The UK is home to many popular festivals throughout the year and holidays and events in the UK that many people enjoy and you can get involved in.

January

• 25th January – Burns Night (Scotland)

February

• 14th February – Valentines Day
• Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day – This day falls the day before Lent, which begins 40 days before Easter
• Chinese New Year (Can Fall January or February and is celebrated across the UK)
• London Fashion Week

March

• St David’s Day (Wales)
• Mother’s Day (no set date)
• 17th March – St Patrick’s Day (Ireland)

March – April

• Easter – Celebrating Palm Sunday, Maundy Tuesday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday.

April

• 1st April – April Fool’s Day
• 23rd April – St George’s Day (England)

May

• VE Day

June

• 21st June – Father’s Day (or the closest Sunday)
• Queen’s Official Birthday
• Summer Solstice

June/July

• Wimbledon

July

• Eid Al-Fitr

August

• Eisteddfod (Wales)
• Edinburgh Fringe Festival
• Notting Hill Carnival

September

• London Fashion Week

October

• 31st October – Halloween

October/November

• Diwali

November

• Movember – A Monthly Charity Event
• 5th November – Bonfire Night
• 11th November – Remembrance Day
• 30th November Sta Andrew’s Day (Scotland)

November/December

• Hanukkah

December

• 25th December – Christmas Day
• 26th December – Boxing Day
• 31st December – New Years Eve

Celebrating Holidays and Events in the UK

The UK is home to many different cultures. Through this diversity, people can celebrate many different holidays and events with others around the country.

VE Day

Many traditional English celebrations are steeped in history, such as VE Day, which is celebrated in both the US and the UK as part of the Victory of Europe celebrations to commemorate the defeat of the Nazi war machine in World War II.

Notting Hill Carnival

Over the last Summer bank holiday weekend of the year, the Notting Hill Carnival takes place in the streets of Notting Hill in West London. It is Europe’s largest street festival, and admission is free. It is thought that around 1 million people turn out to see the colourful procession each year. Revellers can dance to salsa and reggae music and sample Caribbean cuisine from street stalls, amongst other highlights. 

The Notting Hill Carnival was started by Trinidadian human rights activist Claudia Jones as a gathering designed to unite the local Notting Hill community after racially motivated attacks on the West Indian residents.

Bonfire Night

In the United Kingdom, Bonfire Night is synonymous with Guy Fawkes’ unsuccessful attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament on November 5, 1605. It’s a bonfire, fireworks, and celebrations-themed annual affair. 

On various days, different cultures observe Bonfire Night. Guy Fawkes Night in the United Kingdom, which is also observed in several Commonwealth nations, is one of the most well-known examples. There are bonfires and fireworks shows all over the United Kingdom.

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is celebrated by Chinese communities worldwide (UK). People plan large-scale public and cultural celebrations. These celebrations could last up to two weeks.

Eisteddfod

Wales’ most prominent art and culture festival is the National Eisteddfod. You will listen to Welsh music, see dance and theatre performances, learn Welsh, and sample Welsh cuisine and crafts. The history of the Eisteddfod in Wales can be traced back to 1176 and held every year since except for 1914.