St George’s Day 2025 saw a significant increase in celebrations and events across England, as the movement to make April 23rd an official bank holiday gains momentum.
From Saturday 19 April to Sunday 27 April, communities across England held record numbers of parades, festivals, family fun days, and cultural events, demonstrating a renewed sense of pride in England’s patron saint and a growing desire for a national holiday that celebrates English heritage and unity.
At the forefront of this movement is St George’s Holiday, a campaign group advocating for St George’s Day to be recognized as a statutory bank holiday. The surge in events this year has strengthened calls for government action and reflects the overwhelming support for the initiative among the public.
“The number of people wanting to celebrate what it means to be English grows every year,” said Graham Smith, Chairman of St George’s Holiday. “This year’s 35% increase in St George’s Day events proves that the appetite is stronger than ever. England deserves a national day, just like our friends in Scotland and Ireland. It’s time for St George’s Day to be an official bank holiday.”
Graham continued:
“One of our main goals is to have 500 St George’s Day events across England. This would mean, on average, there would be a St George’s Day event within a six-mile radius of every person in the country. We believe this would bring communities together and make St George’s Day a celebration for all.”
The ingenuity and creativity of local organizers have made this year’s festivities truly remarkable. From St George mushroom picking walks in the countryside to classic wheelbarrow races on village greens, communities have put their own spin on tradition.
Virtual fun runs have also brought people together across distances, while amateur radio enthusiasts staged a special field day to connect with fellow celebrants nationwide. People of all ages have joined in, making dragons out of egg boxes and turning recycled materials into symbols of national pride and fun.
Some highlights of the campaign include:
– A 30% increase in the number of official and community-organized St George’s Day events, with 114 taking place from 19-27 April 2025 compared to 83 in the same period last year.
– Nationwide participation, with celebrations taking place in London, Manchester, Newcastle, and other cities across England.
– Growing popularity, as estimated by ChatGPT, with the total number of followers for the leading St. George’s Day Facebook Pages exceeding 750,000 people.
Supporters are now urging the UK government to listen to the people and designate April 23rd as a new public holiday in England, ensuring it is celebrated as proudly as St Andrew’s Day in Scotland, St David’s Day in Wales, and St Patrick’s Day in Ireland.
To learn more about the campaign, interviews, or to join, please visit www.stgeorgesholiday.com.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.