This is how you can throw memorable street party for this historic weekend 

King Charles’s Coronation is right around the corner – and it’s set to be a weekend full of pomp and pageantry.  

The Coronation begins at 11am on Saturday, with celebrations continuing throughout the whole weekend into the additional Bank Holiday Monday, created specially to mark the new reign.

Millions of people will celebrating with their family, friends and neighbours, many with street parties, which first became popular following the conclusion of the First World War.

Here, The Mail’s new Royals section asks the experts how to make the most of this very special weekend.

The Coronation Big Lunch takes place across the country on Sunday May 7. Pictured: Charles and Camilla attend the launch of the Big Lunch at the Oval cricket ground last year

A dog’s life: this corgi attendied a street party in Alfriston, East Sussex on June 5 2022 

Do you need to close your road for a street party? 

One of the first things to consider when deciding on where to hold your street party is whether or not to close your street.

Some local councils require permission to close off a road, which should be submitted as soon as possible.

The council might lend appropriate signs or cones, or they can be hired or bought.

Emergency services will need to have access to the street if necessary and if the party is taking place on a bus route, the bus company should also be informed of the closure.

Some councils contact transport providers and emergency services on your behalf, while others will expect you to do it. 

Street parties held on main roads, blue routes (those used by emergency services) or bus routes may struggle to get approved. Pictured: A street party on Sandgate Road, Bristol for the Diamond Jubilee 

You can check your councils regulations by visiting this page. 

Street parties held on main roads, blue routes (those used by emergency services) or bus routes may struggle to get approved.

If you are holding your street party or gathering on a quiet cul-de-sac, in a front garden or on a drive, however, as long as it is not obstructing a pavement you most likely will not need permission. 

Informal Street Mets, such as these could be used as an alternative if a council denies permission.

The government advice on their website for smaller street parties said: ‘For most small parties in quiet streets where you need to close a road, all your council needs to know is where and when the road closure will take place so they can plan around it.’ 

Other options include hosting a street party with neighbours in a nearby park. 

There are no deadlines in law to ask your council for a road closure, but the earlier the better. 

Do I need a licence to serve alcohol or have music?

A common myth around street parties is that you need to have a licence in order to provide alcohol or play music.

The Licensing Act 2003 does not require a music licence at a street party unless amplified music is one of the main purposes of the event.

If you plan to sell alcohol, however, you will need a Temporary Events Notice, which costs £21.

This covers events with fewer than 500 people in attendance – including the organisers. 

It is a common myth hat you need to have a licence in order to provide alcohol or play music. Pictured: A street party in Alfriston, East Sussex on June 5 2022 

How to organise a street party for the Big Lunch  

On Sunday 7 May, the Coronation Big Lunch is set to take place across the country.

The Big Lunch was set up in 2009 to bring communities together on the first weekend of June each year to help people get to know their neighbours better. This year it has been moved forward to coincide with the King’s Coronation. 

May 7 will be the most popular day to have a street party, with 7,000 different events being registered on the official Coronation website.

An estimated one million people are set to take part in events up and down the country, with the number expected to grow in the weeks and days leading up to the Coronation.

While May 7 is the official day to host a Big Lunch, they can be held at any day over the weekend and so the first step is to decide on a date with your neighbours.

Once a date is decided, you can send out the invitations, using posters, Facebook, WhatsApp or NextDoor. This will allow people to start preparing for the party, taking on different jobs to ease the load.

Get started on the decorations 

Bunting is a must have at any British street party – and it is really easy to make your own. If not there will be plenty readily available around the country.

There are also other, quirkier options that can make your table dazzle.

Lavinia Stewart-Brown, an event and wedding planner, said: ‘Hosting a street party is a great opportunity to get your local community together, enjoy the long weekend and also spend time with friends and family.

‘I would say preparation is key – if you are the main host, start looking at decorations now as the closer we get to the coronation, the more likely these will sell out.’

