Not only stunning tourist places, United Kingdom is also famous for vibrant culture and ethos. The best of these traditions is reflected through an array of festivals in United Kingdom. From religious to harvest, from music to heritage; UK rejoices every kind of festivals with complete pomp and show.
To cherish the true colours and ethnicity of the country, glance at the handy note on important festivals of UK.
15 Vibrant Festivals In United Kingdom
The popular festivals celebrated in UK truly reflect the culture and heritage. They are gorgeous, popular and rejoiced with full glory. Make your trip to the English land a memorable affair.
- Diwali In Leicester
- Hogmanay
- Burns Night
- Jorvik Viking Festival
- Obby Oss
- Hay Festival
- Robin Hood Festival
- Notting Hill Carnival
- Edinburgh People’s Festival
- RHS Harvest Festival
- Guy Fawkes Day
- Edinburgh Fringe Festival
- Sidmouth Folk Festival
- Boomtown
- Glastonbury Festival
1. Diwali In Leicester: Fireworks, Food, Fun And Frolic
Diwali in Leicester is most famous religious festival of England, UK. With gorgeous fireworks, street décor, carnivals, music shows and dance performances; Leicester celebrates Diwali in full glory for two weeks. It is the grandest and most popular religious festival of England, UK and one of the biggest outside India. Admire the twinkling lights, enjoy the peppy songs and dances and indulge with mouth-watering Indian delicacies.
Location: Leicester
Date: 24th October 2022
Must Read: 10 Places To Visit In United Kingdom That’ll Make Your Trip More Classic That You Had Imagined
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2. Hogmanay: New Year In Scotland
In Scotland, the celebration on the last day of the year is popular as Hogmanay. Undoubtedly, this is one of the most famous festivals in United Kingdom, where along with music concerts, games and carnivals, Hogmanay is rejoiced following a local tradition called ‘first footing’. This celebration starts after midnight, where the person enters his neighbour or friend’s house to gift him cake, shortbread, whiskey and cookies, wishing him good luck for the new year. Hogmanay celebration also involves fireball swinging and marching up to the top of Lomond Hills.
Location: Scotland
Date: 31st December 2022
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3. Burns Night: Remembering The Great Poet Robert Burns
Burns Night is a celebration of life and work of famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns. This is one of the handpicked United Kingdom Festivals 2022, where the great masterpieces of this poet are remembered and matched with traditional Scottish food and drinks, on the poet’s birthday. The Burns Supper was first held in 1801 and continuing over 200 years to emphasise the tradition and culture.
Location: Scotland
Date: 25th January 2022
4. Jorvik Viking Festival: Rejoicing The Heritage
Much famed as one of the famous festivals in England UK, Jorvik Viking Festival is a huge celebration of the Viking heritage. This festival is one of its kind in entire Europe where the locals rejoice the arrival and conquest of England by Viking army. From combat performances, guided walk to competitions and feasts; this week-long celebration has everything.
Location: York, England
Date: 19th-27th February 2022
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5. Obby Oss: May Day Celebration
On every May Day, Padstow- a coastal town of English county of Cornwall celebrates Obby Oss festival. The celebration starts with midnight song near Golden Lion statue, followed by gala processions, parades, local dance and music, The procession comprises of eponymous hobby horse, which is colloquially termed as Obby Oss. No discussion on national festival of England UK is complete without mentioning this one.
Location: Padstow, Cornwall
6. Hay Festival: A Cultural Feast In UK
There are many popular and important festivals of UK and Hay Festival is one of the most popular names in the list. This is the annual literature festival, held in Hay-on-Wye in Wales. Featuring live music shows, book launches, book fairs and film screening; Hay Festival pulls great volume of native people and tourists, for over 10 days.
Location: Powys, Wales
Date: 26th May to 5th June 2022
Suggested Read: 10 Best Places To Visit In Manchester For A Great English Holiday
7. Robin Hood Festival: An Amazing Celebration
As astounding as the name, this is a delightful week-long celebration and one of the most fun-filled United Kingdom festivals 2022. From pony and horse rides, archery, nature walks to dance and music shows and magic shows; Robin Hood Festival has something for every age group.
Location: Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire
8. Notting Hill Carnival: A Glorious Street Carnival
Since 1966, this is an annual music feast, that takes place on Notting Hill Street, London. Celebrated every year in August, this was the greatest UK music festivals 2022 had witnessed. One can witness live performances of costume clad Caribbean dancers, calypso and zouk music. It will be a great experience to indulge with local and authentic Caribbean street food, that have roots in Europe and the UK.
Location: London
Date: 27th – 29th August 2022
Suggested Read: 10 Best Day Trips From London To Explore This Extravagant Capital City In England!
9. Edinburgh People’s Festival: By The People And For The People
While shortlisting famous festivals in United Kingdom, it will be unfair to skip Edinburgh People’s Festival. Celebrated across the city, this is a cultural feast and talent hunt for local people. Other than this, Edinburgh People’s Festival also hosts marvellous exhibitions, seminars, talk shows and book fairs.
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
10. RHS Harvest Festival: Taste And Buy Organic Agricultural Produce
Among all, the most popular harvest festival in the United Kingdom is the one organized by the Royal Horticultural Society. Popular as RHS Harvest Festival, this is where the freshest organic vegetable and fruits are exhibited. The farmers and agricultural producers display their annual produce and people can see, taste and buy the products. Moreover, this is one of the most noteworthy UK festivals 2022 had seen, where award-winning varieties of pumpkins were displayed for all.
