Celebrations and festivals are special moments to bring family members, friends, and neighbors together. Over the course of its long history, a diverse array of rich and vibrant special occasions has developed in the UK, many of which are still enjoyed by modern-day residents each year.
From street parties and cultural festivals to religious occasions and national events, British cultural life provides a myriad of activities that appeal to dwellers before visitors.
Christmas Season
Christmas is for sure a powerful event to reunite families and friends, warm up hearts and remind Christians that they have so many things to be thankful for. There are three special nights during Christmas.
Christmas Eve is probably one of the best nights of the year. In fact, it is a religious feast celebrated on 24th of December. Most of the Christians devote their time to prayers and church attendance.
On the night of Christmas Eve, children around the world leave food and a drink for whoever comes to their house and brings them gifts.
Christmas Day is a public holiday in many, but not all, western countries. Many homes have Christmas trees and other decorations in the weeks leading to Christmas Day.
Festive activities include exchanging presents, singing Christmas songs, going to parties. It’s a special time when children get presents from family, friends and Santa Claus, or Father Christmas.
The Boxing Day is the day after Christmas Day, 26th of December. It is celebrated as a public holiday in UK and many other western countries except America. The day suggests that it has to do with the sport of boxing, but it is not concerned with boxing in any way. It is a night to unbox gifts and presents. Families usually go with their kids to pantomimes.
Easter & Lent
Easter is the annual celebration of Christ’s resurrection to life after His crucifixion and death. The day is also called Resurrection Sunday. It can fall on any Sunday between March 22ndand April 25th.
Easter is an important holiday for many families and communities, mainly for kids who get to enjoy decorating Easter eggs, visiting Easter Bunny or creating Easter Baskets to promote generosity among children.
Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, is the traditional feast day before the start of Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter. On Shrove Tuesday, Anglo-Saxon Christians went to confession and were “shriven” from their sins. Bells would be rung to call people to confession.
Yet, there are many events and occasions that are not religious. During summer months, festivals are held to mark special events or commemorate the deeds of famous figures. Some festive activities include artistic shows and cultural nights like Burn’s Night in Scotland.