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Holiday traditions in the UK

Christmas

For many British families Christmas is the most important holiday of the year. People richly decorate every single building on the street, be it a house or a shop. At New Year night people turn on the TV or radio and listen to Big Ben chiming. After midnight people can continue partying at Trafalgar Square. Traditionally all relatives and friends give each other presents. Before Christmas all the department stores and shops are crowded, everybody is choosing a present. Christmas is a merry family holiday for all the people of Great Britain.

Saint Valentine’s Day

One day that is equally important for the young couples who are in love and people who have been married for years is the Feast of Saint Valentine. Everyone wants to speak about love on this day. People want to show their love through various objects, presents or acts. The most enthusiastic people decorate their rooms or workplaces with heart-shaped balloons and other symbolic items. It’s good to have at least one day a year when people can speak freely of their feelings and have a romantic date.

Easter

Easter is another religious and important holiday in England. Even the word “easter” originates from the name of Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring Eostre. Easter festival each year honors the awakening of nature. Children, perhaps, more than others appreciate this holiday because of colored eggs and chocolate Easter bunnies. Christian people all over the world associate this day with the rising of the sun to the resurrection of Jesus. 

Walpurgis Night

It is celebrated on 30 April. Coven or fertility feast. According to the legend at this time they gather all the witches and open the gates to the elves. England Streets are filled with witches of all ages - of course, not true, and citizens in carnival costumes. Also, this holiday commemorates the imminent arrival of summer.

Halloween

Halloween is one of the most favourite holidays not only in England, but in all English-speaking countries. It is celebrated annually on the last day of October. Children usually dress up and go trick-or-treating on this day. Other than that, people can attend costume parties and various haunted attractions.

Guy Fawkes Night

One of the most original English holidays is Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night. This is the annual celebration, which falls on November 5, in honor of Gunpowder Plot failure. In 1605 a group of conspirators led by Guy Fawkes attempted to destroy the Houses of Parliament. However, their plans were disclosed and they were punished. Today, the Bonfire Night is centered about numerous fireworks and bonfire lightings.