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Across England, Brits are celebrating St George's Day 2026. Back in the 15th century, St George's Day was a national celebration of equal importance with Christmas.

But the Government this week ruled out making the occasion a Bank Holiday, telling the Express the cost of a one-off extra Bank Holiday, such as the one created for the King's Coronation in 2023, would be around £2Bn for the UK. So what do you think? Vote in our poll below and join the debate in the comments section.

Today, the day is the English equivalent of St Patrick's Day over in Ireland, St David's Day in Wales, or St Andrew's Day in Scotland, and each year services are held in churches for St George's Day, and events are usually held in Trafalgar Square (which this year were held on April 19).

The day, which honours Saint George, is usually fixed on April 23 but can be moved if it falls during Holy Week or Easter Week, according to rules set by the Church of England.

The number of St George's Day celebrations in England has increased by 46% this year, according to StGeorgesHoliday.com, with 161 events listed across the country.

Pubs mark the biggest driver of growth, accounting for 64 of the events - making it the biggest category of celebration. Festivals came in second with 31, followed by Morris dancing at 23.

In 2025, this meant it was pushed back to April 28, but no such clash occurs in 2026, so it remains unchanged, although further date shifts are expected in future years when Easter falls at a similar time.

Saint George is venerated across many countries, particularly in Europe and parts of the Middle East, and is recognised as a patron saint or important cultural figure in nations including Georgia, where he is especially revered, as well as Portugal, Bulgaria, Greece and Romania.

He is also celebrated in parts of Spain, particularly Catalonia, where the day is known as La Diada de Sant Jordi, and among some communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.