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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Video Archive
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![Penzance is the setting for an annual revival of an ancient Cornish custom which vanished during the early years of the twentieth century: the Blowing of May Horns. Tin trumpets […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IMG_2911-115x115.jpg "Penzance May Horns")
Penzance May Horns
Posted on May 5, 2018 | No CommentsPenzance is the setting for an annual revival of an ancient Cornish custom which vanished during the early years of the twentieth century: the Blowing of May Horns. Tin trumpets […] -
![The Mapleton Bridge Jump saw brave souls launching themselves from the parapet of Okeover Bridge into the chilly waters of the River Dove about 30 feet beneath; they then swam […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Mapleton-Bridge-Jump-115x115.jpg "Mapleton Bridge Jump")
Mapleton Bridge Jump
Posted on January 1, 2018 | 3 CommentsThe Mapleton Bridge Jump saw brave souls launching themselves from the parapet of Okeover Bridge into the chilly waters of the River Dove about 30 feet beneath; they then swam […] -
![The World Pie Eating Championships take place at Harry’s Bar in Wigan around the middle of December. The winner is the person who manages to eat a standard pie fastest […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_9716-115x115.jpg "Wigan World Pie Eating Championships")
Wigan World Pie Eating Championships
Posted on December 20, 2017 | 20 CommentsThe World Pie Eating Championships take place at Harry’s Bar in Wigan around the middle of December. The winner is the person who manages to eat a standard pie fastest […] -
![A relative newcomer to the calendar of unusual sporting events in the UK is the London Pantomime Horse Race which has been running for several years now(not continuously, I hasten […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_9664-115x115.jpg "London Pantomime Horse Race")
London Pantomime Horse Race
Posted on December 10, 2017 | No CommentsA relative newcomer to the calendar of unusual sporting events in the UK is the London Pantomime Horse Race which has been running for several years now(not continuously, I hasten […] -
![Apple Howling is a revival of the ancient tradition of wassailing, the ritual to encourage the apple trees to produce a bumper crop – Howling is the local variant of […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_7686-115x115.jpg "Bolney Apple Howling")
Bolney Apple Howling
Posted on January 7, 2017 | 2 CommentsApple Howling is a revival of the ancient tradition of wassailing, the ritual to encourage the apple trees to produce a bumper crop – Howling is the local variant of […] -
![Boxing Day is when the Flamborough Sword Dancers perform around their home village. With origins in the local fishing community, the team are very well established and wear appropriate dark […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Flamborough-115x115.jpg "Flamborough Sword Dance")
Flamborough Sword Dance
Posted on December 26, 2016 | 2 CommentsBoxing Day is when the Flamborough Sword Dancers perform around their home village. With origins in the local fishing community, the team are very well established and wear appropriate dark […] -
![Every 21st December the custom of the Sheriff’s Riding takes place after dusk in York. Nowadays it’s a blend of two ancient traditions : that of the Sheriff’s Ride around […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2022-procession-3-115x115.jpeg "York Sheriff’s Riding")
York Sheriff’s Riding
Posted on December 21, 2016 | 17 CommentsEvery 21st December the custom of the Sheriff’s Riding takes place after dusk in York. Nowadays it’s a blend of two ancient traditions : that of the Sheriff’s Ride around […] -
![The herring harvest was of vital importance to the town of Eyemouth and the surrounding area, and every year the bounty of the sea is celebrated with a festival and […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/IMG_6467-115x115.jpg "Eyemouth Herring Queen Festival")
Eyemouth Herring Queen Festival
Posted on July 16, 2016 | 2 CommentsThe herring harvest was of vital importance to the town of Eyemouth and the surrounding area, and every year the bounty of the sea is celebrated with a festival and […] -
![Heaving or lifting used to be a common Easter custom countrywide, which has largely disappeared over time. Its origins are obscure but it usually involved teams lifting a member of […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Av-115x115.jpg "Greenwich Easter Monday Lifting")
Greenwich Easter Monday Lifting
Posted on March 28, 2016 | No CommentsHeaving or lifting used to be a common Easter custom countrywide, which has largely disappeared over time. Its origins are obscure but it usually involved teams lifting a member of […] -
![Hurling is the Cornish form of the festival handball/mass football games that typically take place around Shrovetide or Easter. The balls used are small like Scottish handballs but are encased […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/IMG_5284-115x115.jpg "St Columb Hurling")
St Columb Hurling
Posted on February 9, 2016 | 2 CommentsHurling is the Cornish form of the festival handball/mass football games that typically take place around Shrovetide or Easter. The balls used are small like Scottish handballs but are encased […]