Saint George’s Day 2025

Cohesion Plus, in partnership with Dartford Borough Council, Kent Equality Cohesion Council, and with the support of Arts Council England, brought the communities of Gravesham and Dartford together for a joyful celebration of Saint George’s Day on April 23rd.

The annual festivities, now a much-anticipated tradition in the local calendar, highlighted the story and legacy of Saint George, England’s patron saint, through a day of inclusive and creative celebrations designed to reflect modern, multicultural England.

The day began in Gravesend Town Centre at 9.45am and concluded at 11.30am, before the celebrations moved to Dartford, running from 12.45pm to 2.30pm. At the heart of both events were vibrant schools parades, which saw 24 local schools take part.

In the lead-up to the day, pupils participated in creative arts workshops led by Same Sky, producing Saint George-themed shields, dragons, and banners featuring messages of friendship, unity, and community. These artworks were proudly displayed during the parades, bringing colour and joy to the town centres.

Alongside the parades, crowds were treated to an eclectic mix of entertainment, from traditional and contemporary brass bands to a fire-breathing dragon and an appearance from Saint George himself.

Speaking about the event, Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL, Artistic Director of Cohesion Plus and producer of the celebrations, said:

“These events are about more than just tradition—they’re about celebrating who we are today. Saint George’s Day gives us a platform to bring people of all backgrounds together, to champion unity and pride in our communities, and to showcase the vibrant, diverse England we live in. It’s a joy to see young people lead the way in sharing these positive messages.”

The events provided a fun and educational opportunity for residents to come together and explore the cultural significance of Saint George, while promoting a spirit of inclusion and shared identity

A representative from Dartford Borough Council commented, “It was another fantastic St George’s Day parade for Dartford. We love organising this event which sees hundreds of primary school children parade through the town centre every year to celebrate our nation’s patron saint. The buzz and excitement is always incredible.  A huge thank you to all the schools and pupils who took part, along with all of the organisers. We hope everyone enjoyed the day as much as we did.”