St. George's Festival

Bring along the family and join in this 3-day celebration of England’s day.

Enjoy a snapshot of English culture - past and present – including dancing, music, stalls, activities, performances and guided tours.

Beginning with the unveiling of the Leicester Walk of Fame, enjoy an afternoon and evening of traditional performances, dance, music, poetry, tours and much more. Explore a wealth of history and heritage within St. George’s Heritage Area including Halford Street, Orton Square, Curve and the LCB Depot. A great day out for the whole family!

All events are free unless otherwise stated.

Refreshments will be available throughout the day at Curve café, LCB Depot café plus various other bars, restaurants and cafes in the St. George’s area.

Other planned celebrations include events at Leicester Market on Friday 23rd April and the annual St. George's Parade on Sunday 25th April.  Further information can be found at St. George's Day Celebrations.

Family Day Programme
 
Orton Square Stage

12.30pm: Walk of Fame Launch

Join us and celebrity guests to officially launch Leicester’s Walk of Fame and touring exhibition inside Curve. Set in the heart of the Cultural Quarter, the Walk of Fame celebrates people - past and present - who have made a significant contribution to our city. Then take some time to visit the walk and exhibition, which provides the perfect opportunity to discover things you never knew about these remarkable people of Leicester.

1.00pm: Event Launch

With Town Cryer and Dignitaries.

1.15pm - 1.45pm: Live Music

Opening the main stage will be performances from artists playing at venues in the Cultural Quarter throughout the day.

1.45pm – 2.00pm & 3.30pm - 3.45pm:

Performance Poetry with Word! & Leicester Libraries

Leicester Libraries have teamed up with Word! to bring four newly commissioned pieces of work to the stage based on famous English writers and their work.
 
2.00pm - 2.20pm & 3.00pm – 3.30pm: Maypole Dancing Sessions

A fun opportunity for families to ‘have a go’ and join in with traditional maypole dancing.

2.30pm - 3.00pm: Live Music

Traditional music and song.

3.45pm - 4.00pm: Jerusalem Jammers

The Ladies Garland Dance Team performing traditional St. George’s Day dances.

4.00pm: Bang On The Wall – English Dance Finale

Orton Square will come alive with traditional English music for this fun-filled finale.  Take part in the dance with easy to follow steps led by an expert dance caller.

Orton Square & Halford Street

Meet historical characters including St George, Knights, Maidens and Tim Bat Prince of Fools - the most courtly jester elegantly attired in Tudor style. Watch him perform a unique combination of dexterity and wit mixed with hilarious histories of traditional trickery and juggling!

See if you can spot the giant GENII Dragon roaming the streets of Leicester during the afternoon. Carrying two knights on his back, he is very shy and almost completely tame!

Enjoy the Organ Grinder Music Show featuring a selection of Pelham puppets that dance when the music stops.

Visit the popular Bookbus for story telling sessions.

1.30pm & 3.00pm: Talk & Tour

Explore and discover the St. George’s Cultural Quarter area through art and architecture. Take a closer look at some of the ‘state of the art’ buildings, treasures and histories revealed through the area’s new art. Includes an audio trail, floorscapes, children’s trail & activity sheet. First come first served basis as places are limited. For more information visit www.leicester.gov.uk/cqart*
 
Halford Street Square

1.00pm - 4.00pm: Bill Brookman Productions: St George & the Dragon - A Mummers’ Play

A traditional play in which St George battles against the Dragon to win the princess, accompanied by clog and garland dancing and traditional music.  Plus children’s activities including ‘Decorate the Dragon’ and ‘Have a Go’ Circus Skills.
 
LCB Depot

1.30pm – 4.00pm: Hosted by Leicester Libraries

Meet up with literature organisations from Leicester, find out about performing at Word! or Shortfuse and obtain information about writing courses from Leicester Writing School and DMU’s Creative Writing Department.

Chat to members of Leicester Writers’ Club, Leicester Poetry Society and The Asian Writer plus find out how you can become a citizen journalist with Citizen’s Eye. Includes information and short readings taking place throughout the afternoon.

2.00pm - 3.30pm: Performance Skills Workshop

Discover the basics of getting yourself heard at the open mic and how you can improve your literary performance skills – why not bring a piece of work with you! For further information or to book a place, telephone 0116 299 5426 or email bookdoctor@leicester.gov.uk

Curve

1.30pm: Children’s Theatre Show THIS IS A THAT Peut-etre Theatre Company

A magnificent, magical, musical journey about a father and daughter who let their imaginations run away with them. Part of our Little Curve series, children over four will love this! Tickets: £4.00

1.30pm - 2.45pm: Children’s Arts Café

Join Mat and Stacie and make a range of dragon themed crafts, a 3D dragon sculpture or a peg dolly puppet.

1.30pm & 2.45pm: Shakespeare Character

Brief costumed story telling of a popular Shakespeare play.

2.30pm & 7.45pm: The Ethics of Progress Unlimited Theatre

The internationally acclaimed Unlimited Theatre return to Curve with a piece which pushes theoretical physics into real life situations and imagines the world as it might be in the not-too-distant future. Tickets: £9.00 - £15.00

7.30pm: Flamenco Express

Featuring some of the best flamenco performers, this is a dazzling combination of authentic music and dance. Tickets £9.00 - £16.00

T: 0116 242 3595

For more information visit www.curveonline.co.uk*
 
Music & Arts

St George's Beer Festival

The Criterion

Real Ales from England's finest brewers.

Live music Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

Music & Arts
Independent Arts Centre

Arts activities from 12pm - 6pm & Music 7.30pm – Midnight.

The Quarter Afternoon Live Music

2.00pm – 5.00pm

The Quarter

Featuring Yellowbelly playing superb harmony pop and The Gadjos with their lively gypsy jazz, upstairs at The Quarter.

5.00pm

The Ale Wagon Pub

Why not end the day with a refreshing beverage at the Ale Wagon’s English Beer Festival with an acoustic music session.