National holidays and National holidays and traditions of Great traditions of Great

BritainBritain

TraditionsTraditions Afternoon tea, is a small meal snack typically eaten between 2pm

and 5pm. The custom of afternoon tea originated in England in the 1840s.[2] At the time, the various classes in England had a divergence in their eating habits. The upper classes typically ate luncheon at about midday and dinner (if not eschewed in favor of the later supper) at 8:00 pm or later, while the lower classes ate dinner at about 11:00 am and then a light supper at around 7:00 pm.[3] For both groups, afternoon tea filled a gap in the meals. The custom spread throughout the British Empire and beyond in succeeding decades. However, changes in social customs and working hours mean that most 21st Century Britons will rarely take afternoon tea, if at all.

WeddingsOver half the weddings in the UK take place in local register offices and the rest are religious ceremonies of onekind or another. A few years ago changes in the law allowed couples to get married in all sorts of places (knownas a civil Wedding Ceremony).Most weddings take place on Saturday afternoons, this is very much the “peak period” in any week for gettingmarried. Before the Wedding takes placeBrides have 'Hen' nights and bridegrooms have 'Stag' parties (similar to bachelor/bachelorette parties). For couples getting married in a church, 'banns' announcing the proposed wedding are read aloud in the churchthree Sundays before the wedding. The groom chooses a Best Man who will look after the couple rings during

thewedding ceremony.The Wedding DayIt is unlucky for the groom to see the bride on the wedding day before the service. Traditionally the bride wears awhite dress and the groom wears a suit (top hat and tails). The bride may be attended by bridesmaids andpageboys. The groom and the bride say their vows. They give each other rings. They sign a wedding register.After the wedding ceremonyAfter the wedding ceremony guests are invited to attend a meal and further celebrations. This is known as theWedding Reception. Guests leave presents for the bride and groom on a table in the room where the receptiontakes place. It is traditional for the Best Man, Brides Father and the Groom to give a speech at the weddingreception.

What is British Humour? In popular culture, British humour is a somewhat general term applied tocertain types of comedy and comedic acts from the United Kingdom. ManyUK comedy TV shows typical of British humour have become popular allround the world, and, for good or bad, have been a strong avenue for theexport and representation of British culture to an international audience,but like many things the "typical" British sense of humour doesn't reallyexist. There are many different kinds of humour, and often culture and traditionplays a big part in how funny you may find something, or not.

Changing the GuardPerhaps the epitome of London's surviving pageantry can be found in theceremonial Changing of the Guard. A hugely popular spectacle, theChanging of the Guard takes place at a range of royal locations in andaround London daily during the summer (April-July) and on alternate

daysfor the rest of the year. There is no ticketing, so make sure you get thereearly. Ever since 1660 Household Troops have guarded the SovereignPalaces. The Palace of Whitehall was the main residence until 1689 andwas guarded by the Household Cavalry (they can still be seen heretoday; outside Horse Guards Arch). The court moved to St James'sPalace in 1689 and when Queen Victoria moved into Buckingham Palace (1837) the Queen's Guard remained at St James's Palace and adetachment guarded Buckingham Palace, as it does today.

Trooping the ColourOften cited as the ceremonial event of the year, the Trooping the Colour marks the'official' birthday of the Queen. Her actual birthday is 21st April but it is a long-standingtradition to publicly celebrate her birthday on a summer day. This tradition dates back tothe early 18th century when the Colours (flags) of the battalion were carried (Trooped)past soldiers to reinforce the colours of their regiment so that they would recognise themin battle. Ever since 1748 this ceremony has also marked the Sovereign's birthday. Trooping the Colour takes place in June when the Queen leaves Buckingham Palace toher arrival at Horse Guards Parade when a gun salute is fired from Green Park. The action centres on Horse Guards Parade, where the Queen receives the royal saluteand inspects the troops.

Ceremony of the Keys

Every night the Tower of London is locked up by the Chief Warder who makes

his way to the gates from the Byward Tower at exactly 9.53pm. Once all the

Tower gates are locked, the Last Post is sounded by a trumpeter and the

ceremony is concluded. This ceremony represents a 700-year-old

tradition and lasts no more than 10 minutes.

The Chief Warder represents the Yeoman Warders (more commonly known as

'Beefeaters') who have looked after the Tower since the 14th century. Today

they perform the role of tour guide in addition to their ceremonial duties.

British holidaysBritish holidaysChristmas DayThe origins of the now traditional Christmas Celebration, distinct from earlier paganwinter holidays, date to sixth century England. By the middle ages, it was a wellestablished important holiday, with traditional pageantry, customs, music and feasting allits own. Customs from pre Christian days were incorporated into the Celebrations, andmany still remain. However in 1647, the English parliament passed a law that made Christmas illegal, allfestivities were banned by the Puritan leader Oliver Cromwell, who considered feastingand revelry on what was supposed to be a holy day to be immoral. The ban was liftedonly when Cromwell lost power in 1660. In Britain, the Holy Days and Fasting Days Act of 1551 (which has not yet been repealed) states that every citizen must attend a Christian church service on Christmas Day, and must not use any kind of vehicle toget to the service There are a large number of Britons who break this law every year. The law may have beenintended to encourage humility by forcing even the wealthy to attend the church on foot, or perhaps it wassimply to avoid the traffic and parking crush that universal attendance would otherwisehave brought about. Later, during Queen Victoria's reign, Christmas became a time for gift giving, and aspecial season for children.

