Torbay is getting ready for a weekend of free events to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III.
Preparations are well underway with Union Jack flags flying, red, white, and blue bunting, and planting popping up around the Bay.
The Coronation of King Charles III takes place on Saturday 6 May and everyone in Torbay is invited to join to a special bank holiday weekend (6-8 May) of events.
The celebrations start with the official Coronation Ceremony being live streamed on a big screen at Torre Abbey Meadows in Torquay. From 10am where coverage of the historic event will be shown, local food and drink traders will be on hand to keep everyone fed and hydrated as they relax and enjoy the atmosphere until 6pm.
Day one of the festivities ends with a spectacular firework display from the award-winning Blitz Fireworks from Paignton seafront at 9.00pm. A road closure along Esplanade Road, between Marine Drive and Torbay Road, will be in place between 8.15pm and 10.15pm.
On Sunday 7 May the celebrations continue at Torre Abbey Meadows with a packed afternoon of live entertainment, performances, activities and music, before joining the nation in watching the live broadcast of the Royal Coronation Concert.
From 11am Paul Northey and the team from Children’s Week will be comparing the event and introducing the wide variety of musical acts on the main stage.
The event, hosted by Torbay Council is supported by Torbay Community Development Trust (TCDT) who will be running a volunteering hub to let you know about Torbay wide volunteering opportunities as part of The Big Help Out initiative. More than 15 local organisations will be there to showcase the positive impact volunteering has on local communities and how you can get involved.
Residents and visitors are invited to bring along their own picnics with a variety of additional food and drink traders on site including ice-cream vans, confectioners, and Bays Brewery. Cash and card payments will be accepted, with people encouraged to bring both to avoid disappointment as there will be no cash withdrawal facilities available on site.
Access to the event is easy via public transport or walking. Torquay train station is just a short distance away, as are the bus stops for the main routes.
Nearby car parks can be found at Torre Valley, Abbey Park, Sheddon Hill and Lower Union Lane.
To minimise plastic waste, fresh drinking water will be provided to top up reusable drink’s bottles. Glass bottles of any kind are not permitted on site.
Free toilets will be available, including disabled and baby changing provisions.
A disabled viewing platform will be provided to ensure everyone gets to enjoy the day.
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead. Dog owners are responsible for their dogs at all times.
A medical tent and lost children’s point will be available and signed should these services be needed.
Coronation Celebration running order (Sunday 7 May)
12.00pm Children’s Week Family Fun Time
1.00pm The Becky Bennett Show
2.00pm Spectrum Music
2.45pm Children’s Week Family Fun Time
3.15pm Rock Choir
4.15pm The Humanitarians
5.30pm Sound Communities Showcase
6.30pm Joey The Lips
8.10pm The Worshipful, The Mayor of Torbay
8.15pm Royal Coronation Concert live on the big screen
Family fun
Plenty of family entertainment from the team behind Children’s Week, Sound Communities DJ bus, plus traditional games delivered by Torbay Scouts, bouncy castles, face painting, a graffiti club, walkabout acts including some of everyone’s favourite superheroes and kids’ characters, a special children’s arts and crafts marquee with lots of coronation fun themed activities for children to enjoy.
Parking and travel
Find a car park including locations, charges and opening hours via: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/parking/car-parks/
Stagecoach bus services: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/
GWR services: https://www.gwr.com/
Other Coronation events happening across Torbay
More widely across Torbay there’s plenty more happening with Brixham Future Partnerships putting on six-days of celebrations that start on Wednesday 3 May, including a fantastic firework display on Sunday 7 May at 9pm from the Breakwater.
In Paignton, in addition to the Anderton and Rowland funfair (28 April to 8 May), and firework display on Saturday 6 May, local event company Tonic Creatives invite families to their Circus Workshop taking place on Monday 8 May on the green.
There’s lots of church services and faith events taking place. Special services, concerts, food events, bell ringing, and live streaming of the Coronation Ceremony is happening at churches across the Bay. Find out more on our Coronation webpage.
Several local communities are hosting Street Parties across the Coronation bank holiday weekend which will mean some road closures in these areas.
Look out for the festoon lighting along Paignton and Torquay’s seafronts being changed to red, white, and blue, special Coronation flags flying and spectacular floral displays in Abbey Park.
If you are at an event and see something that doesn’t feel right, report it straight away to event security teams or organisers or to the emergency services or online via: https://act.campaign.gov.uk/
More information
Discover more about Torbay’s Coronation Celebrations via: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/the-coronation
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