The St Wilfrid’s Procession – dating back to 1108 when King Henry I granted the City of Ripon a charter to hold a fayre and feast in honour of St Wilfrid, the founder of Ripon Cathedral and patron saint of the city – will take place this weekend.
Ripon Cathedral sets the stage for St Wilfrid
Traditionally held on the first Saturday in August, the St Wilfrid’s Procession is one of the UK’s oldest annual events and over the years has grown from a modest horse-led pilgrimage into a vibrant, family-friendly parade.
Today, visitors enjoy brightly decorated lorries, marching bands, traditional dancers, and mobile live theatre performances. And at the front of the procession will be St Wilfrid himself riding a horse through the city’s streets.
The event celebrates Ripon’s rich history while showcasing local artistry, music, and community spirit.
At the end of the procession, Ripon Cathedral will host a special service, to celebrate that community spirit before presenting the awards for the best floats.
And for the first time, there will be a special horn-blowing ceremony involving all four of Ripon’s hornblowers at 9pm.
St Wilfrid’s Committee Chairman Antony Prince says this year’s event will be the 918th St Wilfrid’s Procession and this year, organisers are hoping to make the most of the fact the event falls on Yorkshire Day.
The St Wilfrid’s Procession takes place this Saturday in Ripon, with free entertainment in the Market Square from around midday and the procession expected to arrive at approximately 1.30pm. The service in the cathedral is from 4pm.