Location: London
Date: September 2022
11. Guy Fawkes Day
Also called the “Bonfire Night”, this festival is celebrated all over the UK on 5th November. Everywhere in the country, the British light bonfires as well as fireworks, mostly in their back gardens or streets. These days, they have also started lighting these at organized events in public parks. This festival is celebrated to commemorate the situation where Catholic Guy Fawkes’ had failed to blow up the Protestant Houses of Parliament on the 5th of November in 1605.
If you’re wondering what makes this one of the most happening festivals in the United Kingdom, you must get East Sussex town of Lewes on this day in the evening. Here you’ll see seven bonfire societies parade going through the town in vibrant costumes, and they’ll be carrying effigies including the Pope’s and Guy Fawkes’ along with and huge flaming crosses. It’s a sight that you wouldn’t want to miss! You’ll be able to see them roll down huge barrels of flaming tar down the streets while they march to the very edge of the town to light up these bonfires. Along with the bonfires here, you’ll also see them burning the effigies they were carrying and setting off spectacular fireworks.
Location: All across UK
Date: 5 November 2022
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12. Edinburgh Fringe Festival
The Fringe Festival is among the most important festivals of United Kingdom and is celebrated with 53,232 performances of 3,398 shows spread across 300 venues in Edinburgh. It’s among the largest arts festival in the whole world! It is organized during the last three weeks of August wherein famed performers take to the stage and the streets to showcase gigs of various genres for every taste and style of onlookers. You’ll be able to spot various top and popular performers and artists here, including various struggling artists wanting to earn some fame through this famous festival.
Location: Edinburgh
Date: 5th -29th August 2022
13. Sidmouth Folk Festival
The vivid Sidmouth Folk Festival is a week-long festival marked by folk music, dance, and song. It is held in the blissful East Devon regency resort of Sidmouth in the UK. It is among the most famous festivals celebrated in the United Kingdom with more than 700 different events organized at the town’s venues as well as on the streets. These events usually include a wide variety like concerts, ceilidh dancing, roots parties, master classes, and even dance displays. This festival offers the best British traditions and celebrations experience.
Location: Sidmouth
Date: 29th July – 5th August 2022
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14. Boomtown: Best Performances
Boomtown is another electrifying celebration of in the United Kingdom and is popularly known as the Boomtown Fair which is a hub of diverse and original music. This exclusive fair offers vibrant performances, theatre, fantasy, camaraderie, and escapism. So don’t forget to attend this festival if you are planning to stay in Winchester in the month of August.
Location: Winchester
Date: 11th -14th August 2022
15. Glastonbury Festival: Most Popular In UK
Glastonbury Festival is one of the most popular music festivals in the United Kingdom and is believed to be the biggest name in music due to its enormous Pyramid stage. The place ensures an electrifying line up every year with artists such as Miley Cyrus. The Killers, George Ezra, etc. performing here.
Location: Pilton
Date: 22nd -26th June 2022
Further Read: The Cairngorms National Park: A Scintillating Scottish Experience Amid Nature
All set to embark on your journey to the United Kingdom? Make sure you visit the country during the festive season to experience its beauty, culture, and hospitality. Plan your trip around these charming festivals in United Kingdom in 2022 to make the most of your holiday.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Festivals In United Kingdom
Still confused about which ones to attend? See if these common queries help you decide:
Does England have a Thanksgiving Day?
Thanksgiving is an American festival, so it is not really celebrated in the UK. It is, however, celebrated in London by some families.
What holidays are celebrated in the UK?
Some of the major holidays in the UK include the New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Christmas, and Boxing Day.
What holidays are celebrated in London?
New Year, Chinese New Year, Pancake Day, Boat Race, London Marathon, Chelsea Flower Show, Trooping the Colour, Meltdown Festival, Pride London, BBC Proms, Wireless Festival, Greenwich Comedy Festival, Notting Hill Carnival, The Mayor’s Thames Festival, BFI London Film Festival, Bonfire Night, London Jazz Festival, Lord Mayor’s Show, Remembrance Sunday, and Christmas are some of the most famous festivals of London.
What are the best festivals in the UK?
Hay Festival, Aldeburgh Festival, Glastonbury Festivals, etc. are amongst the most popular festivals in the UK.
What is the biggest festival in England?
The biggest festival in England was Greenfield Festival Glastonbury, it was the largest since 1970s.
What is the most famous festival in the United Kingdom?
Some of the festivals are: 1. Burns Night, Scotland, February 2. Jorvik Viking Festival, York, May 3. Jack in the Green, Hastings, May 4. Hay Festival, Hay-on-Wye, Wales, June 5. Aldeburgh Festival, Suffolk, June
What is Guy Fawkes Day?
Guy Fawkes Day is celebrated on 5th November, which is also known as Bonfire Night. It marks the anniversary of the plot discovery as organized by Catholic conspirators for blowing up the Houses of Parliament in London 1605. A lot of people light bonfires while setting off fireworks that mark the celebration of the day.
Does the UK have any new or updated festival?
Yes, United Kingdom does have a list of updated festivals that are celebrated with enjoyment and galore that includes Notting Hill Carnival, Robin Hood Festival, Jorvik Viking Festival, Burns Night, and Hogmanay and so on.
Is Diwali celebrated in the UK?
Yes, the United Kingdom does celebrate Diwali in the month of autumn while lighting the sky with fireworks. This is especially popular in Leicester.
How to attend festivals in the UK?
Check out the corresponding celebration date of the festival you want to attend and book your tickets accordingly. Stay in a convenient location to attend the celebrations without any hassle.
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A book lover and fun-loving, overtly emotional mom with a wanderlust soul, Sukanya has completed her Master Degree in Geography and currently perusing her passion for writing as a profession. Nothing detoxes her more than trying new recipes and travelling to offbeat places is ultimate Therapy for her.
