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!
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Archive for December, 2015
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![The ancient custom of the Cutty Wren was revived in the 1990s by Old Glory Molly Dancers of Middleton in Suffolk. It was traditional for the Hunting of the Wren […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4994-115x115.jpg "Middleton (Suffolk) Cutty Wren Ceremony")
Middleton (Suffolk) Cutty Wren Ceremony
Posted on December 26, 2015 | 1 CommentThe ancient custom of the Cutty Wren was revived in the 1990s by Old Glory Molly Dancers of Middleton in Suffolk. It was traditional for the Hunting of the Wren […] -
![The Marshfield Paper Boys perform a traditional mummers play every Boxing Day in their village. It’s a typical hero/combat play involving a sword-fight and the revival of the defeated protagonist […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_4962-115x115.jpg "Marshfield Paper Boys")
Marshfield Paper Boys
Posted on December 26, 2015 | 5 CommentsThe Marshfield Paper Boys perform a traditional mummers play every Boxing Day in their village. It’s a typical hero/combat play involving a sword-fight and the revival of the defeated protagonist […] -
![The Ashen Faggot is a West Country Christmas custom – it’s a large log with withies bound around it to make a bundle which is burned indoors in the hearth. […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Faggot-115x115.jpg "Dunster & Axmouth Ashen Faggot")
Dunster & Axmouth Ashen Faggot
Posted on December 24, 2015 | No CommentsThe Ashen Faggot is a West Country Christmas custom – it’s a large log with withies bound around it to make a bundle which is burned indoors in the hearth. […] -
![December 23rd isn’t just the day before Christmas Eve in Mousehole….it’s Tom Bawcock’s Eve. Tom was a local fisherman who braved the midwinter weather to land a fine catch on […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Mousehole-115x115.jpg "Mousehole Tom Bawcock’s Eve")
Mousehole Tom Bawcock’s Eve
Posted on December 23, 2015 | 2 CommentsDecember 23rd isn’t just the day before Christmas Eve in Mousehole….it’s Tom Bawcock’s Eve. Tom was a local fisherman who braved the midwinter weather to land a fine catch on […] -
![Saint Lucy or Sankta Lucia Services are held at a growing number of locations throughout the UK, though the origins of the festival lie in Scandinavia. St Lucy was a […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Sankta-Lucia-115x115.jpg "Sankta Lucia Services")
Sankta Lucia Services
Posted on December 12, 2015 | No CommentsSaint Lucy or Sankta Lucia Services are held at a growing number of locations throughout the UK, though the origins of the festival lie in Scandinavia. St Lucy was a […] -
![St Nicholas’ feast day is 6th December, and he is the patron saint of sailors and brewers amongst other professions but is best known for his role as patron saint […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Canterbury-St-Nicholas-115x115.jpg "Canterbury St Nicholas Service")
Canterbury St Nicholas Service
Posted on December 12, 2015 | 2 CommentsSt Nicholas’ feast day is 6th December, and he is the patron saint of sailors and brewers amongst other professions but is best known for his role as patron saint […] -
![Every December, Bonnie Prince Charlie was remembered in Derbyshire, as Swarkestone Bridge near Derby was the most southerly point reached by his invading army in 1745 . Prince Charles Edward […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IMG_4376-115x115.jpg "Derby Bonnie Prince Charlie Weekend")
Derby Bonnie Prince Charlie Weekend
Posted on December 12, 2015 | 6 CommentsEvery December, Bonnie Prince Charlie was remembered in Derbyshire, as Swarkestone Bridge near Derby was the most southerly point reached by his invading army in 1745 . Prince Charles Edward […] -
![A relatively modern but very widespread custom is the ceremonial switch-on of Christmas lights in towns and cities and even small villages throughout the land. While the honour of being […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IMG_2300-115x115.jpg "Christmas Light Switch-On Events")
Christmas Light Switch-On Events
Posted on December 7, 2015 | No CommentsA relatively modern but very widespread custom is the ceremonial switch-on of Christmas lights in towns and cities and even small villages throughout the land. While the honour of being […] -
![As well as a Midsummer Watch, the city of Chester holds an annual festival in midwinter; unlike the June event which is held in the afternoon, Winter Watch takes place […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IMG_4438-115x115.jpg "Chester Mid Winter Watch Parade")
Chester Mid Winter Watch Parade
Posted on December 3, 2015 | 2 CommentsAs well as a Midsummer Watch, the city of Chester holds an annual festival in midwinter; unlike the June event which is held in the afternoon, Winter Watch takes place […] -
![The First Fruits Ceremony at Richmond in Yorkshire is a harvest celebration which takes place annually in mid September. Most harvest festivals are primarily ecclesiastical, but this one is a […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IMG_6998-115x115.jpg "Richmond First Fruits Ceremony")
Richmond First Fruits Ceremony
Posted on December 3, 2015 | No CommentsThe First Fruits Ceremony at Richmond in Yorkshire is a harvest celebration which takes place annually in mid September. Most harvest festivals are primarily ecclesiastical, but this one is a […]