Welcome to Gloucester Day –

Saturday 6 September 2025! 

The Cross Streets of Gloucester will come alive with stalls, stands, lively performances (on the stage on Southgate Street) and all the pomp and ceremony of the traditional Gloucester Day parade through the four main gated streets, led by the Mayor and Sheriff of Gloucester, in full Civic Regalia.

Gloucester Day traditionally marks the launch of the festival and raises morale in the City. The Gloucester Day event is the reinstatement of the original Gloucester Day – a day of celebration on the lifting of the siege of Gloucester – in 1643. This occasion was celebrated annually for centuries.

This year’s celebration will begin at 9.45am at Gloucester Cross, where local organisations, community groups and charities will all be hosting stalls.

The first parade, led by the Mock Mayor of Barton, starts at 11am and will process from Constitution Walk, through Queens Walk to Gloucester Cross, then to Westgate before heading to Northgate Street and on to Southgate Street.

There will be the traditional comic meeting between the Mock Mayor of Barton who this year will be Viva O’Flynn, secretary of the Gloucester Filipino Association and the Mayor of Gloucester, Councillor Ashley Bowkett.

A different person is chosen to play the mock mayor each year and its origins date back to King Charles II. The role is awarded to those who have done good work in the community.

The parade will then depart at 12 noon for a Thanksgiving Day service at St Mary De Crypt. At 2pm it will again make its way through the city led by the Mayor of Gloucester along with the Sheriff of Gloucester, Councillor Linda Castle, in full Civic Regalia.

At 4pm there will be a costumed 1643 civil war demonstration of Musketry at the Folk of Gloucester where the audience can expect to hear some big bangs. The Folk bar will also be open for refreshments.

Gloucester Day is organised by Gloucester town crier Alan Myatt and supported by Gloucester City Council, and Gloucester Civic Trust.

If you or your organisation would like to take part in Gloucester Day please contact