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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![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 […] -
![The Birnam Highland Games are held each year on the last Saturday in August and as well as all the events you could hope for in a traditional festival of […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/IMG_1617-115x115.jpg "Birnam World Championship Haggis Eating Competition")
Birnam World Championship Haggis Eating Competition
Posted on August 29, 2015 | No CommentsThe Birnam Highland Games are held each year on the last Saturday in August and as well as all the events you could hope for in a traditional festival of […] -
![The swans in the River Thames all belong either to the Sovereign or to the Worshipful Companies of Vintners or Dyers who were granted the privilege of ownership by the […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/IMG_1428-115x115.jpg "River Thames Swan Upping")
River Thames Swan Upping
Posted on July 20, 2015 | 12 CommentsThe swans in the River Thames all belong either to the Sovereign or to the Worshipful Companies of Vintners or Dyers who were granted the privilege of ownership by the […] -
![The Ancrum Handba’ is one of the traditional Shrovetide “Uppies & Downies” festival games in the Scottish Borders region, with two teams divided according to birthplace. The game was revived […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/IMG_0241-115x115.jpg "Ancrum Handba’")
Ancrum Handba’
Posted on February 28, 2015 | No CommentsThe Ancrum Handba’ is one of the traditional Shrovetide “Uppies & Downies” festival games in the Scottish Borders region, with two teams divided according to birthplace. The game was revived […] -
![The Bull Inn at Harpole (or rather, a gazebo outside it under modern smoking legislation) was the setting for an annual smoking competition every Shrove Tuesday. The event was believed […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/IMG_0153-115x115.jpg "Harpole Clay Pipe Smoking Contest")
Harpole Clay Pipe Smoking Contest
Posted on February 17, 2015 | No CommentsThe Bull Inn at Harpole (or rather, a gazebo outside it under modern smoking legislation) was the setting for an annual smoking competition every Shrove Tuesday. The event was believed […] -
![The New Year is welcomed in a unique and spectacular way at Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire – by a procession of about 45 brave folk who whirl blazing fireballs around their […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_0070-115x115.jpg "Stonehaven Fireballs")
Stonehaven Fireballs
Posted on January 1, 2015 | No CommentsThe New Year is welcomed in a unique and spectacular way at Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire – by a procession of about 45 brave folk who whirl blazing fireballs around their […] -
![The historic village of Ryton is the setting for an annual carol singing session with a difference. Each December on the Tuesday before Christmas Eve, the bells of Holy Cross […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Carols2-115x115.jpg "Ryton Carols at the Cross")
Ryton Carols at the Cross
Posted on December 23, 2014 | No CommentsThe historic village of Ryton is the setting for an annual carol singing session with a difference. Each December on the Tuesday before Christmas Eve, the bells of Holy Cross […]