British traditional holidays

There are many kinds of celebrations in Britain - from royal to religious

and from traditional to more modern. This great country has been
around for almost 1,000 years and has had influences before that, all
helping to make rich and vibrant celebrations that many enjoy every
year.
New Year's Day - January 1
The night before New Year's Day, many British citizens watch as the
clock tower's (incorrectly known as "Big Ben" - which is actually the
name of the bell within the tower) minute hand finally reaches
midnight. At this time, Big Ben rings in the new year. Many people
celebrate by either having parties at home, or by going out and
partying with friends. Many people also make new years resolutions (as
is customary in many other countries in the world). In Scotland, a
common tradition is to sing 'Auld Lang Syne' at midnight to bring in the
new year.
Hogmanay (December 31 - January 2)
In Scotland, the term used for the New Year's celebration is
"Hogmanay," and it can last up until January 2 (which is usually
considered a bank holiday). In some parts of England and in Scotland,
it is considered good luck if a man is the first person to enter a friend's
home on New Year's Day, and bad luck if a woman is the first. This is
known as "First Footing," and the friend that enters usually gives a
small ceremonial gift.
Twelfth Night and Epiphany - January 5 - 6
It is considered bad luck to have Christmas celebration up past the day
of Epiphany, so many people used January 5 (Twelfth Night) to take
them down. Some people host parties and serve Twelfth Night cakes
which have had one dried pea and one dried bean baked into them. If
you are the one of the lucky party-goers who receive one of the other
in their slice of cake, you will be crowned "king" or "queen" of the
evening.

Epiphany is a Christian holiday which celebrates the coming of the

Magi after the birth of Christ. Some people attend a church service on
this day.
Burns' Night - January 25
Burns' Night is celebrated in honor of the Scottish poet Robert Burns
(1759-1796). He is best known for writing the song, "Auld Lang Syne."
Many Scots will celebrate the evening by eating haggis and reading the
poet's works.
Tu B'Shevat (varies)
Tu B'Shevat is a Jewish holiday that is held on the 15th day of Shevat (a
month of the Jewish calendar). On this day, Jews celebrate trees and
plants by eating fresh fruit (whatever is in season) and/or planting a
tree. While it isn't a public holiday in Britain, some Jewish businesses
may close.
Candlemas Day - February 2
This day marks the middle of the winter season - from the shortest day
of the year to the Spring Equinox. This day also celebrates the
cleansing of Mary.
Valentine's Day - February 14
This day is celebrated with the giving of gifts, as well as writing verses
of love in newspapers and magazines for your special someone. Many
couples will spend the evening celebrating with a special meal.
Occasionally, children will send valentines to one another in
celebration.
Purim (varies)
Purim is a Jewish holiday that is celebrated on the 14th day of Adar (a
month of the Jewish calendar). This is the traditional day where Queen
Esther saved the Jews from the decree of death in Babylon). Many
gather together to read the story of the queen.
St. David's Day (Wales) - March 1
St. David's day is to celebrate the man, Dewi Sant, who spread
Christianity throughout Wales. Many will attend church services held in

his honor.
St. Patrick's Day - March 17
While most of the UK doesn't celebrate St. Patrick's Day (though there
is a parade and festival in London), it is a very important religious
holiday in Northern Ireland, set aside to remember the life and death of
Saint Patrick, who was a missionary to Ireland.
Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) - Day Before Lent - March/April
Many celebrate this day by eating pancakes, as the contain many
ingredients that are inappropriate for lent (a Christian tradition of going
without luxuries). Some communities also hold "pancake races" in
which people run a distance while flipping pancakes in a frying pan. In
order to win, a person must cross the finish line without burning
breakfast.
Lent - March/April
The first day of lent is 40 days before Easter. Many people give up
something they enjoy during lent.
Mothering Sunday - 4th Sunday of Lent - March/April
Mothering Sunday is a day where children generally honor their
mothers by giving them a gift and a card, then take their mother out to
a special brunch or lunch.
Maundy Thursday - Thursday Before Easter - March/April
Maundy Thursday is a day to celebrate Jesus's last supper before his
crucifixion and many people attend a church service on this day. The
Church of England has a tradition of giving out ceremonial "Maundy
Money" (or the "Queen's Maundy Money," or "Royal Maundy Money") to
senior citizens. Two small pouches are given out. The red one contains
a traditional sum for clothing and other necessities, while the white
one contains coins representative of the reigning monarch's age.
Easter - March/April
Many people go to church on this sunday to celebrate the resurrection
of Christ. This day is also celebrated by the giving of eggs, decorating
eggs and Easter egg hunts, where eggs are hidden for children (and