Boxing Day - December 26thIn England Boxing Day celebrated on December 26th, is traditionally a time togive gifts to tradesmen, servants, and friends. It originated in medieval times, when every priest was supposedto empty the alms box of his church and distribute gifts to thepoor. Wealthy people indulged in huge Christmas feasts, and when they werefinished, packed up the remains of feasts in boxes and gave them out to theirservants. It didn't become widely celebrated though until Victorian England.In Ireland there is an Irish custom called "feeding the wren". The custom isbased on a legend of St. Stephen. Once he was forced to hide in a bush, but achattering wren gave him away. In the past Children caged the wren to help it do penance for this misdeed. Nowadays children carry a long pole with a hollybush at the top - which is supposed to hide a captured wren.In the UK Boxing Day is still a public holiday, some shops and supermarketsopen nowadays, but banks and most offices remain closed.

January

New Year's Day Parade

The New Year's Day Parade is parade of 10,000 performers from all around the

world through the streets of the West End of London from Parliament Square to

Piccadilly, which takes place annually on 1 January.

London International Mime Festival

The London International Mime Festival is an annual festival of contemporary

visual theatre which takes place every January.

February

Chinese New Year Festival

The Chinese New Year festival to mark

the start of the Chinese New Year, the

date varies from late January to

mid-February.

March Whisky Live LondonWhisky Live London is the most important England's whisky event of the year, offers thechance to learn about the culture and history of whisky, try and taste hundreds of whiskybrands. St Patrick's Day Parade The Parade is in commemoration of St Patrick where bandsfrom the UK, Ireland and USA, community groups, and others take to the streets ofcentral London for a spectacular march.

AprilOxford and Cambridge Boat RaceCambridge and Oxford University boat clubs race annually each Spring on the Thamesriver along 4.25 miles. The event is very popular, not only with the alumni of theuniversities also with rowers in general and the public who wants participate. London MarathonThe London Marathon is the second largest marathon in participants terms, the race isalong a course of 42.195 km (26 miles and 385 yards), runners stretches fromGreenwich Park and Black Heath to the Buckingham Palace Mall. London Golf ShowIt is the biggest public European Golf Show. It shows a wide range of golf equipment,apparel and all related to the game. London Horse Harness ParadeThe London Harness Horse Parade is a horse parade and takes place annually onEaster Monday at The South of England Centre, Sussex.

May The Chelsea Flower Show The Chelsea Flower Show is a garden show and takes place every year on fivedays in May by the Royal Horticultural Society in the grounds of the RoyalHospital Chelsea in Chelsea, it shows the best garden designs and horticulture,and show ideas to take for new gardens designs. Hampstead & Highgate FestivalHampstead & Highgate Festival is a competition of classical compositions, andvariety of arts. It takes place at North London villages. Dulwich Festival (London) Dulwich Festival is an arts and cultural events aim to celebrate local talent,professionals and amauteurs participate in artistic events. London International Festival of Theatre London International Festival of Theatre, is a progressive biennial theatrefestival which creatively explores local and global issues using theatre as acatalyst.

June City of London FestivalThe City of London Festival is an arts festival that takes place in the City ofLondon for two or three weeks in June and July. The Festival offers classicalmusic, opera, film screenings, lectures and guided tours. Spitalfields FestivalSpitalfields Festival is a music festival that takes place in the Spitalfields area ofTower Hamlets. Classical music is typically played, however in addition much ofthe music reflects local ethnic groups. Summer Olympia Fine Art & Antiques FairThe Summer Olympia Fine Art & Antiques Fair is one of the largest fairs in theinternational art and antiques calendar. Hundreds of distinguished UK andinternational dealers showcase anunrivalled selection of the finest works of art at the Olympia Exhibition Centre East Barnet FestivalEast Barnet Festival is a three-day music, arts and sports festival and one of the largest community festival in theLondon region.

July The Hampton Court Palace Flower ShowThe Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is an annual event run by the RoyalHorticultural Society at Hampton Court Palace. The Hampton Court Palace Flower ShowThe BBC Proms is an eight-week summer season of orchestral classical musicconcerts held annually in Central London. Greenwich + Docklands FestivalThe annual Greenwich + Docklands International Festival is an extendedMidsummer weekend of ravishing free outdoor performances from majorinternational companies, and pioneering new work from UK artists.

August Notting Hill CarnivalThe Notting Hill Carnival is a large street festival and celebration of Caribbeanculture, whith parades of costumed dancers and colourfully decorated floats. Coin Street FestivalThe Coin Street Festival takes place at Coin Street and celebrates the cooperation in its many forms and is held on the South Bank between the NationalTheatre and Tate Modern.

September The London Festival of Chamber MusicIt is a four weeks festival, aims to make chamber musicaccessible to a wider audience, with performances of thehighest standard at local venues.

October The Chelsea Crafts Fair’sThe Chelsea Crafts Fair’s is a showcase of the finestcontemporary craft from the UK. Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest FestivalShows the original Pearly Kings and Queens gather in their buttoned suits forthe annual Harvest Festival Service, takes place at the church ofSt Martin-in-the Fields, Trafalgar Square.

November The London Film FestivalThe Times BFI London Film Festival showcases the best new films of world cinema, ithan extensive schedule of industry and public forums, education events, lectures andcelebrity interviews. London to Brighton Veteran Car Run The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is thelongest-running motoring event in the world the racers have to drive for 86km (54 miles)from Hyde Park in London to Brighton, it takes place every first sunday in November. Guy Fawkes NightGuy Fawkes Night is a annual Britain celebration on November 5th. The event displaysfirework, the lighting of bonfires and the ceremonial effigy-burning of one Guy Fawkes. Lord Mayor's ShowThe Lord Mayor's Show is a street parade which in its modern form is a fairly lighthearted combination of traditional British pageantry and elements of carnival.

December

Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree

It celebrates the beginning of Christmas, is world’s most famous

Christmas tree lighting at Trafalgar Square.