![Every 5th November the streets of Ottery St Mary are lit by blazing tar barrels, carried by the residents of the town; the barrels weigh 30kg and are carried at […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/IMG_9214-426x250.jpg "Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels")
![This is an ancient custom dating back hundreds of years -nobody knows exactly how long but it’s reputedly one of the oldest traditions in Europe. It starts with a simple […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/IMG_7518-480x250.jpg "Abbots Bromley Horn Dance")
Welcome to Calendar Customs!
This site aims to list the wide variety of traditional and unusual events that take place each year in the UK and to help visitors take part in them. Each event has its own page giving details of its timing and location, as well as a very brief history and notes on what to expect. Enjoy!
#AdvertismentBrowse all Customs by Month
![Haxey Hood is one of the ancient mass-participation festival games and is the earliest in the year, sometimes taking place in snow. Instead of a football, the players use “hoods” […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/The-Fool-is-Smoked-640x250.jpg "Haxey Hood")
Haxey Hood
Haxey Hood is one of the ancient mass-participation festival games and is the earliest in the year, sometimes taking place in snow. Instead of a football, the players use “hoods” […]
Featured Stories
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![The Bramleys Seedling cooking apple is one of the most celebrated fruit varieties of all time, and it all began in Southwell in Nottinghamshire. The original tree was grown in […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/IMG_0640-195x110.jpeg "Southwell Bramley Apple Festival")
Southwell Bramley Apple Festival
The Bramleys Seedling cooking apple is one of the most celebrated fruit varieties of all time, and it all began in Southwell in Nottinghamshire. The original tree was grown in […]
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![The name of the annual fair at Sherborne in Dorset is believed to derive from the fifteenth century masons finishing work in the magnificent Abbey in the town, who packed […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/IMG_4185-195x110.jpg "Sherborne Pack Monday Fair and Teddy Roe’s Band")
Sherborne Pack Monday Fair and Teddy Roe’s Band
The name of the annual fair at Sherborne in Dorset is believed to derive from the fifteenth century masons finishing work in the magnificent Abbey in the town, who packed […]
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![Hallowe’en is the day on which all things macabre are celebrated in the UK. Its origins are obscure but today you are likely to find widespread fancy dress (particularly in […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/IMG_7677-195x110.jpg "Hallowe’en and related events including Hexham Spook Night")
Hallowe’en and related events including Hexham Spook Night
Hallowe’en is the day on which all things macabre are celebrated in the UK. Its origins are obscure but today you are likely to find widespread fancy dress (particularly in […]
Averil's Picks
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Dance
Chepstow Wassail and Mari Lwyd
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Ancient Custom
Dunmow Flitch Trials
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Dance
Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival
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December
Chester Saturnalia
2 Comments