Holidays and Festivals in Britain

Cut off from mainland Europe, it was only natural that Britain develop a rather insular culture which is marked by its many distinct holidays and festivals or at least special ways of celebrating them. Unlike many continental countries, statutory holidays in Britain are no longer connected with religious festivals with the only exception of Easter and Christmas. If you are keen to know more the occasions that the British set aside for merrymaking, here is a brief account of the country’s holidays and festivals.

New Years Day

After the partying and merrymaking of the previous night, people observe New Year’s Day as a relaxing holiday and spend it with family and close friends. On the whole it is a time for looking forward and hoping for a good year ahead.

Twelfth Night

Celebrated on January 5, the night before Epiphany, it is tradition to take down your Christmas tree to avoid having bad luck.

Burns Night

Mainly celebrated by Scots, Burns Night is observed on January 25 in honor of Robert Burns, the most famous poet of Scotland. At supper, people propose a toast to the immortal memory of Burns and eat haggis, a famous Scottish dish made of minced meat, onion and spices.

Valentine’s Day

On February 14, people send cards, flowers and chocolates to their partners while some may prefer to send messages anonymously to their secret loves. Couples may go out for a candlelit dinner this evening or spend it in any other romantic way.

Shrove Tuesday

This is the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Christian period of Lent, leading up to Easter. Whereas most continental countries celebrate this day with the extravagance of Carnivals, in Britain this day is observed on a quieter note, by making and  eating pancakes since the dish contain many ingredients like eggs that are customarily avoided during the austerities of Lent.

Maundy Thursday

This day is remembered as the day Jesus had his last supper and in Britain one of the oldest traditions associated with it involves the Queen dispensing “Maundy money” to the poor and deserving in a church service.

Easter Sunday

Along with Christmas, Easter is the only religious festival in Britain that is observed as a statutory holiday. The religious marks the occasion by going to church which holds special services to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. Families also exchange small presents while children receive chocolate Easter eggs.

St. George's Day

The 23rd of April is celebrated in some places as St. George’s Day in memory of the saint who is said to have defeated a dragon. Incidentally St George is also the patron saint of England even though large-scale observance of England’s National Day is limited except in some places where parades are taken out as well as in Stratford-upon-Avon, where it co-incides with Shakespeare’s birthday.

May Day

In some places, the first day of the month of May is observed as Labor Day. More commonly though in rural areas, this day is celebrated beautifully with May poles and flowers in a pagan throwback to the welcoming of spring and in anticipation of summer months of warmth, plenty and procreation.

Swan Upping

On the third Week of July, many celebrate this day by going to the River Thames and watching a procession of swans and traditional boats. This is in keeping with outdoor and local festivals which make the most of warm summer days before the autumn chill sets in.

Battle of Britain Sunday

On the third Sunday in September, services are held in most towns of Britain to commemorate one of the most significant events of the Second World War, when the Royal Air Force successfully beat back a sustained aerial attack by Hitler-led Germany.

Notting Hill Carnival

Every year, on the Bank Holiday weekend and extending to the last Monday in August, Notting Hill area of London comes alive with a spectacular Carnival led by members of the British Afro-Caribbean community. For two days, there is a riot of music, dance, costume parties that millions go to see and participate in every year. In fact the Notting Hill Carnival is believed to be the second largest street festival in the world.

All Hallows’ Eve

Long before the popularizing of Hallowe’en in the American media, children in Britain have celebrated the day as All Hallows’ Eve on October 31 with parties involving witches, ghosts, bats, magic and carved pumpkins which are popularly known as jack o’lanterns. In recent times though the American custom of kids going to houses in the neighbourhood for ‘Trick or Treat’ has become popular in Britain as well. Other than kids, on this day, adults too dress up in Halloween costumes, bob for apples and have bonfires.

Guy Fawkes Night

On November 5th, people in Britain mark the failed gunpowder attempt to blow up the house of Parliament in 1605 when the King was due to open the parliamentary session. The plot was supposed to be executed by a man named Guy Fawkes but was eventually foiled. Since then, the day is celebrated by lighting bonfires on which a “guy” – an effigy of Guy Fawkes  - is burned and fireworks set off at night.

Remembrance Sunday

This day recognizes the end of the First World War which was brought to a close with the signing of the agreement on November 11 and which has since been celebrated as Armistice Day. Nowadays though it is observed as Remembrance Sunday on the Sunday closest to that date with the holding of special services in churches as well as ceremonies at the Cenotaph in London and at war memorials throughout the land. Many people still wear a poppy in their pocket in remembrance of all those who lost their lives in the Great War.

St. Andrew’s Day

This day is named after the patron saint of Scotland and is celebrated on November 30 with a public holiday there.

Christmas Eve

The eve of the birth of Jesus Christ is the most popular religious holiday in Britain. On the night of December 24th, before they go to bed children hang up stockings in the hope that Father Christmas or Santa Claus would come and fill them with presents during the night. The Christmas tree is put up and families exchange presents. Many attend midnight mass at Church or a special service on Christmas Day.

New Year’s Eve

The whole year of festivals and holidays is brought to a fever pitch at New Year’s Eve. There is hectic partying and merrymaking. On the stroke of midnight, people wish each other, raise a toast to the New Year and join hands to sing Auld Lang Syne. In Scotland New Years’ Eve is celebrated as Hogmanay and includes spectacular display of fireworks, especially in Edinburgh.