In the UK there are always special events occurring, for one reason or another. Some of these are on a yearly basis, and at the same time every year, and others vary.   Here you will find a bit of information about these event, and what they signify/how you can participate. Keep an eye out on www.visitlondon.com where all events are listed

January

1 st January - New Years Day

This is a Bank Holiday in the UK. In London there is a New Year's Day Parade, which starts at around noon, and goes through the streets of London, starting from Westminster. The website for the London parade is http://www.londonparade.co.uk .

1 st January - Hogmanay

In England we celebrate New Year.   In Scotland they celebrate Hogmanay. In Edinburgh in particular there are big celebrations, and they hold a street party for which the tickets are like gold dust. The website is http://www.edinburghshogmanay.org/

6 th January - Twelfth Night.  

Traditionally this is when all the Christmas decorations are taken down, and the end of Christmas. There are often Church Services held to celebrate this. You will see cakes at the services, in which 2 peas are hidden. Whoever gets the peas are King and Queen for the day.

2 nd week of January (approx) - The Boat Show

Every year the Boat Show is held, and is a huge event. Previously it has been held at Earls Court, but it moved to Excel in Docklands a few years ago, as the venue is a lot bigger. It is certainly a spectacular show with exhibits not only focusing on boats, but also on all other water sports. They also build a whole marina within the exhibition.  

25 th January - Burns Night

One of the most important events in the Scottish calendar. Burns Night celebrates the birth of the most famous Scottish poet (Robert Burns) on 25th January 1759. A Burns night supper is held, with poetry readings. The traditional meal consists of cock-a-leekie (chicken and leek) soup, haggis, neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes) The haggis has its own ceremony where a poem "Ode to a Haggis" is read.  

26 th January - Australia Day

Antipodeans of the UK unite for Australia Day on the 26 th January. Many bars will hold special parties until the early hours, and the streets around areas such as Shepherds Bush and Earls Court will be full of Australians. Parties are often held at The Walkabout http://www.walkabout.eu.com

End of January - Chinese New Year

London in particular has a large Chinese community, and the celebrations in China Town during Chinese New Year are huge.   The main event focuses on China Town, which is around Gerrard Street and there are also events in Trafalgar Square. There are Dragon dances, firecrackers, singing and dancing but to name a few. The event normally kicks off around 11.00am with a parade.

February

1 st Sunday in February - Clown Sunday

Strange as it might sound, it is a little known fact that the first Sunday in February is Clown Sunday. Clowns from all around gather in a church in London to commemorate the British clown Joseph Grimaldi. After the service the clowns perform for the public.  

6 th February - The Anniversary of the Queen coming to the Throne

To commemorate the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II coming to the throne on the 6 th February 1952 there are a number of gun salutes, including one in Hyde Park and at Windsor Castle

14 th February - Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a time when traditionally you tell people how much you love them, supposedly in an anonymous message or gift. You will find that restaurants are booked up very quickly, and are often overpriced.  

End of February - The Jorvik Viking Festival.  

Every February in York there is a Viking Festival, with events including re-enactments of battles, long ships and parades through the streets.  

End of February/beginning of March - Shrove Tuesday

Commonly known as Shrove Tuesday, this day marks the day before beginning of the 40 day period of Lent. Religion decrees that during Lent Christians should not eat fatty goods, including meat, eggs and milk. There was always a feast on Shrove Tuesday to finish all the food that would not last for 40 days, and the eggs and milk were mixed with flour to make pancakes.   Today we still eat pancakes, and also hold pancake races, one of which is held in Spitalfields Market.  

March

1 st March - St David's Day

St David is the Patron Saint of Wales. He died on the 1 st March 589 and today Welsh people celebrate St David's Day on the anniversary of his death. In Wales parades will be held, and special events.

Beginning March - Ash Wednesday

Another major event in the Christian calendar. This is the day when people give up things to mark the 40 days of Lent and often also use this time for religious reflection. In churches there are services where ashes are used to mark a cross on people's foreheads.

Beginning March - The Ideal Home Exhibition

Held every year the Ideal Home Exhibition is a home owners paradise. Hotels in the area are fully booked for months before the show.   You will often find items at a substantial discount, and all the major retailers launch new products. http://www.idealhomeshow.co.uk/

Beginning of March - The Six Nations

The SIX NATIONS is Europe's premier Rugby Union tournament played between England , France , Ireland , Italy , Scotland and Wales . The tournament started in 1871 between England and Scotland, and gradually the other nations joined, making it the most important fixture in the Rugby Union calendar.

Mid March - Crufts

One of the world's best-known dog shows, Crufts has been going since the early 1900s, and is certainly the biggest show in the UK doggie calendar. It is televised every day on BBC2, and on the Sunday the main event is "Best in Show" The winner nearly always ends up on TV promoting dog food!   http://www.crufts.org.uk

17 th March - St Patrick's Day

St Patrick's Day is bigger in London than St George's Day. On the nearest Sunday a massive parade is held and a street festival with traditional Irish music, dancing and other performances. http://www.londonstpatricksday.org.uk .