Food writer and chef Alexandra Dudley added: ‘There are some things that work really nice for street parties that double as decorations as well. Strawberries are one of them. 

‘A big bowl of strawberries looks fab on a table. Don’t bother cutting them or taking off the leaves – I would just wash them and put them in a big bowl, or lots of big bowls running down the table.

‘Those big tables can sometimes look a bit bare so I love the idea of putting plant pots on the table, little herb plans such as mint and basil that are cheap from Sainsbury’s and Tesco but bring colour to the table, and you can still use them later.

‘This is better than flowers because flowers will wilt if they are sat in the sun all day and will start looking a bit sad. With the plants pots as long as the soil is damp, they won’t.

‘Another thing is using jam jars for cutlery which I think is quite fun. It appears very British, and it is easier than setting the table.’

How to make bunting for the Coronation: 

Making bunting is a fun and easy way to make decorations to add to your street party. 

This is what you will need:

• Scissors
• Cardboard
• Pencils
• Ruler
• Hole punch
• Scrap materials
• Reusable adhesive or drawing pins
• Ribbons, string or tape
• Double sided tape, glue or a stapler 

First draw the outline of a triangle onto a piece of cardboard. The Eden Project Community, who organise the Big Lunch, suggest marking measurements of 16cm for the top edge and 22cm.

Next you attach your scrap pieces of paper to the cardboard using pins or adhesive such as Blu Tack, then carefully cut around the material so it matches your template.

Once all the flags are cut, space them out evenly along the string or tape before threading them, gluing or stapling them on. 

When the bunting is complete you can hang it up for all your neighbours to enjoy. 

Bunting is a must have at any British street party – and it’s really easy to make your own. 

Sort out some easy recipes to prepare 

Food does not need to be complicated for a street party. It is best to choose some simple recipes to prepare. 

One of the best things to do is ask everyone who is attending to bring a dish that can easily be shared, splitting between savory and sweet options.

British classics such as Scotch eggs, sausage rolls, scones, quiches and trifle are all great options.

Alexandra explained: ‘In terms of foody things, it’s fun to do a cake or bake sale style table, with everyone making different things.

‘Coronation chicken is also a winner, it’s something that tastes better the day after, so anything you can prep ahead is great and things that sit quite well.

To keep the children entertained, chef and food writer Alexandra Dudley said a cake decorating table is always a winner

Alexandra said bowls of strawberries on the tables are not only a great dessert options but work as a decorations 

Rain or shine it is set to be a great weekend to spend time with loved ones and those within your community

‘Avoid leafy salads at all costs because it’s just going to sit there and it’s not going to look nice or taste great and it’s probably quite expensive. Instead, I would go for something like a bean and pea medley, filled with peas, mint, new potatoes, to have something green on the table.

‘And bread. We all think about building a cheese board, but it is also quite fun to build a big bread station, with baguettes and different sourdoughs, things that are sliced, bread rolls. Especially if people are drinking, it’s quite useful to have.

‘It’s not really cooking but I am such a fan of OG snacks, Twiglets, Hula Hoops, and things like that, going a bit old school.’

To keep the children entertained, Alexandra said a cake decorating table is always a winner.

She said: ‘If you want to keep kids occupied you could do a cupcake icing station which could be chaotic but also quite sweet. 

‘Three different colours icing, sprinkles, have a corner of the table so you can keep an eye on them.’

Lavinia added: ‘With catering and food, I always recommend basing this on attendee numbers. If you are preparing your own catering, we always recommend being wise with how you present your food. 

‘Grazing tables are a great way to present a large quantity of food for lots of guests and you can still make the table look pretty and use nice dishes to present the food on. 

‘Incorporate a nice tablecloth with some flowers or candles intertwined around the food dishes which will make your guests feel welcome. Always be mindful of your attendee’s allergies.’

Enjoy the day!  

Rain or shine it is set to be a great weekend to spend time with loved ones and those within your community.