Key information
Date: Sunday 19 April 2026
Time: 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Venue: Trafalgar Square, Westminster, London, WC2N 5DN, GB
Cost: Free
About this event
Join us for a free, family‑friendly festival celebrating English culture on Sunday 19 April, from 12–6pm in Trafalgar Square. Hosted by the Mayor of London, this vibrant event brings together live music, dance, workshops, crafts and street food, with something for everyone to enjoy.
This year’s main stage brings a lively all‑day programme of music, performance and dance, hosted by the much‑loved comedian, actress and singer Jess Robinson. Audiences can enjoy a vibrant mix of acts, from the talented Foreign Shadows band and poet Zita Holbourne with her inspiring spoken word, to Circo Rum Ba Ba’s fun and energetic acrobatic show Bicycle Bistro. There will also be musical performances from West End Kids and a true English sing‑along led by Tom Carradine. Plus, melodic performances from Vincent Burke, electronic pop from Emzae, and to round off the day, an explosive burst of funky jazz from Fat Brass to lift you off your feet.
Families can dive into a wide range of hands‑on activities, from colourful crafts in the Family Zone hosted by Arty Pants to walkabout performances featuring St George and the Dragon. Children and grown‑ups can make bunting, design Pearly‑inspired fridge magnets, enjoy face painting, meet the iconic Pearly Kings and Queens, ride the swingboats or relax in the giant deckchair while soaking up the atmosphere.
Food lovers won’t want to miss the Cookery Theatre, where MasterChef winner Harry Maguire presents live cooking demonstrations celebrating the best of English seasonal produce. Watch as he prepares fresh fish, vegetarian and dessert dishes using outstanding local ingredients. If you’re lucky you might get to sample some.
It’s a day not to be missed!
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St George's Day - BSL video
BSL Video Transcript
Easy Read St George's Day
About St George
St George's Day is traditionally celebrated on 23 April each year, and is recognised as England’s national day on the anniversary of his death in 303 AD.
Admired for his bravery, the patron saint of England has captivated British imaginations since the Crusades and the Hundred Years' War.
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A series of short interviews on what St George’s Day means to Londoners
Programme
Get ready to celebrate St George’s Day with an exciting main stage programme packed with music and dance for all the family! Hosted by Jess Robinson.
- Foreign Shadows
- Zita Holbourne
- Bicycle Bistro - Circo Rum Ba Ba
- Vincent Burke
- West End Kids
- Emzae
- Bicycle Bistro - Circo Rum Ba Ba
- Tom Carradine
- Fat Brass
Make Your Own Bunting
Have fun making colourful bunting using red and white fabrics, ribbons and recycled materials. Cut, decorate and design your own garland to take home.
Pearly‑Inspired Fridge Magnets
Be a Pearly King or Queen for the day!
Make your own shiny fridge magnet using a jam jar lid, air‑dry clay and recycled buttons, pom‑poms and decorations. A fun activity inspired by a famous London tradition.
Join the England and Wales Cricket Board, on bringing the excitement of cricket to the heart of the event. Visitors of all ages are invited to have a go with fun, accessible cricket activities designed to introduce the game and build confidence, whether you’re picking up a bat for the first time or brushing up your skills. Friendly coaches will be on hand to offer tips and encouragement, making this a welcoming, hands‑on experience that celebrates one of England’s most loved sports.
Step into a one‑of‑a‑kind Crazy Golf experience that’s anything but ordinary, featuring a fully portable course where every hole has its own bold, quirky theme. From retro toy props like Trolls and Tonka trucks to sculpted crashing waves, recycled tyre loop‑the‑loops and a towering illuminated alien, this is mini golf designed to dazzle.
Discover one of London’s most iconic traditions with the Pearly Kings and Queens, who will be joining the event for a special opportunity to meet them in person. Learn more about who they are and the incredible charitable work they do through a dedicated exhibition, exploring the history, stories and traditions behind their distinctive pearly suits. Throughout the day, visitors can also join in with joyful sing‑along sessions, bringing people of all ages together to celebrate community, heritage and the spirit of London in true Pearly style.
Join MasterChef winner Harry Maguire for live cooking demonstrations celebrating the very best of English food.
Watch Harry prepare two seasonal dishes — one fish and one vegetarian — offering something for everyone to enjoy. Using outstanding English ingredients at their peak, the demonstration highlights wild sea bass from sustainable English fisheries, vibrant spring wild garlic, and classic Jersey Royal potatoes.
Designed to be quick, accessible and full of flavour, the demo showcases essential cooking techniques including fish filleting and simple, restaurant‑quality preparation. Guests will also have the chance to sample the finished dishes, making this a true celebration of seasonal, local produce.
- 1pm – Fish course demonstration
- 2pm – Dessert course demonstration
- 3pm – Fish course demonstration
- 4pm – Dessert course demonstration
- 5pm – Fish course demonstration
Other activities on the square will also include:
- St George and the Dragon walkabout performances
- Giant Deckchair
- Swingboats
- Face painting
Traders and Community Stalls:
- RSPB
- Agata Rawecka-Deelen
Tuck into some tasty food delights, including:
- The Duck Shed
- Baked Bird
- OHMYDOG
- Cheeky Burger
- Crepe Salut
- Seawise
Enjoy a nice cold beer or treat yourself to a Pimm’s or Gin from Cask London Bus Bar.
