Huge crowds gathered in the city centre today to watch as the ‘biggest and best’ St George’s Day parade passed through
The parade making its way through the city(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Huge crowds gathered in Manchester city centre to mark St George’s Day this afternoon, April 26. Whilst the day itself was on Thursday, April 23, the celebrations continued today with what has been hailed as the ‘biggest and best’ parade ever seen in the city.
Winston Churchill, Henry VIII and St George were amongst some of the characters marching in the parade earlier today, with bagpipes and Caribbean music sound-tracking the event.
Floats playing dance music and waving the St George’s cross could be seen travelling through the city, along with people paying homage to British veterans in old war vehicles, and dogs from Manchester Terriers sporting the cross as they made their way through the crowds.
Floats at the parade(Image: Manchester Evening News)
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Christ Church marching band from Ashton, Oldham Scottish Pipe Band and Dobcross Youth Band were amongst some of the local groups performing at the parade this year.
The St George’s Day parade in Manchester(Image: Gary Oakley/Manchester Evening News)
The parade kicked off at 12pm in Miles Platting before making its way into the city centre, through Piccadilly Gardens and Stevenson Square, before then returning to Varley Street at around 3pm.
Organised by the St George’s Day Committee with support from Manchester Council, the parade has been branded as the ‘biggest and best’ that the city has ever seen.
Bagpipes playing during the parade(Image: Gary Oakley/Manchester Evening News)
Paul Cooper, Chief Marshal of the parade, said: “I go at the front but I was all over. I really enjoy it. I make sure everybody’s okay. We had a few things go wrong, but if something doesn’t go wrong, it’s not done right.
“I’ve been doing this as chief marshal for 14 years, but I have been here since the first parade, 21 years ago. It’s just got bigger and better. The atmosphere today and everything was really, really great. Because it’s been 21 years as well, we’ve tried to push the boat out. It’s been a great atmosphere, everyone’s enjoyed themselves, and it’s been great weather as well.
“Some people were saying there was going to be trouble but there was no trouble, we didn’t have anything. Everybody who came out was lovely. The people in the town were telling me it was the best one ever.
“A lot of work gets put into it, but then we also get all the support from all the people. We’re just wrapping up now, making sure everybody’s alright, and then I think I’ll be going for a pint.
The St George’s Day parade making its way through the city centre on Sunday(Image: @Quorduroy 2025, Miça Quartey, all rights reserved.)
“I just want to say thank you very much to everybody at Manchester, and for the council supporting us every year, and everyone at Jigsaw, the housing trust, because they give us so much money as well.”
The celebration has been hailed by Cllr Bev Craig OBE, Leader of Manchester City Council, as a chance ‘to remind ourselves what it means to be part of the great city of Manchester’, whilst city centre spokesman, Councillor Pat Karney, added that the day ‘brings out the best in what our country has to offer’.
Manchester Terriers walking in the parade(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Held to honour the patron saint of England who, as legend has it, became renowned for slaying a dragon and saving a princess, the day is usually honoured with traditionally English fare, like pub parties, Sunday roasts, church services and even a bit of Morris dancing.
In addition to the parade, a new community fund supporting local groups will mean that a host of celebrations will also be taking place across Greater Manchester in the form of street parties, lunches and other events. Over 50 applications were made for the grants of up to £400 this year.