December

December sees the shortest day and the end of the year as well as the major celebration of Christmas. Feasting, fire, parties and family celebrations are all widespread in the season of goodwill to all men….and perhaps surprisingly, outdoor swimming events!


Some events take place on exactly the same date every year, regardless of which day of the week they fall upon. The following table shows events which are fixed in this way:

DayEventArticle
1Advent Calendar DayArticle
All month from 1Advent Windows including AskriggArticle
6Alcester St Nicholas NightArticle
21Brighton Burning the ClocksArticle
21Penzance Montol FestivalArticle
21York Sheriff's RidingArticle
21/22Stonehenge Winter SolsticeArticle
23Mousehole Tom Bawcock's EveArticle
24Dunster & Axmouth Ashen FaggotArticle
24Richmond Poor Old HossArticle
24Dewsbury Tolling the Devil's KnellArticle
25Bucks Green Christmas Horse CustomArticle
25Christmas DayArticle
25Christmas Day DipArticle
25Christmas FareArticle
25Kirkwall Ba Article
25London Peter Pan CupArticle
25Ripon Christmas Day ApplesArticle
25Sherborne Christmas Penny DoleArticle
26Bedford Boar's Head CeremonyArticle
26Boxing Day DipArticle
26Boxing DayArticle
26Middleton (Suffolk) Cutty Wren CeremonyArticle
26 and Late in MonthDerby TupArticle
26Flamborough Sword DanceArticle
26Geddington Boxing Day SquirtArticle
26Grantchester Barrel RaceArticle
26Greatham Sword DanceArticle
26Grenoside Sword DanceArticle
26Handsworth Sword DanceArticle
26Knaresborough Tug-of-WarArticle
26Ludlow Tug-of-WarArticle
26 Marshfield Paper BoysArticle
26Matlock Raft RaceArticle
26Pagham Pram RaceArticle
26Scarborough Fishermen & Firemen Football MatchArticle
26Silsoe Boxing DayArticle
26Waltham Cross Bakers & Sweeps Football MatchArticle
26Winchelsea Streete GameArticle
26Windlesham Pram RaceArticle
27Sheffield Mary Parsons CharityArticle
31Allendale Tar BarrelsArticle
31Barlaston WassailArticle
31Comrie Flambeaux ProcessionArticle
31Edinburgh HogmanayArticle
31Flamborough Fire FestivalArticle
31Llangynwyd Mari LwydArticle
31Mountain Ash Nos Galan Road RacesArticle
31Newburgh Oddfellows ParadeArticle
31Stonehaven FireballsArticle
31 Stromness Log PullArticle

Some event dates differ from year to year in order for them to fall on a weekend or during a particular week of the year, for example the 3rd week in January. The following table shows events where dates may vary in this manner:

DateEventArticle
Mid November to late DecemberCotehele Christmas GarlandArticle
Late November/ early DecemberAldermaston Candle AuctionArticle
Late November to early DecemberChristmas Light Switch-onsArticle
Late November and DecemberChristmas Tree FestivalsArticle
Late November to late DecemberSunderland IlluminationsArticle
Late November to early JanuaryChristmastide MummersArticle
Late November to early January (but most often during December)Christingle ServicesArticle
Friday in late November/early DecemberKeele Christmas Tree Throwing ChampionshipsArticle
A Sunday in late November/ early DecemberNewtown Santa RunArticle
A Sunday in late November or early DecemberHaworth Scroggling the HollyArticle
Evenings early in monthAstbury Live NativityArticle
Early DecemberChester Jones Ale SoulcakersArticle
All MonthYorkshire Local CarolsArticle
Most of MonthPantomimeArticle
Saturday nearest 1stTenbury Wells Mistletoe Festival /National Mistletoe DayArticle
1st Saturday in the MonthDurham Children's Lantern Parade and St Nicholas ServiceArticle
1st Saturday in the MonthLondon Great Christmas Pudding RaceArticle
1st Saturday in the MonthLondon Santa RunArticle
1st Saturday in MonthWhitby Krampus RunArticle
1st Weekend in the MonthDerby Bonnie Prince Charlie WeekendArticle
1st MondayBrightlingsea Choosing DayArticle
Weekend early in monthRochester Dickens FestivalArticle
Thursdays early in MonthChester Winter Watch ParadeArticle
A Sunday in early DecemberSingleton Weald and Downland Museum Tree Dressing DayArticle
Sunday near 6thCanterbury St Nicholas ServiceArticle
Weekend near 6th DecemberSalisbury Chorister BishopArticle
Sunday near 6th DecemberHereford Boy BishopArticle
Sunday near 6thRipon Chorister BishopArticle
Saturday in early to mid DecemberRichmond Christmas Shilling Audit MoneyArticle
Near 13thSankta Lucia ServicesArticle
Weekday mid-MonthGlastonbury Cutting CeremonyArticle
Thursday mid-MonthChester SaturnaliaArticle
Weekend mid-MonthFestive Truck & Tractor Runs including SedgefieldArticle
Mid-monthWigan World Pie Eating ChampionshipsArticle
1st Sunday after 12thBroughton Tin Can BandArticle
A Sunday mid to late in month (before Christmas)London Pantomime Horse Grand NationalArticle
21st or very near dateLincoln Crying ChristmasArticle
Tuesday before Christmas EveRyton Carols at the CrossArticle
Late December (pre- Christmas)Kimberley Poor Owd OssArticle
Late December (pre-Christmas)St Nicholas HoodenersArticle
Near 30thBattle of Wakefield CommemorationArticle
Late December to mid-JanuaryWassailingArticle