A Big Lunch can be anything from a small gathering in a garden or park to a larger party with trestle tables down the middle of your street. The idea is that by starting simple, and bringing people together to share friendship, food and fun with a Big Lunch, all sorts of ideas and projects can follow. It can lead to people doing more within their community and together tackling the issues that matter to them most.
Organising a Big Lunch doesn't need to involve lots of money, time, or people power: it can be as big or as small as you like, planned or last minute. However you're thinking of joining in, here are some tips to help you get started:
1) Pick a date
This year, the Coronation Big Lunch will bring millions together over the weekend 6-8 May, but you can also hold your Big Lunch anytime in June, throughout the Month of Community.
If lunchtime doesn’t suit, put up the fairy lights and host a Lunar Lunch in the evening - it's a great way to include shift workers and night owls.
2) Check the logistic requirements for larger events with Wiltshire Council
If you're planning to celebrate the Coronation with your friends, family, and community, we want to ensure you have all the information you need to make it as simple as possible for you to arrange. You will find a host of useful information and guidance on this page to help you.
3) Put your event or activity on Wiltshire Together
See our ‘support campaign tab’ on how to do this. This gives you the opportunity to locally promote, advertise and celebrate your event.
4) Invite your neighbours
Use the invitations and posters in your free pack to invite the neighbours and spread the word. Got a local WhatsApp or Facebook group? Use these digital resources to publicise your event and if you're not a member of Nextdoor yet, take a minute to sign up so you can connect with locals that way too. Chat to people when you're out and about too, we bet you'll find people who'll want to help with the organising!
5) Tickle the tastebuds
You could ask everyone to bring something to share, odd numbers bring savoury, evens sweet, or keep it simple and ask people to bring their own lunch. If you have the time, take a look at some easy recipes shared by our ambassadors and Big Lunchers. And check out our Top Tips for a Safe Big Lunch too.
6) Enjoy the day!
- Here are some great ideas for street party games for all ages and abilities. Try to make sure that your entertainment, games and activities are suitable and safe for all.
- Set a time for lunch — so that everyone comes out at the right moment
- Organise some music - you could see what local talent there is and organise a local live performance or sing along! Unsure about licencing? Click here
- Worried about the weather? Here's our guide to battling the elements on Big Lunch day
Don't forget to take plenty of photos and, most importantly, have fun!
7) Fundraise at your Big Lunch
Lots of people use their Big Lunch to raise awareness or funds for a cause close to their heart, be it for their own community group or a local asset such as a children's play area, or for a bigger, national charity. In 2022 a whopping £22 million pounds was raised at Big Lunch and Big Jubilee Lunch events across the UK, and the majority of that was for local charities and causes.
If you are looking for funding for your event, National Lottery Awards For All available to support events and activities as is the WCF Community grants? (Need to check )
8) After the party
Once the bunting is down, don’t forget to share your story, using #TheBigLunch #CoronationBigLunch on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and please tag #wiltshiretogether and #wessexcommunityaction
Continue to post your events, activities, and volunteering opportunities on Wiltshire Together. You can post and link any volunteer opportunities on Wiltshire Together and link it to this campaign page.
Need more inspiration?
Make sure you’ve signed up for your free Big Lunch or Coronation Big Lunch Pack
You can also read some Big Lunch and community stories
Learn about the impact that The Big Lunch has in communities and check out this video about last year’s big lunch too!