9.1: Customs and Traditions
Christian Festivals
Christmas Day is celebrated on 25 December to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a public holiday in the UK. Many Christians attend church services on Christmas Eve (24 December) or Christmas Day itself.
The traditional celebration involves spending time at home, exchanging gifts, and enjoying a meal of roast turkey, Christmas pudding, and mince pies. The day after Christmas, Boxing Day (26 December), is also a public holiday.
Easter is celebrated in March or April. It marks the death of Jesus Christ on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday. Both Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays.
The Lenten Season
Shrove Tuesday
The day before Lent starts; traditionally a time to use up foods like eggs, fat, and milk by making pancakes.
Ash Wednesday
The beginning of Lent; Christians attend services where an ash cross is marked on their foreheads.
Lent
A period of reflection and fasting leading up to Easter Sunday.
Other Religious Festivals
- Diwali: The “Festival of Lights” celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs in Oct/Nov. Leicester holds a famous celebration.
- Hannukah: An 8-day Jewish festival in Nov/Dec symbolising religious freedom; involves lighting a Menorah.
- Eid al-Fitr: Marks the end of Ramadan (fasting) for Muslims.
- Eid ul-Adha: Honours Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son; meat must be from a licensed slaughterhouse in the UK.
- Vaisakhi: Celebrated on 14 April; commemorates the founding of the Sikh Khalsa.
Other Festivals and Traditions
New Year’s Day (1 January) follows New Year’s Eve (31 December). In Scotland, this is called Hogmanay, and 2 January is also a public holiday.
Bonfire Night (5 November) commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy Fawkes tried to blow up Parliament.
Remembrance Day (11 November) commemorates those who died in wars. People wear poppies and observe a two-minute silence at 11:00 am, marking the end of WWI in 1918.
Annual Secular Traditions
- Valentine’s Day (14 Feb): Exchange of cards/gifts for lovers.
- April Fool’s Day (1 April): Practical jokes are played until midday.
- Mothering Sunday: Observed three weeks before Easter.
- Father’s Day: Observed on the third Sunday in June.
- Halloween (31 Oct): Ancient pagan roots; “trick or treat” and pumpkin lanterns.
Bank Holidays
The UK has several bank holidays each year where banks and many businesses close. These usually occur in early May, late May/early June, and August. In Northern Ireland, the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in July is also a public holiday.