The Coronation of his Majesty King Charles III: Here's how you can celebrate in Stockton-on-Tees

Plans to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III in Stockton-on-Tees on Saturday, 6 May have been revealed.

A Bank Holiday weekend is taking place from Saturday, 6 May until Monday, 8 May to mark the occasion.

And Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is planning a series of events to mark the occasion.

The Council's Director of Community Services, Environment and Culture, Reuben Kench, said: "The Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III is an important moment in the life of the nation, and one which current and future generations will look back on. We're keen to provide an opportunity for residents of the Borough to celebrate the investiture of the King in a variety of settings, including facilities like libraries, public spaces such as Stockton High Street, or in the streets and driveways outside their houses. 

"It's great to see people coming forward with plans to arrange their own street parties and celebrations across the Bank Holiday weekend. We hope everyone has a brilliant time."

The Coronation Big Lunch

Saturday 6 May, 10am - 4pm
Stockton High Street

Residents from the Borough and beyond are invited to come together for the 'Coronation Big Lunch' and have a picnic on Stockton High Street
As part of the celebrations, there's a packed programme of free entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. 

Here's what's in store: 

Take part in the fun

The event begins at 10am where you can see a range of amusing walkabout street theatre acts The Satsumas, the Queen's Guard Stiltwalkers, music from Worker Bee Brass Band and 'Come Bowl with Me' interactive performances throughout the day. 

Pop into one of the 'Living Archives' activity cabins on Stockton High Street from 10am to 4pm where you can see Coronation celebrations of the past at our libraries' historic photography exhibition, opportunities to enjoy craft activities, write a postcard to the King and leave a voice message in our audio guest book with PEG creations and the Council's youth-led movement, Bright Minds Big Future. Plus get snapped with a range of fun themed props at the pop-up photobooth.

As well as these activities, families can head to one of the drop-in workshops and try a music-making jam session with Apollo Arts Music from 10am-12pm. 

Then from 1pm-4pm people can also enjoy a Coronation flower-pressing workshop creating mini lanterns inspired by King Charles III's Royal emblem with local florist Hannah Elliott of New Leaf Stockton.

And of course, there's also the return of the popular Victorian fair complete with a Ferris wheel and carousel, plus face painting, balloon modelling throughout the day. 

Dance the day away

Get into the spirit with free dance workshops  for all the family from 10:15am to 11:30am with a chance to learn how to Salsa or do the Charleston. Local dance troupe Urban Kaos will then lead a 'Best of British' community dance party between 11:30am to 12pm.

Join a traditional 'Through the Decades' social tea dance by Round in Circles from 12pm to 2:30pm followed by an energetic celebratory performance from the Wildcats of Kilkenny at the Plinth from 2:45pm-4pm to round off the day's events. 

What kind of food and drink will be on offer?

From 11.30am people can sample delicious free 'Royal Recipes' served by local bakers Tasty Tarts and Sprouts community food charity, along with plenty of food and drink stalls to choose from - or bring along your own picnic to enjoy on the day!

Traders will include:

•  Tasty Tarts - cakes and sweet treats
•  The Cocktail Box - cocktails and mocktails
•  Forged Flavours -  Delicious Latin, American and Asian inspired dishes 
•  Velveteen Rabbit Luncheon Club - artisan savoury pies and sausage rolls
•  Sip and Sugar - cookies and cookie pies
• Stewy's Ices - ice cream
• Royal British Legion - tombola 

Watch the big event on the big screen!

Take a seat in front of Stockton Town Hall to watch the live streamed Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.

Get involved with our digital programme

If you can't get to Saturday's event, you can still get involved from home.

There are a range of Coronation activities to do in our downloadable activity pack, from flag-making crafts with artist Adele Catchpole, to baking Eton Mess Teacup Cheesecakes with Tasty Tarts and a Coronation Curry by Sprouts community charity.

And there's lots happening at the Borough's libraries

Chaotic Coronations: the bits the history books left out

Explore the many things that have gone wrong at the Coronations of Kings and Queens over the last 1,000 years. From fires to fights, plague, medical emergencies and even a Queen Consort being locked out of Westminster Abbey, learn about these historic events at Norton Library on 21 April, or at Stockton Central Library on 22 April from 10.30-11.30am. To book your free place visit the library events website or contact your local library.

Plotting the Coronation Route

Join this event at Norton Library on 3 May from 5-6pm and find landmarks in the library to create a map to follow King Charles III's coronation route. Bring your map to the library before Saturday 13 May to be entered into the prize draw. To book your free place visit the library events website or contact your local library.

Coronation Crafts

Visit Ingleby Barwick Library from 5-6pm on 4 May for a drop-in crafts session to make some bunting.

A Right Royal Selfie

Pop in to Thornaby Central Library throughout April and May for a Right Royal Selfie at the Royal Coach selfie station and make a crown while you're there. 

Coronation quiz and cakes

Keep an eye on the Council's social media feeds for dates and details of Coronation Quiz and Cake sessions at libraries across the borough. Come along to share royal thoughts and memories, enjoy tea and cake and try your luck at a Coronation Quiz. 

Celebrations of yesteryear

From mid-April, Stockton Central Library will display a photographic exhibition of the history of Coronation celebrations in Stockton along with several souvenirs.

Visit Preston Park over Bank Holiday

Preston Park Museum's Victorian Street will be given a royal makeover from Saturday, 6 May to Monday, 8 May. 

Visitors are invited to bring a picnic and pull up a chair at the Coronation Big Lunch table on the street on Monday, 8 May.

There'll be lots of other activities including arts and crafts throughout the Bank Holiday weekend, as well as food demonstrations from 11am-3pm on Sunday, 7 May and The Big Help Out bluebell community planting event on Monday, 8 May.

For more details visit the Preston Park Museum website.

There could be a street party near you! 

There are over 80 registered street parties taking place across the Borough. We hope that everyone enjoys the weekend celebrations together! 

To see the full programme of events to mark the King's Coronation visit the King's Coronation webpage.

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