Saint George is the patron saint of England in a tradition established in the Tudor period, based in the saint's popularity during the times of the Crusades and the Hundred Years' War.
Veneration of the saint in folk religion declined in the 18th century. Attempts to revive the celebration of Saint George's Day (23 April) as an expression of English culture and identity date from the foundation of Royal Society of St. George in 1894.
Since the beginning of the 2010s, such efforts have resulted in St George's Day celebrations with aspects of a national holiday in England.
Religious observance of St George's Day changes when it is too close to Easter. According to the Church of England's calendar, when St George's Day falls between Palm Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter inclusive, it is moved to the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter. In 2011, for example, 23 April was Holy Saturday, so St George's Day was moved to Monday 2 May, and in 2014 it was celebrated on Monday 28 April. The Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales has a similar practice.
A traditional custom on St George's day is to wear a red rose in one's lapel, though this is no longer widely practised.
St. George's Day Parade. One of the best ways to celebrate St. George's Day is to watch the parade, which is held in central London, starting from Trafalgar Square, and ending at the historic Guildhall. It features marching bands, traditional English dancers, and even knights in armour. St George is also the patron saint of Scouts.
Date: Sunday 21 April 2024
Time: 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Venue: Trafalgar Square, Westminster, London, WC2N 5DN, GB Cost: FREE.
