Wherever you go in the UK, you’ll be sure of a fantastic time with a wide range of activities and attractions to keep you entertained, but there are of course, a few big things you need to experience, so make sure these are in your diary.
January
The big event to look out for in England is New Year’s Day. Head to London for the New Year’s Day Parade which features performers all across the city kicking off at 12 pm.
Of course, for those of you visiting Scotland, Hogmany on New Year’s Eve is a must. You’ll find plenty of opportunities to celebrate! Also in Scotland, Burns Night is the celebration of the birthday of Robert Burns and is the day that haggis, neeps and tatties is traditionally eaten. What’s more, in 2019 it is the 260th anniversary of Burns’ birth!
Take a look at all the events going on in January here.
February
Aside from Valentine’s Day, there are some pretty spectacular events going on in February around the UK, for instance, the RBS Six Nations Rugby starts on 1st February running all the way through to 16th March. The matches primarily take place in Cardiff, London and Edinburgh, so you’ll have lots of opportunity to do sight seeing and exploring some of the other events being held in the cities. Chinese New Year is another celebration the UK likes to take part in, head to London for the annual parade on 10th February and there are events all over Chinatown, Trafalgar Square and the West End many of which are free.
Also in London during February is London Fashion Week which is a must for the fashion savvy of you. Many of the capital’s museums hold exhibits for the show which are free to attend and there are events going on to mark it.
Up North in Yorkshire, you can go to the Dark Skies Festival on the Dales which include lots of events and activities from 15th February until 3rd March.
See more events in February.
March
St David’s Day is on the 1st March which is always recognised in Wales, so be sure to visit the country for some celebrations! For those that like horse racing, the Cheltenham Festival takes place 12th – 15th March. If only some of your party are into horse racing, the rest of you can enjoy some of the events going on in Cheltenham.
St Patrick’s Day is on 17th March, there is a parade in London, plus venues all across the UK for you to join in.
Check out what else is happening in March here.
April
The Grand National takes place in April, it is one of the world’s famous horse races. Ladies’ Day takes place on the 5th April with the rest of the race going on until 7th.
Another big event this month is the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race on 7th, it is one of the oldest sporting events in the world and is watched by thousands. Shakespeare’s birthday and St George’s Day both take place on 23rd April and there are events celebrating all across the country. The London Marathon takes place this month too.
See more events here.
May
It’s a big month for football and flower fans, the FA Cup Final takes place on 18th May and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is 21st-25th. If you’re not actually at either of these events, there are still lots of fun things for you to do. The Cricket World Cup is at the end of the month, with games being hosted in Birmingham, Bristol, Taunton, London, Leeds and Manchester among others.
If you’re looking for a festival this month, the Bath Festival takes place over seventeen days starting in May and consists of music and literature all over the beautiful Georgian city. While you’re in the South, a very traditional English event is taking place on 27th, Cheese Rolling in Gloucester, where people throw themselves down the steep Coopers Hill in pursuit of cheese. Find out more about what is going on in May here.
June
June sees the start of summer and therefore, Festival season. The Isle of Wight Festival is between 13th and 16th June with several chart topping acts on the billing.
Royal Ascot is also taking place this month, a major event in the British sporting and social calendar. Trooping the Colour is a Great British Tradition that takes place on the Queen’s Birthday in June. If you’ve never seen the parade of military officers and performers, it is one not to be missed. The Summer Solstice at Stonehenge is another big event this month as is Glastonbury Festival right at the end of the month Stormzy is the first of the big names to be confirmed with many more to come! Find out more here.
July
Wimbledon kicks off the month with the first two weeks being dedicated to tennis. If you’re a tennis fan you’ll want to look out for tickets but if not, there will be plenty more in the area for you to get involved with. The Grand Prix also takes place this month as does the World Snail Racing Championships. If you’re in Wales, be sure to check out the Royal Welsh Show, one of the best agriculture events in the UK. There are more festivals to attend with both Bestival and the BBC Proms taking place.
There are also Pride Festivals going on all across the country starting from July, so be sure to watch out for those.
Planning a trip in July? Take a look at the listings here.
August
Brighton Pride starts off the month with a parade as well as top musical performances. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is also this month going on until the end of August. In Bristol, the International Balloon Fiesta is one of the city’s largest outdoor events and there are some spectacular displays.
If you’re not quite ready for Festival season to be over, Reading and Leeds Festival are held over 23-25 of August and feature popular bands like the 1975 and twenty one pilots. For those of you in London, Notting Hill Carnival is at the end of the month with great music, displays, Caribbean food and more. See more.
September
School might be back, but there is still plenty to do around the UK, why not make it educational and take part in Bath’s Jane Austen Festival which is an immersive experience around the streets of the city? Or head to Blackpool for the annual light show. The month ends with the Last Night at the Proms, one of the biggest classical music festivals on earth held in London’s Hyde Park.
See more happening in September.
October
You already know about Halloween this month, but make sure you also look out for events such as Northamptonshire’s Conker Championships to take you back to childhood or the BFI London Film Festival. Book lovers will want to head to Cheltenham for the Literature Festival which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, plus the Turner Prize starts its hunt for a winner this month.
See more events here.
November
Wherever you are, you’ll be able to find Firework Displays for Bon Fire Night around the 5th November, speaking of lighting up the skies, the Lumiere Light Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary this year in Durham and in Scotland, you’ll be able to join in St Andrew’s Day events.
November is also when the Christmas events start kicking off with Christmas Markets, Pantomimes and more appearing all over the country. If you’re in London, Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland will open its gates this month, while in Wiltshire Longleat will once again be holding their Festival of Light.
More here.
December
Of course it is all about Christmas this month, Hogmany will again take place at the end of the month and there are all sorts of Winter Festivals and Christmas events to be had.
Be sure to keep an eye out for what is going on near you!
