St George's Day
In the same way as St Patrick's Day celebrates the patron saint of Ireland, St George's Day celebrates the Patron Saint of England although it hasn't been since the 18th century that the day was marked with any real merrymaking when a grand feast on par with Christmas would take place.
In very recent years however, the day has seen somewhat of a revival and there are now huge calls for the day to become a public bank holiday. So, If you're going to celebrate St Georges Day then London is the place to be!
Covent Garden is a good general location to head for. Live folk music, Morris Dancers, and traditional Punch and Judy shows are what you can expect and a theme of traditional English entertainment.
Trafalgar Square: On St George's Day 2007 Trafalgar Square saw cast and crew from Monty Python's stage production "Spamalot" lead an attempt to break the world record for the largest number of people playing in a Coconut Orchestra. The attempt was a complete success and the previously record of 1,785 people held by New York was smashed as 5,567 participants clippety-clopped their way into the record books. 2008 has a lot to live up to!
The Globe Theatre: With a pen mightier than any dragon-slaying sword, William Shakespeare tops the bill when it comes to historic English figures and so it is quite fitting that St George's Day is also the day on which Shakespeare was born and died. Recent years have seen a huge festivities at the Globe Theatre and in 2008 the day officially marks the beginning of their theatre season and the opening of King Lear.
If you're planning a day out to Windsor castle at any point during your stay in London then make this the day to do it. St George's Day at Windsor castle has a guaranteed royal attendance as the annual "Order of the Garter" service celebrates the oldest surviving knighthood in the world. Weather permitting you'll have a great day out.
