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FESTIVALS |
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The United Kingdom have a number of festivals celebrated across its regions. |
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A few are listed below: |
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Location: All United Kingdom |
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Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day (the 11th of November) marks the signing of the armistice to signal the end, at 11 a.m. on 11th November 1918, of World War One, "the War to end all Wars". The dead of World War II and Korea, and of all other wars are also remembered. In Britain, it is observed with a two minutes silence. Paper poppies are sold in England, the proceeds going to war veterans. Wreaths of poppies are laid at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London on the second Sunday in November and there are remembrance services in many British churches. Location: All United Kingdom |
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May Day occurs on May 1. This holiday celebrates international workers' day. In Oxford, England, there are street celebrations early in the morning. Location: All United Kingdom |
| Halloween, on October 31, celebrates people's fear of supernatural powers. Children (and adults) dress up in costumes as ghosts, witches, and similar. Children can go from house to house demanding nice snacks to eat with the phrase: "Trick or Treat!" which means, "Give us a snack or we'll do something bad to you".
Location: All United Kingdom |
 Bristol Balloon Fiesta has the Bristol skies fill with color for one weekend in August. This annual hot air balloon festival gets bigger and better each year. It claims to be the biggest of its kind in Europe with around half a million spectators during its four-day festival of fun and flying. The Fiesta takes place in the rolling parkland of Ashton Court Estate, Bristol from early morning to late in the evening. It features mass launches of over 100 balloons, daredevil stunts, funfairs and music of all kinds, plus a wealth of family entertainment activities in a non-stop carnival atmosphere.
Location: Bristol The Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in East Lancashire town, on the final weekend in August, provides four days of unadulterated international Rhythm and Blues indulgence for blues fans from across the world. With over 60,000 visitors during the four-day festival, it is the largest event of its kind in the UK. The festival continues to astonish by providing unforgettable blues memories from International and homegrown talent alike. It is renowned for bringing some of the finest new talent in the blues and R&B world and mixing it with the greats upon on stage throughout the weekend. The International Stage and the Super Roadhouse Stage are the two main venues with over twenty other stages providing free wall-to-wall R & B with everything from Texas Swing to Mississippi delta blues, from jive to soul and gospel.Location: Colne |
Edinburgh International Festival runs for three weeks during the
months of August and September. Founded in 1947, it has earned its reputation as one of the world's greatest celebrations of the arts. The founders believed that the Festival programs should be of the highest possible artistic standard presented by the best artists in the world, that the Festival should enliven and enrich the cultural life of Europe, Britain and Scotland and that it should provide a period of flowering of the human spirit. Thus, the festival has developed significantly over the years. It features the best in opera, music, dance and theatre from around the world. It attracts audiences from around the world to the city's thrilling
atmosphere. The festivities offer a unique opportunity to experience the excitement of live performance by internationally renowned artists as well as the joy of discovering new and unfamiliar works. Every day from eleven in the morning to late at night you can experience some of the most exciting and innovative artists.
Location: Edinburgh Royal Highland Show takes place over four days at the end of June each year and is the largest single annual event in the Scottish calendar. It attracts 150,000 visitors and 2,000 exhibitors each year to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston. The Show features a Scottish food exhibition from Exhibitors across Scotland, Wales, England and Europe, 0ver 5,000 pedigree livestock, flower show, show jumping, craft fair, Scottish Champion of Champions Sheepdog Trials, Sheep Shearing, Heavy Horse Driving, Farriery, Dancing Diggers, Food from Scotland, Cookery Demos and lots more.Location: Edinburgh |
| London Ski Club Winter Carnival, at Boler Mountain in London, in February. There is free skiing on Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Saturday night are fireworks shows. Other events include a speed race open to anyone, pancake breakfast, and more celebration of outside activities.
Location: London |
 The Notting Hill Carnival takes place on the last Sunday and Monday of August. The celebration brings London to life with music, dance, costume and food. It showcases the diversity of Caribbean culture in the UK. It first began in St Pancras Town Hall in 1958 by Caribbean immigrants, particularly from Trinidad, where the Carnival tradition is very strong. For several years it was held in various halls until it finally settled in Notting Hill in 1964. Locals immigrants dreamt of creating this festival to bring together the people of Notting Hill, most of whom were facing racism, lack of working opportunities, and poor housing conditions. Since then, it has grown into a huge event with the Jubilee procession down the Mall and is now one of the best carnivals in the UK attracting over a million people each year. There are five disciplines which all play s part on the two days of Carnival-on-the-Road: - Mas' from (costumed procession, Masquerade bands, floats), - Steelband (Traditional Trinidadian instrument which is either static, or worn around the neck), - Calypso (Traditional Trinidadian music with political, social and satirical commentary, set to music), - Soca (the traditional music of Carnival, a fusion of Soul and Calypso, its calypso's modern, more energetic form) - Static Sound Systems (Originally from Jamaica, plays a range of music) Today, the Carnival also features music from hip-hop, house and salsa to West African drumming, and two enormous live stages. For many people the Notting Hill Carnival has become a celebration and reflection of London's uniquely multicultural make-up. Location: London |
 London Film
Festival, in October thru November, hosts gala screenings, special events, It showcases the best new movies from around the world and welcomes film-makers, writers and actors live on-stage. The Guardian Interviews, and UK, European and World Premieres, the British Film Institute's London Film Festival is the leading non-competitive event in the international cinema calendar.
Location: London London International Boat Show, in January, is a glittering affair, with all the best in boating on display. London's Earls Court houses the international boat show with all the latest in boats, equipment, water sports and holidays.Location: London |
 London Marathon in April, Aside from being a natural arena for competitiveness and human achievement, the London Marathon is a huge asset to thousands of charities who enter athletes in the hope of raising money, usually on a sponsorship basis.
Location: London St Patrick's Day on March 17th is the patron saint of the Republic of Ireland. Irish people around the world celebrate their national identity. In the Republic of Ireland, this day is strongly celebrated. At this time, there are various Irish pride parades joined with the sounds of the Bagpipe. The festive atmosphere can be enjoyed at many Irish Pubs way into the night.Location: Republic of Ireland, Rest of the UK |
Guy Fawkes Day (also known as
Bonfire Night) celebrates the 5th November 1605 when Guy Fawkes (also known as Guido - yes, really) and other religious protesters were stopped from destroying the British Houses of Parliament with explosives. In 1606 Parliament agreed to make 5th November a day of public thanksgiving and ever since then the day has been commemorated with bonfires being set alight, effigies of Guy Fawkes being burnt, and fireworks set off. 
