English Holidays

New Year’s day (January, 1) New Year's Day is not so popular in England, but it is rather popular in Scotland. On that day people usually visit their friends and there is a lot of dancing and eating. In Scotland people bring a piece of coal for good luck in the New Year.

St. Valentine’s Day (February, 14) On this day people send Valentine cards and get presents and “valentines” from their sweethearts. A valentine is a colourful card with tender love words. It is a kind of a love-token.

Pancake Day Pancake Day is celebrated on Shrove Tuesday in spring at the beginning of Lent.   On this day English families usually have pancakes for dinner. At school children and teachers have pancakes for school dinner, and in restaurants customers ask for pancakes. Women cook flat cakes in a frying pan, and run down the street, throwing the pancakes into the air, and catching them in the pans. This competition is called “Pancake race” (1445)

Mother’s Day (March) It is always on the fourth Sunday in Lent in March. On Mothering Sunday mothers get presents from their sons and daughters. All the children despite their age return to their homes.

April Fool’s Day (April, 1) On this holiday people play jokes and tricks on each others. April Fools' Day is celebrated in different countries around the world on April 1 every year.

St. George’s Day (April, 23) It’s England’s national day. St. George is the patron saint of England. His emblem, a red cross on a white background, is the flag of England and part of the British flag.

Easter (April) In April there is Easter. At Easter children eat chocolate Easter eggs. Sometimes parents hide them in the house or in the garden and children have to look for them.

Father’s day (June) This festival is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. On Father's Day fathers get gift cards and a lot of attention from their children.

Halloween (October, 31) People make lanterns out of pumpkins which look like a face with burning eyes. Usually people dress in colourful costumes of witches and ghosts and go to a fancy dress parties.

Guy Fawkes Day (November, 5) This tradition comes from old times when King James I was on the throne. Guy Fawkes was one of the people who placed barrels with gunpowder under the House of Lords to blow it. But the King discovered their plan. The soldiers executed him. Since then British people mark this day by burning a dummy made of straw and old clothes on a bonfire.

Christmas Day (December, 25) It is the most popular bank holiday. Christmas symbolizes the birth of Jesus Christ. On this day people go to the Churches, get Christmas presents and make a traditional Christmas dinner (roast turkey and pudding).

Boxing Day (December, 26) It comes straight away after Christmas Day. It is an old tradition, when rich people used to give their servants money or “Christmas Boxes”. Now it is the day when people have rest or visit their friends.