There are many different holidays in England that are celebrated throughout the year: state, so-called legal holidays, religious and traditional, important events of national history, festivals. The best way to touch British traditions is to get to one of them. Some of the holidays have origins in the distant past, others are relatively new, modern.
The main holidays in England, celebrated everywhere, are Christmas, New Year and Easter. Easter in 2013 will be celebrated on March 31.
Official holidays in England are called “Bank holidays”, literally translated as “bank holidays”, which, in fact, means: banks and other state organizations do not work on general holidays.
The designation Bank holidays was introduced in the 19th century by a banker, politician Sir John Lubbock, who considered that two types of holidays should be distinguished. The Law of 1871 on weekends mentioned four official holidays: Easter Monday, May First, Last Monday in August and Boxing Day.
Today, this term is used for many public holidays, which, however, are not officially recognized as Bank holidays.
Eight public holidays in England: New Year (January 1), Great Friday (March 23, 2013), Easter Day (April 1, 2013), May 1, Spring Day off (May 27 in 2013), Summer Day Off day (August 26 in 2013), Christmas (December 25), Boxing Day (December 26).
Popular traditional British holidays
New Year is perhaps the only truly global holiday. A grand parade is being held in London, in which more than 10,000 performers participate - dancers, musicians, acrobats, cheerleading teams.
January 5 - Twelfth Night - the eve of Baptism, the twelfth and final night of the Christmas season, the twelfth day - Baptism itself.
English holidays in February:
February 2 celebrate the Meeting of the Lord.
Valentine's Day (February 14), a popular traditional event and Christian holiday, which is associated with romance and love. People express love for each other by sending postcards called "valentines" with the symbols depicted on them (hearts, red and pink roses, cupid figurines), give flowers, sweets, small memorable gifts.
Tuesday in Shrovetide - a Christian carnival on the eve of Repentance Day, before Great Lent.
In March:
March - International (or Historical) Women's Month, dedicated to women in history and modern society, highlighting their achievements in many areas of life. Each year, the theme of the month is determined: in 2013, it is associated with literature, painting, alternative arts. Celebrated throughout March, including March 8 - International Women's Day.
Second Monday in March is Commonwealth Day. The annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations (British Commonwealth of Nations) with the indispensable participation of Elizabeth II, who is the Head of the Commonwealth.
The fourth Sunday of Lent is Maternal Sunday. For many centuries, it has been considered very important for people that day to reunite with their whole family in their father’s house or at least come to the “mother” church (the main church or cathedral in the area where they were born).
In April:
April 1 - Day of cheating.
April 21 is the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II.
In May:
May 1 - May Day, including a variety of celebrations, dances around the Maypole , folk theatrical dance "Morris", the choice of the Queen of the holiday.
May 29 - Day of Ink Nuts. This is a special day and it is still celebrated in many villages. At one time it was a state holiday that marked the restoration of the English monarchy in May 1660.
English holidays in June:
June 2 - Coronation Day of Elizabeth II.
June 24 is the Summer Solstice. The holiday has been celebrated in England since the 13th century, with bonfires, feasts, and fun. In recent years, special celebrations have been held at Stonehenge.
In July:
July 15 - Day of St. Switun. The switch was the Anglo-Saxon bishop of Winchester, then rector of the Winchester Cathedral. By tradition, his holiday lasts for forty days. In England, some beliefs are associated with him. It is said that if it rains on the day of St. Switun, then within forty days it will not stop.
In August:
August 1 - Yorkshire Day.
August 28-29 - Notting Hill Carnival.
English holidays in September:
Illuminations - autumn festivals of lights in several resort English towns and villages, among them: Matlock Bath, Mousehouse, Walsall, Blackpool. Founded in Blackpool in 1979, it runs from late August to early November (when the season ends in other English seaside resorts) and is positioned as the largest light show on earth.
In October:
October 21 - Apple Day. Recently, it has been observed, as a rule, on Saturday and Sunday, closest to October 21. The event was first organized in 1990 by the charity organization Common Ground in Covent Garden. Since 2000, hundreds of events across the country have been organized by restaurants, museums, garden communities, and cider producers.
October 31 - Halloween.
In November:
November 5 - Guy Fawkes Night.
November 11 is Memorial Day.
English holidays in December :
The ceremony of lighting Christmas tree lights on Trafalgar Square.
December 25 - Christmas.
December 26 - Boxing Day.