Band members playing for the Beating Retreat at the Birthday Celebrations, outside Shakespeare's BirthplaceAn actor in an open air performance of 'The Tempest', at Hall's CroftTwo costumed guides at a story telling eventVisitors enjoying the shade of a tree at the Great Gardens of New Place, prior to an open air theatre performanceA costumed guide demonstrates sheep shearing at Mary Arden's FarmThe fruit picking exhibition at Anne Hathaway's CottageClick on this logo to return to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust home page

For further information please contact:
01789 204016 or email
info@shakespeare.org.uk

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Website
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Website

The Shakespeare Birthday CelebrationsCelebrations and Festivals icon

Marking the 445th anniversary of the Bard's birth

The Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations leaflet coverWelcome to The Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations, a unique event that's been taking place in Stratford for over a century. This year everyone can look forward to a truly dazzling experience as 2009 sees the start of a three-year plan to develop the celebrations into a high profile, annual extravaganza ready for the World Shakespeare Festival in 2012.

The customary Town Procession, symbolising Shakespeare's journey from cradle to grave has been re-routed and features a host of exciting new displays and entertainments. Be prepared for a colourful collision of the traditional and contemporary, where brass bands march alongside belly dancers, Morris Dancers meet skateboarders and costumed Shakespearian actors mingle with circus performers! Stratford's streets will overflow with pageantry, music and theatre and you can be part of it! Why not take up the Shakespeare Birthday Party Challenge or become a Sonnet Sleuth?

And there's more! Over the birthday period you can enjoy a jam-packed programme of special celebratory activities - great days out at Shakespeare's historic houses, poetry, literary and music festivals and amazing theatre.

So whether you're a fan of Shakespeare's works or not, there promises to be something for everybody. Bring along your family, friends and foes - one and all can join in the fun and spectacle commemorating the birth of Stratford's famous literary genius!

Please click on the following link to download this year's brochure.

The Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations are sponsored by:

Co-hosted by Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council

For further information please contact the secretary of the Birthday Celebrations Committee on 01789 204016 or by emailing birthday@shakespeare.org.uk