Shakespeare Day
Shakespeare Day in United Kingdom, for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020.
| United Kingdom | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| Shakespeare Day | Monday 23th April | Wednesday 23th April | Thursday 23th April |
Shakespeare Day Draws Nigh
Shakespeare Day is a celebration of William Shakespeare, England's most popular dramatist and poet. The day coincides with the UN's World Book and Copyright Day, a fitting tribute to great writers everywhere.
Shakespeare Day - an Observance Like no Other
Hear ye, hear ye, one and all! 'Tis Shakespeare Day, this April 23. Yes, a full 24 hours-worth of appreciation and commemoration of the most popular playwright of all times.
And how could we not celebrate the man that gave us such witty phrases as: 'Love is blind', 'Good Riddance', 'Own Flesh and Blood' and 'Green-Eyed Monster'? How could we deny the creator of such pearls of wisdom as 'This above all: to thine own self be true' and 'I say there is no darkness but ignorance' his due tribute?
The Origins of Shakespeare Day
'The Bard of Avon' and England's national poet, William Shakespeare is one of the greatest personalities of the 16th century. While his exact date of birth is unknown, Shakespeare is believed to have been born in 1564, sometime before 26 April, when he was baptised. As the playwright died on 23 April 1616, it is on this day that the artist who helped shaped modern English is usually celebrated.
Much as the Royal Shakespeare Company has tried to have Shakespeare Day recognized as a bank holiday in the UK, Shakespeare Day remains an observance day. Still, for 'Taming of the Shrew', 'Midsummer Night's Dream', 'Hamlet', 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'King Lear' fans worldwide, Shakespeare Day is not your run-of-the-mill dawn-to-dark.
Celebrate Shakespeare Day in Style
If you've made up your mind to celebrate the Bard's day, you're not alone. You may not know this, but Shakespeare's Birthplace in Henley Street has been open to visitors for over two and a half centuries. If you can make it on April 23, odds are you'll have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sign the museum guestbook, just as Charles Dickens and John Keats did before you.
For those lucky enough to be in London on the day, don't miss the chance to see a Shakespearean play at the Globe Theatre on the Bankside, off Millennium Bridge.
The Stratford-upon-Avon birthday procession takes place on the Saturday closest to Shakespeare's birthday. It finishes with an offering of flowers to Shakespeare's grave at Holy Trinity Church.
If you'd rather celebrate Shakespeare Day at home with an Elizabethan sherry in one hand and a quill pen in the other, don't forget to take a few minutes off to check out the Talk Like Shakespeare project. Use the rules of Shakespeare speech to write your own love poem and woe your sweetheart with a serenade. It's Shakespeare Day - she's bound to be waiting at the balcony.