
This is the proramme of Coronation Events in Glastonbury. The leaflet is available from the Glastonbury Information Centre and in many high street shops or can be downloaded from the link below.
Saturday, 29th April – Stones for Avalon
Fund-raiser for The Mayor’s Charity ‘The Glastonbury People’s Trust’. Glastonbury Town Hall from 11am until 11pm. Including Beltane Bazaar, Visionary Art, funky clothes, painted screens, Tyrannosaurus Rex, and more…
1pm – Rarnian Rhymes in the Bardic Realm.
3pm – Première of the award winning ‘Modern Day Warriors’ documentary film by Anna Donfrancesco (suggested donation £5).
7pm – Evening ticket only concert £10 featuring ‘A Bolan Boogie’ by the ‘Avalon Stoners’ (scratch band of Avalonian proportions), Bath’s ‘Barton Street Ir-regulators’ folk bandit band, and the legendary ‘Funkadoomic Sarcophagus Band’.
Sunday, 30th April – Glastonbury Dragons May Fayre and Procession
The May Fayre in Glastonbury Abbey Abbot’s Kitchen Field from 10am to 5pm (entrance through the double gates on Magdalene Street – opposite the church, and not the main Abbey entrance). The Glastonbury Dragons will process up the High Street to the Tor Fair Field at 1:30pm to hold a May Eve ceremony in the circle of Blossom Trees.
Monday, 1st May – Beltane
The ancient Celtic pagan fertility rite welcoming Summer. Beltane Fire ceremony at 7am at the Chalice Well. Bards and music at the Market Cross from 10am including the Avalonian Free State Choir. The Green Men will accompany the Maypole and the new May King and Queen in procession up the High Street around midday to a blessing at the White Spring, followed by the ceremonial raising of the Maypole at Bushey Combe with dancing and more music.
Wednesday, 3rd May – Beating of the Bounds
A special Coronation revival of the ancient custom of walking the course of parish boundaries. We will follow the traditional Glastonbury Parish map or a route last walked for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012. People are welcome to walk the whole route or may decide to walk sections of the route. Map and details available from Glastonbury Information Centre.
From 11am-6pm. Meet at Herbies Field (BA6 9LE).
Bring a packed lunch and drinks.
Thursday, 4th May – Convent and the Crown
Royal Visits to Glastonbury up to 1539. Glastonbury has often been important to royalty and has benefited from their patronage. A free talk and tour by Rev. Dr. Mark Hutchinson looking at examples of the links between the Abbey and Crown. Glastonbury Abbey 10:30am to noon (usual Abbey admittance applies).
Saturday, 6th May – Coronation Day
Published by The Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers ‘The Cry for Coronation Day’ of King Charles III will be proclaimed by our Town Crier, David Greenway, on Magdalene Street, the High Street and outside the Town Hall at various times between 9am-11:15am.
Sunday, 7th May – Civic Church Service and Big Lunch
Service of celebration at St John’s Church at 11am. Followed by the Coronation Big Lunch on the High Street. Neighbours and communities across the United Kingdom are invited to share food and fun together in a nationwide act of celebration and friendship. Bring a packed lunch and, or food to share. This has been kindly supported by the Radstock Co-operative Society.
Monday, 8th May – Coronation Extravaganza in Glastonbury Abbey
Free entry Open Day 10am to 6pm including a commemoration of Dunstan’s crowning of Edgar, who was later buried here, as King of England in 973CE, in a ceremony that served as the template for all subsequent coronations of our monarchs. Children and adults are encouraged to dress up for a Royal ‘May Kings and Queens’ Pageant or any other costume reflecting Glastonbury’s historical past – Celt, Roman, Saxon, Norman, Tudor, Victorian, Druid, or Monk and have your photo taken on the Glastonbury Throne!
At the request of King Charles III, volunteer organisations will be celebrated. Glastonbury is honoured that our ‘Citizen of the Year’, ‘Glastonbury’s Exemplary Volunteer Award’, and ‘Glastonbury’s Volunteering Long Service Award’ will be presented by Lord Lieutenant of Somerset.
Market stalls, food and music including Glastonbury Brass.
Coronation Programme 2023