children can get creative with a Coronation themed craft workshop and face painter on Saturday 6 May from 10am to 3pm at County Square Shopping Centre. There will also be a screening of the Coronation at St Mary's the Virgin Church from 10am. 

Throughout the weekend visitors can take a look at our gallery of Kings and Queens, created by local school children, which will be displayed around the town centre.

Sunday 7 May

A civic service of celebration will be held at St Mary’s the Virgin Church, Ashford on Sunday 7 May from 11am to 12.30pm.

At the Coronation Party at The Piazza from 12pm to 3pm at Elwick Place visitors can enjoy food, drink, free children's crafts, live music and enter the best dressed King/Queen selfie competition to win Elwick Place prizes!

Also on Sunday the national Coronation programme includes the ‘The Big Coronation Lunch’ (with a concert taking place in Windsor in the evening). The aim of ‘The Coronation Big Lunch’ is to encourage communities across the nation to join together to share friendship, food and fun, more details are available on The Big Lunch website.

Monday 8 May

On Bank Holiday Monday, 8 May ‘The Big Help Out’ community volunteering event reflects on the legacy of His Majesty’s service and showcases the impact of volunteering within communities. More information can be found on The Big Help Out website.

Sarah Barber, Tourism and Heritage Manager said: We hope this will be a momentous weekend of celebration across the UK and Ashford, and look forward to seeing how our communities mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.”