St George’s Day 2025 has been changed from its usual April 23 slot – and the rumour mill is in overdrive. Some say it’s out of respect for the Pope’s recent passing. Others reckon it’s political. But the truth? It’s got nothing to do with the Vatican – and everything to do with a centuries-old church rule most people have never heard of.
Here’s why England’s most patriotic day is turning up late this year – and why the blame game has everyone pointing fingers in the wrong direction. It’s the most English of days – a time for waving flags, tucking into roast dinners, and toasting the dragon-slayer himself. But in a surprise twist fit for a medieval legend, St George’s Day 2025 won’t be celebrated on its usual date of April 23.
So when is it happening then? This year, the Church of England has moved the feast day to Monday, April 28 – five days later than usual. The decision comes down to strict church rules that many flag-wavers might not know about. According to the liturgical calendar, no saint’s day can be celebrated in the week before or after Easter, to avoid overshadowing the most sacred event in the Christian calendar. And because Easter Sunday fell on April 20 this year, the week before and the week after are officially blocked out.
So, in ecclesiastical lingo, St George’s Day has been “transferred” to the Monday after the second Sunday of Easter – which this year lands on April 28. Not exactly slaying any dragons with that excitement, but rules are rules.
The date change comes just as patriotism is back in the political spotlight. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently weighed in on the symbolism of England’s flag, saying the country faces a “never-ending fight for our flag and what it represents.” Speaking during a community visit in South Yorkshire earlier this month, he added: ‘We should be proud of our national identity – proud of what England stands for. But too often, that pride gets hijacked or hidden away.’ His comments struck a chord with many who feel that St George’s Day doesn’t get the same fanfare as other national days, like St Patrick’s in Ireland or Bastille Day in France.
In case anyone needs a refresher, St George was a Roman soldier-turned-Christian martyr who, according to legend, slayed a dragon to save a princess. He’s been England’s patron saint since the 14th century, despite the fact he likely never set foot on British soil. The England red cross on a white background – the flag of St George – became the national emblem of England and was later incorporated into the Union Jack. While it’s not an official public holiday, many use the date to celebrate English culture, heritage, and – let’s be honest – enjoy a pint or two down the pub, especially if it’s a sunny day.
So what happens now? If you were planning to mark April 23 with a patriotic knees-up, you might want to put it on ice – or better yet, move it to April 28, which is now the official Church of England date for the 2025 celebrations. Expect schools, churches and community groups that usually mark the occasion to shift their events accordingly. But that doesn’t stop individuals from keeping the tradition alive and honouring the day in their own way on the original date.
St George’s Day 2025 – Key facts at a glance:
- Original date: April 23
- New official date this year: Monday, April 28
- Why the change? It clashes with the Easter period – and saint’s days can’t fall in the week before or after Easter.
- Church rule: The day is “transferred to the Monday after the second Sunday of Easter.”
- Historical note: St George is England’s patron saint, despite being a Roman soldier who likely never came to England.
So mark your calendars, grab your flags, and raise a glass – just a few days later than usual.
The fantastic day is usually celebrated on April 23, but according to unique church rule, the day will move this year. Thousands of people have woken up this morning waving their St George's flags, however, you might be surprised to find out that you have actually got the date wrong.
St George's Day is typically celebrated on April 23 of each year, however, if you are one of many to celebrate the day today, then you are actually five days too early. Councils, community groups, charity organisations and neighbourhoods come together to celebrate the life of Saint George, the patron saint of England. However, the shock shift in feast date this year is due to church rules dictating that any saint's day that falls on a Holy or Easter week is instead moved to the following week, typically to the first Monday.
This means that St George's Day has been transferred from today to Monday, April 28. The change in date comes after Downing Street held a reception yesterday evening to commemorate England's patron saint day.
A note issued by the Church of England states: "When St George's Day or St Mark's Day falls between Palm Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter inclusive it is transferred to the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter. If both fall in this period, St George's Day is transferred to the Monday and St Mark's Day to the Tuesday." The last time the move occurred was in 2019, when the date was transferred again to the following Monday.
So, that begs the question, will you be celebrating St George's Day today - or will you be celebrating it on April 28 instead? Either way, make sure to fly your flags proudly.
Downing Street scheduled a St George’s Day reception on Tuesday evening, April 22, 2025. The Church of England has moved St George’s Day from Wednesday, April 23, 2025, to next Monday, April 28, 2025. According to tradition, saints’ days are not celebrated in the week before or after Easter. As Easter Sunday can fall on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25 depending on the phases of the moon, this means that it can clash with St George’s Day.
London’s official St George’s Day celebration was held on Monday April 21, 2025. The Church of England confirmed the date change, noting that it aims to maintain an age-old tradition. The last time the date was moved was in 2019, which caused confusion among politicians and the public alike.
As the celebration approaches, many are left wondering how to navigate this year’s unique circumstances. Will the traditional festivities go on as planned, or will they adapt to the new date? Regardless, the spirit of St George will undoubtedly live on as communities come together to honor their patron saint.
