Get ready for a Coronation weekend to remember

King's Coronation

02 May 2023

  • Celebrate the Coronation in the Castle Grounds and the Assembly Rooms
  • Pre book activities via The Assembly Rooms website
  • Riverdrive carpark will be closed from 4 May- 9 May

Preparations to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort over the weekend of the 5-8 May in Tamworth, are under way as Tamworth Borough Council confirm the Castle Grounds and Assembly Rooms events and activities.

The council is pulling out all the stops to help celebrate the Coronation, with parties, events and fun throughout the extended coronation weekend including live outdoor performances, storytelling, puppetry, magician shows, cinema at the Assembly Rooms, community sports events including a 2km and 5km fun run, The Big Lunch, outdoor inflatable obstacle course from The Realm, Hamsterzorb and cream teas!

Three full days of celebrations start on Friday 5 May with cinema screening at the Assembly Rooms and carry on throughout the whole bank holiday weekend.

Grab your tickets for ‘Cinema at the Assems’ for Friday 5 May, then head over to the Castle Grounds bandstand from 2pm for live music. A special Coronation Cream Tea box can be pre-ordered to collect from the Castle Kiosk on the day to eat whilst you enjoy the performance.

To order your cream tea box please call The Assembly Rooms Box Office on: 01827 709618.

On Saturday 6 May and Sunday 7 May, families are invited to take part in free sports activities, including a ‘royal funrun’, a piggyback race and tug of war in the Castle Grounds.

Throughout both days families will also be able to book tickets for ‘The Realm’ outdoor inflatable obstacle challenge for children 12 years old and younger, or the Hamserzorb which is available for people of all ages.

If you prefer something more relaxing, the performance tent will be open from 11am showcasing outdoor theatre, storytelling and puppetry. Plus, live music in the afternoon from the Bandstand.

The timetable of performances in the tent are as follows:

11am – 11.30am: Rogan Mills Storytelling

11.35am– 12.05pm: Steven Taputoro – Magician

12.10pm – 12.40pm: Rogan Mills Storytelling

12.50pm – 1.10pm:  Mark Whitaker Puppetry – Special Delivery  

1.15pm – 1.45pm: Steven Taputoro – Magician             

1.55pm – 2.25pm: Musical Storytellers

2.35pm – 3.00pm: Maria Credali – Storytelling

3.10pm – 3.30pm: Mark Whitaker puppetry – Special Delivery

3.40pm – 4.05pm: Maria Credali – Storytelling

4.30pm – 4.50pm: Mark Whitaker Puppetry – Special Delivery

5.10 – 5.30pm: Tamworth Pantomime Company

5.45pm – 6pm: Five Star Theatre

Bring a picnic to the lower lawn and join in with The Big Lunch on Sunday 7 May from 12noon. This event is part of a countrywide Coronation Big Lunch which encourages everyone to join for a picnic and celebrate. Enjoy an afternoon of live music at the bandstand, meet with friends and family for an informal lunch party.

Food stalls will also be on site along with walkabout character and loads more fun for the whole family. Entry to the event is free.

On Sunday, the fun packed day will finish with a ticketed Coronation Concert Dinner at the Assembly Rooms.  

Monday 8 May sees the national Big Help Out take place, where local community groups and volunteers are invited to mark the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort, by joining together and helping in our local communities. Everyone is welcome to help in any way they can. This can include anything from checking in on someone who would like company or volunteering for a charity.

Most activities will be free, excluding the inflatables, Hamsterzorb, Cinema at the Assems and the Coronation Concert Dinner which will need a paid ticket available from the Assembly Rooms: https://www.tamworthartsandevents.co.uk/ or contact: email: tic@tamworth.gov.uk Telephone: 01827 709618.

Further updates, the full schedule and details of how to register for the fun runs is available online at https://www.tamworthartsandevents.co.uk/.

Please note that Riverdrive car park will be closed from Thursday 4 May – Monday 8 May, to assist with the Coronation activities planned in the Castle Grounds.

The car park will reopen fully on Tuesday 9 May. Valid permit holders will be able to use ANY other Tamworth Borough Council car park during this time.