Biosphere Bee Coronation Picnic

The Isle of Man is proud to be the only entire nation awarded UNESCO Biosphere status. 

Being admitted to the United Nations’ World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016 brought recognition of the Island’s unique environment and community which makes it a special place to live, work and thrive.  

This year a special community picnic project aims to connect people with nature, promote local produce and enhance wellbeing and connectivity in our Biosphere. Families, friends and community groups are invited to get together and organise a special picnic – and if you’re looking for inspiration, why not hold one to celebrate the coronation of King Charles lll and the Queen Consort over the bank holiday weekend?  

The Biosphere Bee Community Picnic ties in with the The Big Lunch, a project to encourage people across the UK and Isle of Man to come together to enjoy good food and company on Sunday 7 May, the day after the coronation. It’s a wonderful opportunity for a picnic get-together to remember!  

The Biosphere team have put together a resource pack and ideas to help you hold a community picnic this spring and summer

Find out more on the Biosphere website - (external link)

Eden Project (Big Lunch)

Among plans for the weekend, you can be part of history and join millions across the UK and further afield holding a Coronation Big Lunch on Sunday, 7 May with their neighbours or communities. You can also join the fun in June, and plan your very own Big Lunch as part of the Month of Community. 

Get your coronation pack - (external link)

The Big Help Out

To mark His Majesty the King's coronation, organisations across the UK and here in the Isle of Man are getting together to give us all the opportunity to help out in our own local communities.  

Starting on Monday, 8 May there will be opportunities for everyone to join in. From checking in on someone who’d like a bit of company or volunteering for a charity, the more of us who join in, the bigger help we will be.  

It's a day to find out more about opportunities with charities and community groups in your area, with some putting on special ‘taster’ days for potential volunteers. Isle of Man organisations are getting on board as the excitement builds!   

The Big Help Out app is connecting volunteer opportunities with people who want to take them - so why not download the app and follow the simple guide to register an event or view what’s on near you?  

Help us to do something amazing. Join in. Lend a hand. Make a change.

Find out more on the Big Help Out website - (external link)

Lighting up the Nation

We will be lighting up the Legislative Buildings in Douglas over the coronation weekend and join the UK in ‘Lighting up the Nation’, where iconic locations across the Realms are lit up to celebrate this historic event.

Coronation Days Past in the Isle of Man

Manx National Heritage tells stories from the Island's historic newspapers

You can see and learn more about ‘Coronation Days in the Isle of Man’ through a digital collection on Manx National Heritage’s (MNH) iMuseum website, which includes a curation of re-told stories from Isle of Man Newspapers for the Coronations of Queen Victoria (Coronation 28 June 1838), Edward VII (Coronation 9 August 1902) and George V (Coronation 22 June 1911).  

Find out more about the digital collection

Visits of His Majesty King Charles III

Read more about His Majesty King Charles III, Lord of Mann's previous visits to the Isle of Man - (PDF)

Find out what else is happening near you