playful adults) to find.

April Fool's Day - April 1
Much like other countries with this holiday, it is a day where it is
socially acceptable for people to play practical jokes on each other.
St. George's Day (England's National Day) - April 23
Celebrating with parades, some people celebrate St. George who is
said to have defeated a dragon. The day is celebrated with parades
and parties and flags with "St. George's Cross" are flown.
May Day - May 1
This day is celebrated beautifully with may poles and flowers. It is
traditionally a celebration of spring and fertility.
Trooping the Colours - Sometime in June
Trooping the Colours is celebrated every year with the British Army and
the regiments of the Commonwealth performing a ceremony that
originated in the seventeenth century AD. The queen and a series of
troops perform a procession also known as the "Queen's Birthday
Parade."
Wimbledon Tennis Tournament - Sometime in June
People attend the Wimbledon Tennis Tournament, which is considered
the most prestigious of tennis championships.
Swan Upping - Third Week of July
Many celebrate this day by going to the River Thames and watching a
procession of swans and traditional boats.
Notting Hill Carnival - Last Monday in August
On this day, there is a street festival that millions go to see and
participate in every year. The parade include colorful floats, bands and
many other attractions.
Harvest Festival - On or Near the Sunday of the Harvest Moon
A day to celebrate the growth of crops on the land.

Halloween - October 31
A day where people dress up, bob for apples and have bonfires. Many
attend themed parties and children will occasionally go trick-or-treating
(though this traditions was started elsewhere, despite halloween
having British orig
Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes Day) - November 5
This day is in celebration of the failed gunpowder attempt to blow up
the house of Parliament in 1605. It is celebrated with fireworks at
night. Many families will make effigies of Guy Fawkes and burn them in
a bon fire either in their own back yards or with other members of the
community.
Remembrance Day - November 11
This day recognizes the end of WWI. Many people wear a poppy in their
pocket in remembrance.
St. Andrew's Day - November 30
This is the celebrated national day of Scotland. Many Scots celebrate
with special dances and festivals and the Scottish flag is flown
throughout the country. A legend states that if women anxious to be
married peel and orange at midnight (on the 29th to the 30th), they
will find the first letter of their future husband's name.
Advent - December 1-24
On the first 24 days of December, Advent celebrates the coming of
Jesus.
Eid Milad ul-Nabi (varies)
Eid Milad ul-Nabi falls on either the 12th or 17th day of Rabi' al-awwal
(an Islamic month of their calendar). On this day, Muslims celebrate
the birth of their prophet Muhammad. Many use the day to remember
the prophet and reflect on stories about his life. Some will even fast
during the day. While it isn't a public holiday in the United Kingdom,
some Muslims will close.
Christmas - December 25
This day is celebrated by friends and family by giving gifts and going to

a special Sunday service at church. Many celebrate the tradition of

"Father Christmas" by giving gifts that he delivered during the night.
Many families also share in a Christmas feast that may involve ham,
minced pies and Yorkshire pudding! At the beginning of the meal, each
member of the family will cross arms and together pull Christmas
poppers that will produce paper hats worn through the meal as well as
other trinkets and jokes
Boxing Day - December 26
Traditionally, this is the day that servants were able to celebrate
Christmas, as they were serving their masters the day before. I more
recent times, people shop the "day after Christmas" sales!