Several myths and legends follow the steps of St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland celebrated on 17 March, the day he possibily died on.Among the popular legends is the one that he drove al the snakes out of Ireland, however, it is a country where no snakes have ever appeared. St Patrick’s Day is a…

“Remember remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot.” “ Penny for the Guy.” Bonfires, the guy, firework displays, sparklers, toffee apples and hot-dogs… Watch an episode of This is Britain to find out about Bonfire night. Fawkes may have been the man charged with lighting the fuse to the gunpowder in the Parlieament…

Part of the parades on Bonfire Night, in Ottery St Mary (Devon), seventeen tar barrels on fire are carried by crazy competitors who are watched by thousands of spectators. The custom is over 300 years old but nobody really knows where it originates from, but there is a popular version that says, “Streets must be…

Called dipavali (“row of lights”) in Sanskrit, the largest religious festival of the Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhist groups is celebrated all over Britain. There is no exact date for Diwali, this festival season begins in mid-October and lasts for a month. It includes parades in streets, firework displays and other shows that include…

With a close relation to Halloween, Punky (or Punkie) Night is a tradition in Somerset, the south-west of England. On this night, children carry “punkies” (= lanters) made of swedes* from house to house and sing or chant “Give me a candle, give me a light. If you don’t, you’ll get a fright!” GR8 to…

In 2019 the event is due on 13 October. In Southwick near Peterborough in Northamptonshire chestnuts play important role in the World Conker Championships. Competitors take a horse chestnut, make a hole in it and tie it to a lace. This creation is called a conker. Then competitors are ordered to stand in pairs and…

In 2019 it is due from 5 to 15 October. One of the largest and oldest tavelling fairs in the U.K., the one in Kingston-uon-Hull inEast Yorkshire attracts nearly a million visitors each year. Hull Fair dates back to the 13th century and it celebrated its 725th anniversary in 2018. Hull Fair gives visitors thrilling…

Watch this History Channel bit about the history of Halloween. Halloween is an annual celebration. It is a mixture of Celtic, Roman and Catholic celebrations. In the 5th Century Celtic Ireland summer ended on 31 October. People celebrated the Celtic New Year and Samhain (sow-en), God of the Sun. The Celts believed that the souls…