To celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III, there are lots of events taking place across Dorset between 5 and 8 May 2023.
The official Coronation website also has an interactive map which will display events and activities taking place in Dorset as well as the rest of the UK and across the world.
Celebration 3 Night Stay at The Heights Hotel
Celebrate the coronation of King Charles III on the Royal Manor of Portland at The Heights Hotel.
On Saturday 6 May, view the Coronation on the big screen and celebrate with a Royal Cream Tea. On the evening of the 7th May, enjoy a glass of bubbly as you watch the fireworks over Weymouth seafront from our bistro patio or cafe bar (weather depending).
This special offer price is £195 per person for any 3 night stay between 4 and 8 May 2023 (based on bed and breakfast for two people sharing a classic twin or double room). Pre-book dinner during your stay for only £30 per person, per night. Quote ROYAL MAY when booking to claim this offer.
Afternoon Tea
What could be more British than celebrating the Kings Coronation with a delicious afternoon tea?
At The Grange at Oborne enjoy an afternoon tea on 6th May accompanied by some wonderful jazz from Mike Denham's Elite Syncopations. Traditional afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, delicious cakes, scones with clotted cream and jam will be served between 3 and 5 pm after watching the coronation.
Across the bank holiday weekend from 6th until 8th May, afternoon tea will be served at Symondsbury Kitchen between 12pm and 3pm. Enjoy a delicious selection of finger sandwiches, a slice of Coronation quiche, scones with Symondsbury Estate Jam and Dorset clotted cream, traditional cakes and patisserie. All accompanied by a selection of Dorset coffees and teas. For a special treat, why not also add a glass of Symondsbury Estate Cuvée!
Weymouth Boat Trip
Cruise the coast and watch the Coronation fireworks over Weymouth Bay on 7 May with Snapper Charters.
Departing from Weymouth's historic harbour at 8:30pm, the boat will head down to Red Cliff (near Bowleaze) before looping back to find the perfect spot to anchor and take in the firework display.
You are more than welcome to bring a picnic and bubbly to celebrate as the sun goes down. The firework display is due to start at 9.30pm and the boat will be be back at the harbour around 10pm.
Coronation events in Weymouth
From 6 to 8 May, Nothe Fort in Weymouth will host a Coronation Festival complete with live music from Wessex Musical Theatre, the Bovington Military Wives Choir and the Dorset Wrecks. Cream teas will be available from the Fort View Café and you can sit at their street party table where you can dine and chat! For children, there’s a fun trail to follow, have a go at crown making, or enjoy some fun lawn games. There will also be a live streaming of the Coronation on Saturday 6th May.
Also in Weymouth from 6 May until 8 May, head down to end of the beach near the Pavilion Theatre for a family fun fair and fun rides and sideshows to celebrate the Coronation.
On 7 May from 12pm until 10pm on Weymouth Beach (opposite Alexandra Gardens), a stage will be hosting local bands and performers, with a fantastic firework display at 9:30pm. The event is family friendly with free entry. You can download the music line-up from Weymouth Town Council website.
Watch on the Big Screen
Big Screens will be placed in the Lower Gardens at Bournemouth, The Quomps at Christchurch Quay and Baiter Park near Poole Harbour to broadcast live the Coronation events taking place in London on 6 and 7 May.
On Saturday 6 May watch the Coronation Ceremony of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey streamed live on the big screen.
At each of the big screen locations on Sunday 7 May, bring your own picnic and be part of the Coronation Big Lunch, and then later enjoy the music on the big screen showing the Coronation Concert taking place as Windsor Castle.
Find out more on the BCP Council website.
Live music on Bournemouth Pier
On Saturday 8 May from 8pm, The Plus Ones will be performing live music at Key West on Bournemouth Pier.
The Plus Ones are a four-piece professional cover band who play a refreshing mix of power ballads and rock covers celebrating the best of British music including hits from The Beatles to Adele and Billie Eilish.
Tickets are just £10 per person and you can enjoy 2-for-1 cocktails all night!
