Guy Fawkes Night
Guy Fawkes Night, also called Bonfire Night, is celebrated on November 5th in the UK. Guy Fawkes was a member of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Him and twelve others (led by Robert Catesby) were Catholics who wanted to kill the Protestant king of England, James I. They planted gunpowder…
St. Andrew’s Day
St. Andrew's Day is November 30th and is Scotland's national day. The day marks the feast day of Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland. In Scotland it is an official bank holiday and is celebrated with traditional Scottish music, food and dance. St. Andrew's Day is thought to have…
Australia Day
Australia Day is January 26th. Australia Day is a national holiday in Australia. It marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the British fleet at New South Wales, Australia. Although it was celebrated before. it did not become a national holiday until 1935. The day is controversial with Aborginal…
Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling
The Cheese Rolling is usually held as Spring turns to Summer (the exact date is different every year) The Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling is very simple: people start at the top of the hill and have to chase a round (circle) of Gloucester cheese to the bottom. The Cooper's Hill…
The Proms (The Promenade Concerts)
The Proms are a selection of classical music concerts held over 8 weeks in the summer. They are mostly held in the Royal Albert Hall, London, although there are a few other locations. 'Prom in the Park' - held in Hyde Park - has become a recent success The Proms…
Edinburgh Festival
The festival takes place throughout August, in Edinburgh (the capital city of Scotland) The Edinburgh Festival is the biggest arts festival in the world Actually, the real Edinburgh Festival is only one small part of what people call the 'Edinburgh Festival'. In truth, Edinburgh holds many festivals at the same…
Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury usually takes place towards the end of June Glastonbury is the UK's largest music festival It is held on a farm outside the village of Pilton, Somerset. It is an open-air festival, meaning the audience stand outside. The festival lasts for three days (Friday to Sunday), although sometimes it…
Comic Relief (‘Red Nose Day’)
Comic Relief is held every two years on a Friday in March Comic Relief is a charity event in the UK. Comic Relief is also called 'Red Nose Day' because people are asked to buy and wear red noses for charity. The idea of Comic Relief is for people all…
Hallowe’en
Hallowe'en is on the evening of October 31st. It is festival that celebrates ghosts, monsters, and the undead. This is because it was believed, a long time ago, that on this night souls and spirits from the other world could enter into this world. Good food was laid out for…
April Fools’ Day
April Fools' Day is on April 1st. It is not a national holiday, so people still have to go to work and school. Tradition states that on April 1st people can play practical jokes on each other. The idea is to show people up for being fools. The day is…