King’s Coronation to be broadcast in Piccadilly Gardens on a huge screen

The king’s Coronation is to be shown on a big screen in Piccadilly Gardens in the city centre as well as Parliament Square in Oldham town centre.

The government confirmed the two Greater Manchester venues as two of more than 30 locations expected to get big screens to show the event live across the country. More venue confirmations are expected to be announced this week.

The Department for Culture and Media has said the screening of the event in public spaces will bring thousands of people together to witness the historic event. The Coronation of the King and Queen consort is set to take place on Saturday May 6th at Westminster Abbey in London — where the late Queen was crowned 70 years ago.

The historic event will take place on the weekend following the first Bank Holiday in May and will be followed by an extra Bank Holiday on Monday May 8th.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “The Coronation will be a magical moment that brings people together to celebrate the best of Britain over a special weekend in May.

“These big screens, in major locations in towns and cities in the four nations of the UK, will make it easier for everyone to take part and have a memorable experience to mark this exciting and historic event.”

The government said the weekend of celebrations would see local authorities host events including cultural festivals, live music, community workshops, art showcases and creative games and competitions.

A ‘Coronation concert’ will also be held at Windsor Castle on Sunday May 7th, broadcast live on the BBC, and prominent public buildings and landmarks will be lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations.

Many thousands of street parties are also expected to be held in the UK and across the Commonwealth to mark the event.

The government said each local authority could decide whether or not to put the funding towards one large public screening site or a number or smaller screening venues.

Details of  activities taking place alongside the public screenings will be announced by each local authority in due course, including Oldham and Manchester, with some screening sites also able to show the Coronation Concert.

Other confirmed locations include Cardiff Castle, Belfast City Hall, the Piece Hall in Halifax and Jubilee Square in Brighton.

The Department for Culture and Media says it has made more than £1 million available for the screens, with local authorities receiving funding.