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Traditional Celebrations
DAYS TO CELEBRATE THROUGH THE YEAR
Celebrate Traditional British Holidays & Celebrations. A guide to traditional British holidays and celebrations throughout the year. Learn about age old customs and traditions. Celebrate with your friends and family as you mark the occasions.
January
TWELFTH NIGHT
Celebrated on the 5th of January
Recognised as the last day of the Christmas festive season. It is tradition to take down your Christmas tree and decorations to avoid bad luck in the year ahead.
Twelfth Cake has been made to mark the Twelfth night for hundreds of years. Click here to read the recipe from John Mollard, The Art of Cookery. (London 1803) here
February
CANDLEMAS
Celebrated on the 2nd February
Candlemas is the last festival in the Christian Christmas calendar. It is tradition (although not so popular these days) for people to have light candles in their windows on the night. Read more about Candlemas and it’s traditions here
VALENTINES DAY
Celebrated on the 14th February
Send the one you love a Valentines gift & card. See here for a selection of Gifts for her – and Gifts for him on our Pinterest boards. If you are looking for something sweet try some Demarquette Fine Chocolates
SHROVE TUESDAY – PANCAKE DAY
Celebrated on the 16th ‎February 2021
Everybody loves pancakes, and Shrove Tuesday is the perfect day to indulge. Make pancakes the traditional way with lemon and sugar or choose your own flavours and toppings. There are local celebrations and ‘Pancake Races’ held up and down the country.
March
ST. DAVID’S DAY
Celebrated on the 1st of March
Celebrating the patron Saint of Wales, St David, the celebration is marked with parades, the wearing leeks and feasts. Click here for a selection of delicious Welsh recipes for St Davids Day.
Read more on Leeks – a short history
ST. PATRICKS DAY
Celebrated on the 17th March
Celebrating the Patron Saint of Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is an Irish National festival celebrated around the world. Guinness, the Shamrock are popularly associated with the day, and don’t forget to wear green, so you don’t get pinched! . Click here for St Patricks day info and parade information
MOTHERING SUNDAY
Celebrated on the 14th March 2021
Mothers Days is celebrated on the 4th Sunday of Lent. Buy a great British made gift or British Flowers for your mother on Mothers Day.
April
EASTER SUNDAY
Celebrated on the 4th April
Take Part in an Easter egg hunt or make your own hot cross buns this year. Read more on the History of the Hot Cross Bun
ST GEORGES DAY
Celebrated on the 23rd April
Celebrating the Patron Saint of England – St George. St. George’s Day bunting Book a Morris Dancer
May
MAY DAY
Celebrated on the 3rd May 2021
May Day has been celebrated in England for centuries, and traditional celebrations include Morris dancing, maypole dancing and the crowning a May Queen.
September
HARVEST FESTIVAL
Celebrated on the Sunday nearest to Harvest Moon
On or Near the Sunday of the Harvest Moon
Harvest Home is a traditional English harvest festival celebrated since pagan times. This festival celebrates agriculture and rural heritage with events held throughout the country each year, including the RHS London Harvest Festival Show Traditionally Corn Dollies, woven straw figures are made at this time, click here for Corn Dolly Makers
October
Punky Night
Celebrated on the 29th October
Punky night is a local Somerset tradition where lanterns are made out of manglewurzel (or mangold) and villagers gather together for a procession with prizes given out for the best ‘punkies’. Legend has it that one night when the men of the village were so drunk they couldn’t get home. Their angry wives fashioned lanterns and went out in search of them.
November
BONFIRE NIGHT – GUY FAWKS
Celebrated on the 5th of November
One of the biggest occasions for fireworks in Britain is Guy Fawkes Night held each year in November.
Commemorated with fireworks and burning effigies of Guy Fawkes on the bonfire. Traditionally people eat Parkin Cake a sticky ginger cake made with black treacle and golden syrup that is traditionally eaten on Guy Fawkes Night.
Kimbolton Fireworks
ST ANDREWS DAY
Celebrated on the 30th November
Celebrating the Patron Saint of Scotland
December
CHRISTMAS DAY
Celebrated on the 25th December
Looking for British Christmas trees and Cards
Check out the Love Buying British Traditional Christmas Pinterest Board
BOXING DAY
Celebrated on the 26th December
Boxing Day is a traditional day of celebration during the Christmas holidays.
Discover
Discover lesser known and unusual traditions from local village folklore to centuries old tales .
Enjoy
Enjoy discovering traditional products and crafts associated with the different celebrations around the country.
Take Part
Explore British Culture by taking part in the many festivals and celebrations throughout the year.
Searching for British made products?
Find regionally made products by independent businesses offering a unique range of goods. Every part of the country has it’s own regional speciality and traditional crafts.