Feedback survey
Once you’ve spent your time at the event, let us know what you think by completing our short survey below. The results of this research will help us understand in more detail your experience of the event. We value all feedback, using it to inform future event development.
The research is being carried out by DJS Research Unlimited, an independent research company. The survey should take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
Plan your visit
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We will do our best to make sure you feel welcome and enjoy our event. Our event staff and volunteers are here to help with any questions you might have.
When you arrive, our stewards and Team London volunteers will greet you. Our Team London volunteers will be wearing purple high-visibility jackets and are ready to answer any questions. There will also be clear signs to help guide you around the event. Please note, we will conduct a bag search at the entrance for everyone attending.
The event has a level access entrance, and it is wheelchair accessible. All paths are accessible for wheelchair users and there is a lift that connects the North Terrace to the Main Square. Stewards will be there to help you find your way. Assistance dogs are welcome too.
The festival can get busy. If being in crowds is difficult for you, you can use our accessible viewing area. It is located on the north terrace of Trafalgar Square. This area has hearing loop facilities for the performances on the main stage, and chairs are available for companions and anyone who needs to sit. If you would like to reserve a seat at the viewing area, please email us at [email protected] with your name and an estimated time of arrival. We will ask you to meet one of our volunteers at the accessible viewing area, and they will support on the day.
All shows with speech on the main stage will have a British Sign Language interpreter. You can see this on the screen on the right side of the main stage.
The event may be loud at times due to music and performances. If you need ear defenders, you can ask for them at our information point or speak to a volunteer for help.
The event is relaxed. You can join or leave at any time and move around as you like. You do not need to be quiet.
In addition to toilets, we will also have Mobiloo accessible toilet at the event. This toilet has a hoist and a changing table. If you need to use the hoist, please bring your own sling for safety and convenience. You can find more information on Mobiloo’s website: www.mobiloo.org.uk.
If you need any help on the day with more information about the event, just ask one of our stewards or volunteers, and they will be happy to assist you.
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Trafalgar Square is easy to reach by public transport, including buses, the Tube, and national rail services.
Tube
The nearest Underground station with step-free access from platform to street level is Westminster Station, which is served by the Jubilee, District, and Circle lines. From Westminster Station, it’s about a 10-minute walk to Trafalgar Square.
Charing Cross Underground Station is the closest Tube station and is served by the Northern and Bakerloo lines. However, please note that this station does not have step-free access.
Bus
Bus routes that stop close to Trafalgar Square include:
Routes 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 15, 23, 87, 88, 91, 139, and 176, with most buses having wheelchair access.
For accessible travel options, including step-free routes and Dial-A-Ride services, you can visit the TfL (Transport for London) website for maps and to plan your journey: tfl.gov.uk.
National Rail
The nearest railway station is Charing Cross. It is 325 metres away, approximately 3 minutes’ walk. Charing Cross rail station offers step-free access and a step-free route to Trafalgar Square.
Accessible parking
The surrounding area on Trafalgar Square can get very busy on the day of the event, so we recommend you take public transport if you're visiting the event. If you’re unable to take public transport for accessibility reasons, accessible parking is available near Trafalgar Square.
There are Blue Badge parking spaces on St Martin’s Street, located next to the National Gallery. Please be aware that these spaces are around 250 metres from the National Gallery. There are three designated Blue Badge parking bays available here.
For more information on parking, you can contact the Westminster Parking Information Service on 020 7823 4567. The helpline is open Monday to Saturday, from 8am to 8pm. To find other blue badge parking bays nearby, you can find disabled Blue Badge bays on the City of Westminster’s website using the postcode WC2N 5DN.
Searching is a condition of entry to this event.
CCTV is operational in Trafalgar Square.
No bags larger than a standard A4 paper will be permitted, including shopping trolleys.
To help protect the safety and welfare of both visitors and staff, the following is a nonexclusive list of items that are prohibited from being brought into Trafalgar Square;
- All liquids
- Bladed items, including; pen knives, fixed bladed knives and scalpels
- Offensive weapons e.g. tasers, etc.
- Imitation or toy weapons, including toy hand grenades and guns
- Items that could be readily converted into weapons
- Component parts of weapons
- Flares or fireworks
- Party poppers and party canons
- Helium filled balloons
- Strobe lights, high intensity torches and lasers
- Hazardous materials e.g. CS gas, pepper spray, gas canisters, acids and alkalis
- Spray paints or cans of paint
- Powders that are not personal prescription medicines or for cosmetic purposes
- Illegal drugs
- Pointed Scissors / pointed tweezers
- Knitting Needles
- Syringes (unless required for personal medical use)
- Placards, banners flags and flag poles
- Mobile phone jamming devices
- Full facial Masks
- Items that could cause loud audible disruption e.g. whistles, megaphones, sirens, air horns, large radios / cd players
- Covert surveillance and recording equipment
- Climbing and abseiling equipment
- Tools e.g. pliers, screwdrivers, wire cutters, saws, etc.
- Animals, other than assistance dogs
- Bottles containing liquid, water refill points are available within the Square
- Glass items
- Any items considered to be suspicious or unacceptable by security staff for which the owner cannot provide a reasonable explanation for possessing.
Please also note that when full, we will operate a one in, one out policy.
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A message from the Mayor
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What Does It Mean To Be English? The Mayor's message on celebrating St George's Day