Celebrations to mark St George's Day are taking place across the country and will continue over the weekend.
Events were planned in many areas to honour England's patron saint, from Morris dancers in Loughborough to costumed stilt-walkers handing out silk flowers in Tameside.
In London, the English flag will be raised at City Hall ahead of live music in Trafalgar Square on Saturday.
Mayor Boris Johnson said: "As well as marking the extraordinary life of a Cappadocian merchant, Saint George's Day is an opportunity to celebrate our country's many achievements.
"Our small island, sitting at the confluence of European cultures, has a rich heritage whose influence on language, art, learning, and politics - to name but a few - has been felt right across the globe.
"As we raise the flag for our metaphorical dragon-slaying patron saint, we can be rightly proud of the ingenuity, creativity, and wit of our fellow countrymen and forebears who have made our country the place that it is."
Performers heading for Trafalgar Square on Saturday include guitarist Joe Brown and singers from the Players' Theatre who will reprise Victorian music hall songs such as "Let's all go down the Strand".
Chairman of the Local Government Association Group Dame Margaret Eaton said: "St George's Day provides people with an opportunity to come together in community spirit and enjoy themselves.
"Councils are pulling out the stops to provide a fun-packed weekend which should boost visitors to their town centres."
