23 April is St George's Day, the day of England's patron saint (not to mention patron saint of Catalonia, Ethiopia and various other regions worldwide). Legend has it that he slayed a dragon, although let's face it, he didn't. Take a look at these St George's Day 2024 events in London.
St George's Day Festival 2024, Trafalgar Square
Known in previous years as the Feast of St George, there's a free St George's Day festival on Sunday 21 April, painting the town red (and white). The annual shindig brings live entertainment — both traditional and modern — to Trafalgar Square, including Morris dancing lesson and a chance to write your own sea shanty.
Singer Harleymoon Kemp hosts the main stage, where acts throughout the afternoon include Folk Dance Remixed, The Snottledogs, West End Kids, Twist and Pulse and She's Got Brass. There's also a beer, Pimm's and gin tent for the grown-ups, and face painting and a carousel for the kiddos.
St George's Day in Trafalgar Square, 21 April 2024. FREE to attend, no booking required. Note that it takes place the same day as the London Marathon, so central London is likely to be very busy.
St George's Day Street Party, The Wonder
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Food stalls, Morris men, a raffle, face painting, an outside bar and an ice cream van are part of the St George's Day celebrations at The Wonder pub in Enfield. The event raises money for the Nightingale Cancer Support Charity.
St George's Day party at The Wonder (Enfield), 20 April 2024, free entry.
Whitton's St George's Day Parade
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Whitton High Street in west London goes big for St George's Day, with a huge free parade and street market to celebrate the occasion. Over 1,000 people take part in the procession, which begins at midday and features marching bands, drummers, classic cars, military vehicles and community groups, all led by St George (probably not the real one), the town crier and the Mayor of Richmond upon Thames.
Elsewhere in the town are food and drink stalls, three entertainment stages, and plenty more hijinks.
Whitton St George's Day Parade, free, 21 April 2024.
St George's Day 2024 at Leadenhall Market
Join us at @TheLambTavern for #StGeorgesDay on Tuesday 23rd April and watch some traditional Morris dancing from the Ewell St Mary’s Morris Men 🏴
— Leadenhall Market (@LeadenhallMkt) April 12, 2024
Ewell St Mary’s Morris Men will be performing at 11am, and then again at 1pm.
Why not grab some lunch at… pic.twitter.com/Kkhq3sS5Am
As always, the resplendent Leadenhall Market in the City of London is throwing a shindig to celebrate. Ewell St Mary’s Morris Men give free performances at 11am and 1pm, hosted by the Lamb Tavern.
St George's Day at Leadenhall Market, 23 April.
St George's Day sea shanty party
Take yourself along to Hiver Taproom in the Bermondsey Arches for a lively (some might say raucous) evening of sea shanties. Though it's a regular event, this is a St George's special, with a live sea shanty band covering the classics, along with mass singalongs — all powered by Hiver beer, plus wine and spirits.
St George's Day sea shanties, 26 April 2024. £6 per person.
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