5 Ways to Celebrate Shakespeare's 450th Birthday

William Shakespeare is 450 years of age today and if you’re looking to celebrate the birthday of one who has achieved literary immortality, you might consider these options:

1. Observe a fancy-dress parade and a horse-drawn cake in Shakespeare’s birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon. Later, enjoy celebratory fireworks in the town, with Shakespeare’s famous visage lighting up the night sky in tribute to the Bard’s work and influence. 

2. Watch a Shakespeare production! The Globe Theatre’s outdoor season commences today, with a production of Hamlet that’ll soon be travelling all over the world. Get hold of a ticket for a performance at London’s Globe Theatre for just 450 pennies (usually £5). Call 0207 401 9919 to take advantage of the reduced price standing tickets, quoting ‘Birthday offer’.

3. Visit the V&A’s ‘Shakespeare: Greatest Living Playwright’ exhibition – The immersive installation will examine the enduring influence and popularity of the world’s most famous playwright, William Shakespeare.

4. ‘Cakespeare’ - Take part in the V&A’s cake themed competition to celebrate the bard’s 450^th. Participants are encouraged to design, bake and decorate their own cake* celebrating the life and works of William Shakespeare. Enter by uploading an image of your cake to social media channels, using the hashtag #cakespeare.

*You may want to display your creation in this gorgeous hand painted cake stand.

 5. Watch popular interpretations of Shakespeare’s plays; 10 Things I Hate About you, Baz Luhrman’s Romeo & Juliet, The Lion King, Warm Bodies, She’s the Man.

Have we missed any? Tell us in the comment section below...