Events in Blandford Forum
There are events planned at Blandford Forum across the weekend from 6 until 8 May. Free parking will be available throughout the town for these events, however time limits still apply.
On Friday 5 May from 7:30pm, there will be a Coronation Proms Night in the Corn Exchange with Blandford Stour Valley Band and the Dorset Rural Music School, hosted by Sam James. Free tickets are available to book.
Join the free Coronation Big Community Lunch in the Corn Exchange on Sunday 7 May from 12pm. Followed by a fancy dress competition (you’ll need to register before the event) at 2pm and also live music in the Market Place and a Fairground opposite The Crown Hotel.
On Monday 8 May, take part in a free Treasure Hunt at Woodhouse Gardens from 10am until 1pm. Wander around the garden answering the questions then come along to the Corn Exchange to claim your prize.
Coronation celebrations in Wimborne Minster
The Wimborne Coronation Celebration takes place on Sunday 7 of May in Wimborne Town Centre from 11am until 7pm.
Patriotically dressed benches and tables will line the High Street in readiness for everyone to bring their family and friends to enjoy a great day out. Local restaurants and shops will be ready and waiting to sell their wares so that visitors can enjoy a fabulous picnic in the town centre.
In The Square will be a stage with live music from local bands and artists. The focus will be a 'through the years' celebration of our new Kings life from the 1950's onwards until the present day.
Children’s entertainment will be brought to the Green in front of Wimborne Minster church by Little Gizmos Entertainment plus face painting, a fair and some local craft stalls.
Wareham Coronation Big Lunch
A Coronation Big Lunch will be held in North Street, Wareham from 2:30pm on Sunday 7 May.
There will be live music and you’re invited to bring a picnic with you.
Celebration events in Sherborne
This year, the annual Sherborne Summer Festival has been combined with a Coronation Party to create a whole weekend of celebration events in Sherborne.
On 6 and 7 May from 2pm until 10pm each day at Pageant Gardens near the railway station, there will be live music, stalls, children's entertainment, plus food and drink. On the Sunday evening there will be an exciting finish to the celebrations with a music and laser show. These events are free to attend.
Lyme Regis celebrations
Lyme Regis' Marine Theatre has a full programme of events over the weekend, including a screening of the coronation on the morning of Saturday 6 May with free admission. Full details are available on the theatre website.
On Sunday 7 May Lyme Regis Town Band will perform a celebratory concert in the Marine Parade Shelters at 1.30pm and later, there will be a open-air Big Coronation Party held at Lyme Regis Football Club from 3pm until 10.30pm. The free event starts with a children’s disco, followed by live music from local bands, free activities for children, plus a bar and various food options. Read more on the Lyme Regis Town Council website.
Coronation Events in Shaftesbury
The Kings Coronation Community Festival will take place at Wincombe Recreation Ground from 4pm until late on Saturday 6 May. Alongside local musicians, you'll be able to enjoy a BBQ and various street food with a pop-up bar or you can bring your own picnic.
On Sunday 7 May a Crown Hunt will take place at the newly re-opened St. James' Park from 11am until 2pm. 1000 Wooden crowns have been hidden in the grounds of the Park and Shaftesbury Abbey. Find 5 to win a special Coronation prize! Entry is free but you'll need to register your place via Eventbrite.
From 11am at the Town Hall on Monday 8 May, supporters of the Gold Hill Museum will be re-enacting a Byzant Ceremony with Maypole Dancing.
Find out more about Coronation events taking place in the town on the Shaftesbury Town Council website.
Coronation celebrations in Dorchester
At Salisbury Fields on Saturday 6 May, bring your own picnic and enjoy the entertainment from 5pm.
There will be a beacon lighting later in the evening at 8pm. This is a free event. Read more on the Discover Dorchester website.
Coronation Events in Swanage
Swanage Railway is offering a 20% discount when your book your tickets online for the Wareham service during Coronation Weekend. 6th-8th May inc.
More events
To find more Coronation events such as boat trips, craft activities and garden parties, take a look at our What's On guide.
