Thousands gather to celebrate Coronation weekend by the Biomes

Giant screens, big lunches and street parties have been held across Cornwall to mark the day

Harmony, Aurora and Carenza Heasman celebrating the Coronation
Author: Megan PricePublished 8th May 2023

Thousands gathered across the weekend to celebrate historic Coronation with giant screens, light displays and parades across Cornwall.

Visitors came together at the Eden Project, home of the Coronation Big Lunch, dressed in crowns and in red, white and blue - to mark the day of the historic Coronation ceremony of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen.

Other coronation screening events have been held in Newquay and St Ives - as well as a coronation parade and service in Truro on Sunday.

Peter Stewart, Eden's Chief Purpose Officer, said: "The Coronation weekend is a hugely significant event for the Eden Project and the nation, and we are honoured to have hosted it.”

Young Harry William Johnson celebrating the Coronation

Peter added: “As the home of The Big Lunch, we are immensely proud that Her Majesty The Queen has been patron of our annual event since 2013. Bringing people together to share such experiences is crucial to building stronger, more resilient communities, and we're proud to have done just that.

“The smallest of friendly interactions can have a profound impact on wellbeing, and together communities can make real positive change. Our Big Lunch organisers have raised over £70 million for good causes since 2015 and we hope coming together this weekend, over food and fun, will inspire people that together we can do wonderful things.”

On Sunday, Eden’s Biomes illuminated to "Light up the Nation" event, where 10 iconic landmarks across the UK put on a grand light display to coincide with the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle while being broadcast live to the nation.

The Biomes lit up in a choreographed display, while a drone lit up the sky above an audience of specially-invited local volunteers, including Big Lunch organisers.

On the final day of the bank holiday weekend, people across the country are invited to come together to celebrate the volunteering community for The Big Help Out.

The Eden Project is the home of The Big Lunch, an annual community celebration that brings together neighbours and communities nationwide in a show of community friendship every year since 2009.

You can find out more information about The Big Lunch and the events held across the Coronation weekend on their website.