UK festivals, bank holidays & traditions
Last reviewed · Reviewed by the BritainTest editorial team
The UK marks a wide range of festivals through the year, from Christmas and Easter to Diwali, Eid and Vaisakhi, reflecting its many faiths and traditions. The test likes the fixed dates and what each day celebrates. This page is part of our modern society study notes.
Key facts
Here are the festivals and traditions the test asks about, with their dates and meanings:
| Festival | When | What it marks |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January | The start of the year. |
| Hogmanay | 31 December | The Scottish celebration of New Year's Eve. |
| Valentine's Day | 14 February | Romance; people send cards to those they love. |
| Shrove Tuesday | February or March | "Pancake Day", the day before Lent begins. |
| Mothering Sunday | Three weeks before Easter | Honouring mothers. |
| April Fool's Day | 1 April | Jokes and pranks, until noon. |
| Good Friday & Easter | March or April | Christian festival of the death (Good Friday) and resurrection (Easter Sunday) of Jesus. |
| Vaisakhi | 14 April | A Sikh festival marking the founding of the Sikh community. |
| Eid al-Fitr | Date varies | Muslim festival marking the end of Ramadan. |
| Eid ul-Adha | Date varies | Muslim festival of sacrifice, later in the year. |
| Halloween | 31 October | An old tradition; children dress in costumes. |
| Diwali | October or November | Hindu and Sikh festival of light. |
| Bonfire Night | 5 November | Remembers the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605; fireworks. |
| Remembrance Day | 11 November | Those who died in wars; people wear poppies. |
| Hanukkah | November or December | Jewish festival of light. |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Christian festival of the birth of Jesus. |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | The day after Christmas. |
The UK is a Christian country by tradition, and Christmas and Easter are the main Christian festivals. Lent is the period of about 40 days before Easter, and it begins after Shrove Tuesday. Because the UK is a diverse society, festivals of many other faiths, such as Diwali, Hanukkah, Eid and Vaisakhi, are also widely celebrated.
Bank holidays are public holidays when banks and many businesses close. They include New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, the early May and spring holidays, a late summer holiday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The exact days differ a little between the four nations of the UK, for example Scotland and Northern Ireland have some additional holidays.
What to remember for the test
- Fixed dates: Christmas (25 December), Bonfire Night (5 November), Remembrance Day (11 November).
- Bonfire Night remembers the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
- Remembrance Day honours those who died in wars; people wear poppies.
- The UK celebrates festivals of many faiths: Diwali, Hanukkah, Eid and Vaisakhi.
- Bank holidays are public holidays when many places close.
Practise this topic
Test yourself on festivals and traditions in the real format, then reread anything you miss. The patron saints and their national days are covered in a separate guide.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Bonfire Night?
- 5 November. It remembers the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, and is celebrated with fireworks and bonfires.
- What is Remembrance Day?
- 11 November, when the UK remembers those who died in wars. People wear poppies and there is a two-minute silence.
- What festivals do different religions celebrate in the UK?
- Diwali (Hindus and Sikhs), Hanukkah (Jewish), Eid al-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha (Muslim), and Vaisakhi (Sikh), among others.
- What are bank holidays?
- Public holidays when banks and many businesses close, such as Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday and Easter Monday.
- When is Christmas Day?
- 25 December, followed by Boxing Day on 26 December.
Official sources (GOV.UK)
Related guides
View all guides →Patron Saints & National Days of the UK
Study notes on the four patron saints of the UK and their days: St George (England), St Andrew (Scotland), St David (Wales) and St Patrick (Northern Ireland).
A Modern, Thriving Society: Study Notes
Chapter 4: a diverse society and its religions, customs and festivals, sport, arts, food and pubs, money, and famous landmarks.
Life in the UK Test Study Guide (3rd Edition)
How and what to study: the official handbook, the five chapters, a four-week study plan, and how to revise with practice, flashcards and mocks.
Life in the UK Test: Format, Pass Mark & How It Works
How the test works: 24 questions in 45 minutes, an 18/24 (75%) pass mark, fees, booking, exemptions and retakes, and how to practise.
Values & Principles of the UK: Study Notes
Chapter 1: the five fundamental principles of British life, your rights and freedoms, your responsibilities, and the citizenship ceremony.