Somerset Council in collaboration with Taunton Town Council is planning a two-day celebration to mark the Coronation of King Charles III over the weekend of 6 and 7 May 2023.

People will be able to watch the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort live on a giant screen in Castle Green, Taunton, on Saturday (6 May), and the Coronation Concert which will be live streamed from Windsor Castle on Sunday (7 May).

The free event is taking place in the heart of the county town with The Museum of Somerset, The Castle Hotel and the Municipal Buildings creating the perfect historical backdrop to the celebrations.

People are invited to bring picnics and their best singing voices to join in with the festivities in the town centre which will be decorated with red, white and blue planters and hanging baskets filled with plants from Somerset Council’s own nursery.

The Coronation celebrations will run throughout the weekend with a community stage featuring an exciting programme of entertainment where local bands and performers will showcase their talents.

The Council has been lucky enough to receive grant funding from Music for Youth for the King’s Coronation Bandstand Project and is collaborating with the Sound Foundation Somerset and Somerset Music to deliver the weekend-long musical festival.

In addition to the main events at Castle Green, youth groups and traditional brass bands will perform on the bandstand in Vivary Park, Taunton, launching the annual season of weekend performances in the Green Flag Award-winning location where in 1902 an oak tree was planted close to the bandstand to mark the coronation of Edward VII.

Chair of Somerset Council, Cllr Mike Best, said:

“I am delighted that we are able to play our part in this historic occasion by bringing the Coronation and the Coronation Concert to the people of Somerset while showcasing our own homegrown talent from across the county.

“I would like to thank all our partners and contributors for working with us and hope people from across Somerset will join us as we come together to mark this joyful event together.”

Keep an eye on our website and social media for announcements of the line-up for each day plus more information, including timings pending confirmation from Buckingham Palace. Search Taunton Coronation or use the hashtag #TauntonCoronation.