Much Ado for Shakespeare's birthday
 Shakespeare himself in the 2004 procession
|  | Thousands of people arrive in Stratford at the end of April every year for the strange and wonderful celebrations of Shakespeare's Birthday.
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 | | Shakespeare's Birthday celebration events take place on the weekend closest to his birthday on April 23rd, which also happens to be St George's Day.
 While the special day is also St George's Day we're very focused on Shakespeare.
 | Ìý | Nick Walsh, Chairman of the birthday celebrations
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The Bard was born way back in 1564, making him well into his 400s by now!
The celebrations in his home town of Stratford are the highlight of the year.
They always include traditional dancing, a marathon, street entertainment, the ceremony of the unfurling of the flags and many special birthday events, Stratford-style!
Below is a listing of annual events that take place during the Birthday weekend.
Follow this link to see the wonderful pictures and to read about the 2004 Shakespeare Celebrations.
Procession
| Ìý |  | The weekend always attracts happy crowds
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Saturday is the day for the formal procession, past the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and through the town.
Ceremony of unfurling flags
This first full day of the celebrations is also when the ceremony of unfurling flags takes place.
The unfurling of the banners for the works in the Shakespeare canon takes place in Bridge Street, Henley Street, High Street and Union Street.
Entertainment
| Ìý |  | Costumed lady in the procession
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Free street entertainment is usually provided throughout the weekend, with folk dancing, circus performers, musicians and more.
Evening entertainment
Traditionally, there is evening entertainment on both the Friday and Saturday nights of the weekend, usually with a ball, concerts and a special performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Shakespeare Service
Every year, the Sunday of the Birthday weekend sees a Shakespeare Service in Holy Trinity Church.
Shakespeare Marathon
For the energetic, Sunday also hosts the Shakespeare Marathon and half marathon.
See pictures from the 2004 marathon here.
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