Top 5 Major Cultural and Entertainment Events Around the World in 2023

In 1973, after 15 years of construction, the Sydney Opera House (often referred to as the 'Sails') was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II. This $80 million architectural masterpiece, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and funded by proceeds from the Opera House Lottery, stands at Bennelong Point in Sydney, Australia.

Famous for its geometric sail-like design, the building houses several large auditoriums and hosts an average of 3,000 events each year, attracting approximately 2 million attendees. The first performance at the Opera House was an Australian version of Sergei Prokofiev's War and Peace, held at the 1,547-seat Opera Theatre. Today, the Opera House remains Sydney's most iconic landmark, known and admired worldwide.

As one of the world's most famous landmarks and Australia's top tourist destination, the Sydney Opera House opened on October 20, 1973. The year 2023 marks its 50th anniversary. This iconic structure, a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracts an estimated 8.2 million visitors annually.

This year promises to be an exciting one for global music tours. Lizzo, the rapper and flute-playing artist, will kick off her world tour in the UK on March 8 at OVO Hydro in Glasgow, concluding on March 16 at the O2 Arena in London.

Meanwhile, Taylor Swift’s much-anticipated ‘The Eras Tour’ in the United States has already generated unprecedented demand from fans. Since her last tour in 2017, Swift has released four new albums, including the critically acclaimed ‘Midnights’ in 2022, all of which have topped the Billboard Hot 100 in September 2022.

The exact dates for Swift’s 2023 tour are yet to be announced, but her concerts are expected to showcase the best songs from throughout her illustrious career.

Additionally, Beyoncé is preparing for her next tour, following the release of her disco-themed album ‘Renaissance.’ The Renaissance Tour is expected to be a major event and receive critical acclaim next summer.

On January 27, the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company, a leading media and entertainment giant, with a variety of exciting shows and new attractions.

While Disney parks worldwide joined in the centennial celebrations, the focus of the event was at Disneyland Resort in California, home to the iconic Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks.

Visitors were introduced to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, an animated adventure featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse, while two new nighttime spectaculars were unveiled: World of Color-ONE and Wondrous Journeys.

World of Color-ONE is Disneyland's first large-scale evening show bringing together characters, music, and moments from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, as well as the blockbuster franchises 'Avengers' and 'Star Wars.'

The Wondrous Journeys show celebrates a century of Disney animated films, accompanied by a brand-new song titled 'It’s Wondrous.'

This special anniversary also saw the opening of the new exhibit, Disney Gallery Presents: Disney 100 Years of Wonder, at Disneyland Park. Ken Potrock, President of Disneyland Resort, expressed his excitement about marking the centennial milestone in “the happiest place on Earth,” emphasizing the rare opportunity for fans and families worldwide to experience the magic of Disney’s beloved characters and stories throughout 2023.

Founded in October 1923, Walt Disney Company opened Disneyland, its first theme park, in 1955. Over the past 67 years, Disneyland has expanded to several countries and territories, including the U.S., France, Japan, China, and Hong Kong, attracting millions of international visitors each year.

The coronation of Charles III and his consort, Camilla, as King and Queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms, was scheduled for Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Westminster Abbey. King Charles III ascended the British throne after the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8, 2022.

Charles became the monarch of the UK and the 14 other Commonwealth realms immediately after Queen Elizabeth II’s death at 3:10 p.m. (BST) on September 8, 2022. He was officially proclaimed King by the Accession Council on September 10, 2022. The Commonwealth nations soon followed with declarations recognizing him as Head of State.

Due to the age of Queen Elizabeth II, plans for Charles III's coronation had been in place for several years under the codename Operation Golden Orb. During Elizabeth II's reign, meetings for the operation were held annually, involving government officials, representatives of the Church of England, and staff from Clarence House.

The coronation of King Charles III will be one of the most significant events of 2023 and one of the historic milestones of the century. This will be the first British royal coronation of the 21st century and the first since Queen Elizabeth II’s in 1953. Buckingham Palace announced that the service would be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the head of the Church of England. The coronation will maintain “core traditional elements” while reflecting “the spirit of the modern age.”

The coronation ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey in London, where the St. Edward’s Crown will be placed on King Charles III’s head by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

King Charles III will be anointed with holy oil, receive the orb, coronation ring, scepter, and be crowned with the St. Edward’s Crown during this historic event. Queen Camilla will also be anointed and crowned, following the tradition set by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother when she was crowned in 1937.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 marks the 67th edition of Europe's premier televised song competition. As tradition dictates, Ukraine, the winner of Eurovision 2022 with the song 'Stefania' by Kalush Orchestra, was initially set to host the event. However, due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, the UK, the runner-up of the 2022 competition, was chosen to host the contest on behalf of Ukraine. The event will take place at the Liverpool Arena in Liverpool, featuring two semi-finals on May 9 and May 11, with the grand final scheduled for May 13, 2023.

Eurovision host Graham Norton, representing the BBC, officially announced the details on October 7. UK Prime Minister Liz Truss expressed her support for the BBC's decision, highlighting Liverpool’s rich musical heritage and its promise to deliver an unforgettable show.