Coronation Party Ideas

Saturday 6^th of May 2023 will mark the Coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey. Across the UK, people are already making plans to gather with friends and neighbours to celebrate this historic event. Whether you’re looking to host a traditional Coronation party that echoes the unforgettable British street parties of the past, or planning a celebration with a more modern feel, we’ve got some great Coronation party ideas to help you mark this memorable occasion in style!
 

Coronation party decorations ideas

• Union Jack bunting is a must for all Coronation parties, big and small! Consider purchasing your bunting as far in advance as possible as you’ll discover it will be in very high demand over the next few months. You could even save money and design your own bunting with the help of local groups or schools to turn it into real community-spirited event.
• Decorate tables with centrepieces featuring the colours of the flag, such as flowers arranged in red, white and blue vases and keep the theme going with matching table covers and napkins.
• Consider holding a ‘design a decoration’ competition for kids. They will love to see their designs up on display and their creations can be kept as mementos of the special day for years to come.
• While decorations add a celebratory feel to any occasion, they can result in a substantial amount of litter after the party, so wherever possible, use decorations that can be stored away and used for future occasions.

Coronation party food and drinks ideas

While you may want to pull out all the stops with your Coronation menu, it’s advisable to keep it relatively simple, especially if you’re planning a collaborative effort with friends or neighbours. It’s also worth taking into consideration how the food will be served – after all, nobody wants to spend the evening of the party washing up mountains of crockery and cutlery!

Here are some suggestions for your coronation party menu:

• Buffet: Set up a buffet with a variety of British-themed dishes that guests can help themselves to, such as sausage rolls, mini quiches and pork pies.
• Desserts: No Coronation party is complete without dessert! Offer a selection of quintessentially British sweet treats, like strawberries and cream, Victoria sponges and cupcakes. You could give your cakes a Coronation theme with Union Jack icing.
• Finger Foods: Offer easy-to-eat snacks like chips and dip or cheese and crackers that guests can carry around with ease while mingling with other people from your community.
• Cocktails: Offer a signature cocktail or mocktail that fits the theme of the celebration. For example, you could raise a toast to the new King with Pimm’s punch or raspberry lemonade mocktails – delicious!
• BBQ: If you’re hosting a garden party, a BBQ is always a popular option – but very weather dependent, particularly in May when the weather is still very unpredictable.

Coronation party activities and games ideas

If you’re planning on including some activities and games as part of the special event, here are some ideas to help keep attendees young and old entertained.

• Races and competitions: Set up a variety of games such as a treasure hunt, three-legged race, or an egg and spoon race. You could also organise a talent contest or a best dressed competition.
• Get crafting! Have a crafting table or area where attendees can get creative by designing their own paper crown or making some Union Jack bunting and flags.
• Face painting: Become part of the decorations yourself with some patriotic red, white and blue non-toxic face paints.
• Music and Entertainment: Hire a live band or DJ to play music (a Temporary Events Notice may be required for this), or organise a sing-along or karaoke competition.
• Photo Booth: Set up a photo booth with props such as crowns and flags so that everyone can capture their memories of the day.

Don’t forget the Big Clear Up!

Remember – the larger the party, the bigger the tidy up operation afterwards! It may not be the most fun aspect of planning a Coronation party but having a clean-up strategy in place is essential for ensuring your party venue is cleared of all waste and clutter in a timely and efficient manner. For street parties and larger celebrations, drum up support from volunteers and assign roles accordingly so that everyone has their own individual area of responsibility. The more people you have to support the big clear up, the more you can focus on celebrating the big day, rather than worrying about the mess that’s left behind.
 

Some dos and don’ts for hosting a Coronation street party

Organising a Coronation street party can be fun, helping to create special memories that last a lifetime. There are, however, some important steps that should not be overlooked while you focus on the more fun aspects of Coronation party-planning.

• Start planning your party at least six weeks in advance
• Apply for a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to close the road (if applicable)
• Fill out the government application form on your local council website
• Apply for a Temporary Events Notice if you're planning on selling alcohol.
• Invite guests once the application is approved
• Consider taking out Coronation Street Party Insurance which will cover you if a member of the public gets injured at the Coronation event or if there’s damage to third-party property.

We hope this article has provided you with some inspiration for your forthcoming Coronation party. For more information about our insurance policies, contact Event Insurance for a quote today!