It would be an understatement to say 2022 has been a turbulent year. On the back of 2020 and 2021, it might make the cautious among us a bit anxious about the new year. However, there’s plenty to be hopeful about in 2023.
Read more: 10 new year resolutions that could boost your financial wellbeing
As the musician, Willie Nelson, once aptly said: “Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results”.
So, this holiday season, box away your worries, focus on the positives, and consider adding some of these exciting upcoming events across entertainment, sports, and culture to your 2023 itinerary.
1. The coronation of King Charles III — the UK’s first in 70 years
Whether you’re a republican or a royalist, it was a shock to the system when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed away earlier this year.
As a consequence, her son and heir, Charles, ascended to the throne and became King Charles III. Just as with his mother’s coronation in 1953, it can take some time to organise the festivities around a royal coronation. But on 8 May 2023, Charles will officially be crowned king of the United Kingdom, the commonwealth, and all its territories.
While royal pageantry appeals to some and not others, it is still likely to be an exciting occasion with plenty of fanfare, national pride, and historical significance as the UK sees a monarch’s coronation for the first time in 70 years.
There is also the benefit of an extra national holiday being added to the 2023 calendar.
2. The 2023 Rugby World Cup
For sports fans, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will be followed up by the 2023 Rugby Union World Cup in France.
England came close to winning the tournament in 2019 when they lost to South Africa in the final in Japan.
Next year, three British sides (England, Scotland, and Wales), and the Irish national team, will represent our local hopes on the international stage.
Taking place across September and October, the event might be a great way to follow up your summer activities and potentially see a British side come home with the trophy.
3. The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool
The 67th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest was originally supposed to be hosted by the country of last year’s winners — the Kalush Orchestra of Ukraine – but due to the ongoing war in the region it was relocated to the UK for the 2023 event.
After a bidding process across multiple UK cities, Liverpool was eventually chosen to host the festivities between 9 and 13 May 2023.
Expect there to be plenty of: over the top, Eurocentric, dance routines; catchy pop ballads; and obscure eastern European acts to fall in love with and support.
Sadly, the 2023 edition won’t see Graham Norton undertake hosting duties, but you can probably still expect his witty quips commenting over the deliciously cheesy affair.
4. Chinese New Year and the Year of the Rabbit
Chinese New Year takes place on 22 January next year and brings about the Year of the Rabbit as part of the traditional Chinese zodiac cycle.
There is likely to be plenty of activity across the UK’s many Asian communities and vibrant Chinatown areas. Expect plenty of great food, gift giving, lion dances, and fireworks.
If you’re looking for something to brighten up the end of January on the back of the post-Christmas lull, it might be worth taking a trip to the nearest Chinatown to you and enjoying a hearty Chinese meal with the family.
5. The 2023 music festival season
The British summertime schedule is packed with a plethora of wonderful music festivals that take place across the country.
Catering to all kinds of tastes and genres, and with many featuring global names as headline acts, it can be a great way to soak up the summer weather while enjoying some of your favourite singers and bands.
Festivals such as Glastonbury, Isle of Wight, Reading, Leeds, and Download only make up a small portion of the choices available across the country.
6. Long-anticipated cinema releases
Cinemas might not be around for much longer if global trends continue and more and more people switch their focus to streaming services. So, a long overdue trip to your local silver screen for one of 2023’s big releases could be the perfect addition to your plans.
2023 sees the release of Christopher Nolan’s latest epic, Oppenheimer, which focuses on the titular scientist and his work on the Manhattan Project that led to the creation of the nuclear weapons used in the second world war.
It has a stellar cast of Hollywood A-listers including Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jnr, Rami Malek, Florence Pugh, Emily Blunt, and Matt Damon.
For those hoping for a lighter offering, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie sees Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling drape themselves in every possible shade of pink as they bring the iconic children’s doll to the big screen.
Another option could be the return of a screen legend and iconic character in the fifth film in the Indiana Jones saga – Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny – which sees Harrison Ford’s whip-snapping archaeologist take on Nazis against the backdrop of the space race.
Whatever you decide to pursue with your 2023 plans, enjoy the moment, bask in the positivity, and don’t let life cause you too much worry.
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