Events and Festivals in the United Kingdom
Trooping the Colour
Trooping the Colour is a wonderful military parade performed by regiments of the British and Commonwealth armies and takes place annually on a Saturday during the month in which the British Monarch celebrates their official birthday. This annual event has taken place since 1820 and is filled with authentic British pomp and pageantry read more...
Wimbledon, The Championships
Wimbledon or the Wimbledon Championships is a prestigious tennis tournament and the oldest of its kind which has boasted spectators such as Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge, Britain’s Prime Ministers and International film stars in the past and present day. Since 9 July 1877, the best of the best tennis players have competed at this world-renowned annual event read more...
Glastonbury Music Festival
The Glastonbury Music Festival is Britain’s most attended, exciting and muddy music festival which takes place almost annually. Mainly held during the month of June, Glastonbury Music Festival attracts over 100,000 people each time. The festival is a performing art festival that promotes contemporary music as well as dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other art types. Beginning in 1970 and heavily influenced by hippie values read more...
Notting Hill Carnival
The Notting Hill Carnival is a three day street festival held in the month of August in Notting Hill, London. Extremely influenced by black immigrants from the Caribbean, predominantly from Trinidad, the streets of Notting Hill come alive with music, dance and vibrant colours. read more...
The Grand National – The ultimate test of horse and rider
Probably the world’s most prestigious horse race, the Grand National takes place at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England, sometime in April. A sheer test of stamina and endurance, its 30 high fences, 4 mile long distance, harsh bends and the number of competitors (usually 40) makes it the most challenging race of its kind. read more...
London Marathon
The London Marathon, one of the six world marathons that form the World Marathon Majors, is a huge annual event held in the English capital during the month of April. This long distance marathon which is 26 miles/42 km in total distance, dates back to 29 March 1981 and has been held every year ever since. Set largely over a flat course around London’s River Thames, the race begins read more...
Remember, remember the 5th of November – Guy Fawkes Night
Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night or Firework Night, is an exciting and fiery celebration that takes place annually on November 5 up and down the United Kingdom although some cities may choose to have their celebrations before or after this date or even over several days. Guy Fawkes Night marks the anniversary and failure of the famous Gunpowder Plot read more...
Edinburgh Festival Fringe (The Fringe)
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, established in 1947, takes place in the city of Edinburgh in Scotland and is otherwise known as ‘The Fringe’. The Fringe is the world’s largest arts festival filled with thousands of shows, exciting performances carried out by dozens of countries from across the globe in hundreds of venues. Taking place annually during the month of August, 2013 saw The Fringe festival beat its own record featuring 45,464 live performances, 2871 shows in 273 venues and selling over 1.9 million tickets! The Fringe festival is a true showcase of world-class performers inspiring everyone and anyone. Watch the best of performing arts, particularly in theatre and comedy, as well as dance and music. Productions are tremendously varied and cover classical works from ancient Greece, to the works of William Shakespeare, to contemporary works. The Fringe features hundreds of world premiere performances and is simply a fun and terrific time to be in the centre of Scotland’s capital.
Saint Patrick’s Day
Parades, shamrocks, Irish beer, Irish whiskey, feasting, singing, dancing and the colour green; these are the things that comprise the traditions of cheerful Saint Patrick’s Day. On March 17, every year, Ireland remembers their patron Saint, Saint Patrick, in addition to the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. Celebrations on this cultural and religious day, also referred to as Saint Paddy’s Day, involve large public parades and festivals filled with everything Irish; Irish dancing, Irish music and plenty of Irish alcohol! You can find some of the best parades and festivals in Irish cities such as Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Derry, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford. It is also a custom to wear green clothing as well as attaching the all significant shamrock to your attire believed to have been used by Saint Patrick to explain the Holy Trinity to Irish pagans. Due to Irish immigration over several decades, Saint Patrick’s Day is in fact now celebrated in countries all over the world including Britain, Canada, the United States, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand although it is only considered a national holiday in Ireland itself. Over time, the festival has been known to cover several days due to its popularity among locals and visitors to the region. This annual event will definitely offer plenty of fun and laughter as well as the chance to experience some authentic Irish culture.
The Boat Race
Held on London’s famous river, the River Thames, The Boat Race is an annual rowing race which is well-established in the British sporting calendar. It commonly takes place on the last Saturday of March or the first Saturday of April. Competing against one another are read more...