End of March - Head of the River Race

This is held every March, and is a processional race for eights, rowed between Mortlake and Putney. Essentially it is the Oxford-Cambridge race in reverse.   It dates back to the 1920s and 420 teams take part each year. Some of those have to be from overseas.   http://www.horr.co.uk/

Mid-End March - Mother's Day

We celebrate Mother's Day on a different date in the UK. Again, as with Valentine's Day you will find that restaurants are booked up, and are often more expensive as are flowers.

Last Sunday in March - Summer time begins

This is the day that the clocks change, and in the UK they go forward. This happens at 2.00am, which means you lose an hour sleep.  

April

1 st April - April Fools Day

Traditionally on April Fools Day people play practical jokes on each other. Each year the BBC, and all the newspapers print some kind of April Fools Joke. The most famous is one where the BBC claimed that there was a spaghetti harvest happening.  

Beginning of April - The Oxford Cambridge Boat Race

Held on the Thames, between Putney and Mortlake this is the annual university boat race, and watched by millions around the world. It originated in 1829 when a student from Cambridge challenged his friend at Oxford to a race. The time is dependant on the tide, but people are out from around 11.00am in pubs along the river so get there early if you want a good view.   http://www.theboatrace.org

Mid April - The Grand National

Perhaps the most famous horseracing event in the UK the Grand National is held at Aintree every year. Many non-betting people stake some money on this race. There is a lot of controversy surrounding the race, as previously horses have died. Less than 50% of the horses entered make it round the course.

Mid April - Easter

Easter in the UK consists of a 4-day weekend. It begins on Good Friday, which is the day that people remember when Jesus was killed on the cross. Then, on Easter Sunday people go to Church, but more commonly now exchange Easter eggs made of chocolate. Children often do Easter egg hunts in gardens or parks. Easter Monday is also a Bank Holiday in the UK.  

21 st April - The Queens Birthday

The Queen has 2 birthdays, her real one and the official one. The 21 st April is her real birthday, which is marked by gun salutes.

23 rd April - St George's Day

St George is the Patron Saint of England. Normally there is some kind of small parade, but you will not find that it is widely celebrated. This date is also the birthday of William Shakespeare. The Globe Theatre on the South Bank often holds free events, and there are celebrations in his hometown of Stratford-Upon-Avon

End of April- The London Marathon

Since 1981 the London Marathon has been a well-known event in London. It begins at around 9.30am and covers the whole of the central London area, and goes out as far as Greenwich and Docklands. Most people do the race for Charity, and if you happen to be in London at the time it is well worth going down to watch. http://www.london-marathon.co.uk

May

1 st May - May Day celebrations

In some villages you will find children dancing around the Maypole, and Morris Dancing on the 1 st May.   The nearest Monday to the 1 st May is a public Holiday.   In Oxford there are May Day celebrations, usually involving jumping off the Magdalen Bridge although in the past years the police have closed the bridge, due to the death of a student.

Middle of May - FA Cup Final

One of the most important events in the footballing calendar. This is the final of the final of the knockout competition between football clubs in England. Scotland has their own cup.  

End of May - The Chelsea Flower Show

The world-renowned flower show is on at the end of May in Chelsea. Tickets go on sale in March or April, and are normally quite expensive, but the event is pretty spectacular. If you can't make it down there the event is televised most days on the BBC http://www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea

Last Monday in May - Bank Holiday

This is another public holiday in the UK. In Gloucester there is a special event. It might sound somewhat bizarre but thousands gather for the annual cheese rolling. Yes, you did hear correctly. A large cheese is thrown down the hill and people chase after it! http://www.cheese-rolling.co.uk/the_event.htm

June

2 nd June - Gun Salute

To mark the anniversary of the coronation of the Queen there is a gun salute

Mid June - The Grand Prix

The British Grand Prix is held around the middle of June at Silverstone

Mid June - Taste of London

The Taste of London festival is held in Regent's Park. It celebrates food in general, and around 40 different restaurants set up stalls with tasting and cheaper versions of their normal menus

17 th June- Trouping of the Colour

The actual Trouping of the Colour is held in the middle of June, but there are 2 rehearsals held in the run up, which you can get tickets for. Trouping of the Colour celebrates the Queens Official Birthday. Some parts of the ceremony can be seen from the street, other parts are not visible. You can apply for tickets to the ceremony around 2 months before the event. The parade is then followed by a fly-by from the RAF.

Mid June - Father's Day

Similar to Mother's Day, with exactly the same traditions

Mid June - Royal Ascot

Another big event in the racing calendar particularly famed for Ladies Day, where women compete to wear the most elaborate hat! It is all televised, so if you don't get to go along (ticket prices can be quite high) then you will certainly get to see it on the TV. http://www.royalascot.co.uk .

End of June/July - Wimbledon

The UK's biggest tennis tournament, needing no explanation. Tickets are almost impossible to obtain, and you need to purchase them nearly a year in advance. http://www.wimbledon.org .

July

Early July - Hampton Court Flower Show

The world's biggest garden show held at one of the Royal Palaces. It is organised by the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) http://www.rhs.org.uk/hamptoncourt .

End of July-September - The Proms

A series of music concerts that cumulate in September with the Last Night of the Proms. Many concerts are shown on BBC2.   http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms .

End of July - Farnborough Air show

This only takes place every 2 years, and is a display of aircraft, old and new. The highlights are the air displays that take place during the day

August

Beginning of August - The Robin Hood Festival

Robin Hood is known for stealing from the rich to give to the poor. Each year in Nottingham, where he originates from they hold a festival, lasting 5 days. http://www.robinhood.co.uk .

Beginning of August - Edinburgh Military Tattoo

A display of marching bands and music held outside of Edinburgh castle for the month of August

Mid August-mid September - The Edinburgh Festival

One of the major comedy festivals in the UK. Held in Edinburgh, this is where many famous comedians started their career. http://www.edinburgh-festivals.com/fringe .

Bank Holiday weekend - Notting Hill Carnival

Everyone knows the Notting Hill Carnival. Held over the August Bank Holiday every year in Notting Hill it is one of the world's best-known street parties. The main event is on Monday, and it can get very crowded. If you don't like crowds then stay away, up to a million people attend on each day!

September

Early September - The Brick Lane Festival

Brick Lane is famed for its curries. Every year there is a festival, attracting people from afar. Restaurants set up stalls in the streets; there are special events and partying until late. http://www.bricklanefestival.com .

Mid September - The Thames Festival

A special festival held on the Thames, cumulating in a night carnival along the river. http://www.thamesfestival.org

Mid September - Open House weekend

One weekend in September many of the houses in London and the surrounding areas open their doors for a small fee, for one weekend only. http://www.openhouselondon.org/london/useful_general.html .

October

Early October - The Great North Run

Held in Newcastle this is the world's largest ½ marathon. During the 2005 event 4 people died from exhaustion so there is a lot of publicity currently surrounding the event.

21 st October (or nearest weekend) Trafalgar Day

This is an event in memory of Nelson. It is organised by the Sea Cadets, and focuses around Trafalgar Square

Last weekend in October - End of British Summer time

Now is the time it starts getting dark early, with the beginning of autumn. You will gain an hour sleep this time

31 st October - Halloween

Halloween is believed to have begun in Ireland, although it is much bigger in the US than it is over here. Sometimes people hold parties, and children will do trick or treating.

November

5 th November - Guy Fawkes Night

Remember, Remember the 5 th November, Gun Powder Treason and Plot. On the 5 th November 1605 Guido Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament. He failed, and was executed for his troubles. Today we have bonfires and light fireworks to celebrate the fact that he did not succeed.  

Early November - Regent Street Christmas Lights

We like to get started early, and in early November we turn on the Christmas lights down Regent Street. Oxford Street lights are a little later normally. A celebrity will always switch on the lights

Early November - London-Brighton Car Race

Every year there is a London-Brighton car race for cars built before 1905. People gather in their thousands to watch the start and finish of the race beginning in Hyde Park at around 7.30am. Cars start to arrive in Brighton from around 10.30am.

2 nd Saturday in November - The Lord Mayor's Show

Since 1189 there has been a Lord Mayor elected each year who represents the City of London, the traditional business centre of London (the Lord Mayor is not the same as the Mayor of London). Each year a new mayor is elected and must travel from the City to Westminster to promise to serve the king or queen. There is a street parade, which starts at the Guildhall.  

10 th November and surrounding weekend - Remembrance events
Wild poppies were abundant in France and Belgium where many people died during the World War. Paper poppies are sold and worn from the start of November to raise money for the Royal British Legion, which is a charity that supports the families of people who have been killed or injured in wars.

On the 10 th, which is Armistice Day there is a 2 minute silence, and on the Sunday there is a large ceremony in London where poppies and wreathes are laid at the Cenotaph

November - State Opening of Parliament

The Queen officially opens Parliament. The Queen reads out details of planned changes to the law over the coming year. The ceremony, which is a tradition which started over 500 years ago, is shown on television.

30 th November - St Andrew's Day

St Andrew is the Patron Saint of Scotland, and this is the day that the Scots celebrate.

December

1 st Saturday in December - The Great Pudding Race

Teams dressed in fancy clothes race around Covent Garden. To make it more difficult, they have to carry a Christmas pudding on a tray, and also complete an obstacle course. The winner receives the Pudding Trophy.

24 th December - Christmas Eve

This is not a public holiday, but many people do not work. People often go to midnight mass to bring in Christmas day

25 th December - Christmas Day

This is a public holiday. All shops and most restaurants are closed. The Queen's Christmas Message is shown on television at around 3.00pm - it is a tradition for many British people to watch this every year.

26 th December - Boxing Day

This is also a public holiday in the UK. It refers to the day that all the household staff were given their Christmas bonus, in a little box.

31 st December - New Years Eve