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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![When the rest of the country is setting off fireworks and bonfires on Guy Fawkes Night, the villagers at Shebbear attack a huge boulder on the green with crowbars. They […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/devon-shebbear-devils-stone-inn-sign1-115x115.jpg "Shebbear Turning the Devils Stone")
Shebbear Turning the Devils Stone
Posted on November 5, 2014 | 19 CommentsWhen the rest of the country is setting off fireworks and bonfires on Guy Fawkes Night, the villagers at Shebbear attack a huge boulder on the green with crowbars. They […] -
![Each August Bank Holiday Monday, a unique football game takes place in the River Windrush at Bourton on the Water. Play is between teams from local side Bourton Rovers and […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_4324-115x115.jpg "Bourton on the Water Football in the River")
Bourton on the Water Football in the River
Posted on August 25, 2014 | No CommentsEach August Bank Holiday Monday, a unique football game takes place in the River Windrush at Bourton on the Water. Play is between teams from local side Bourton Rovers and […] -
![The Rushbearing custom at Great Musgrave is one of only a handful which still survive; the origins of the custom lie in the days when the church floor would be […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_3706-115x115.jpg "Great Musgrave Rushbearing")
Great Musgrave Rushbearing
Posted on July 5, 2014 | No CommentsThe Rushbearing custom at Great Musgrave is one of only a handful which still survive; the origins of the custom lie in the days when the church floor would be […] -
![Spaw Sunday is a celebration of the local water supply in a custom closely related to Well Dressing (see separate article), recently revived after a break. Three areas are currently […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/IMG_3411-115x115.jpg "Calderdale & Gunthwaite Spaw Sunday")
Calderdale & Gunthwaite Spaw Sunday
Posted on May 4, 2014 | 4 CommentsSpaw Sunday is a celebration of the local water supply in a custom closely related to Well Dressing (see separate article), recently revived after a break. Three areas are currently […] -
![As well as hosting the World Coal Carrying Championships (see separate article), the village of Gawthorpe in Yorkshire is famed for its annual Maypole Celebrations, held on the first Saturday […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/DSC_2168-115x115.jpg "Gawthorpe Maypole")
Gawthorpe Maypole
Posted on May 3, 2014 | 2 CommentsAs well as hosting the World Coal Carrying Championships (see separate article), the village of Gawthorpe in Yorkshire is famed for its annual Maypole Celebrations, held on the first Saturday […] -
![This annual test of endurance sees people racing up to the village maypole whilst carring sacks of coal on their shoulders.For the men the sacks weigh 50 kg/1cwt and for […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMG_3252-115x115.jpg "Gawthorpe World Coal Carrying Championship")
Gawthorpe World Coal Carrying Championship
Posted on April 21, 2014 | 4 CommentsThis annual test of endurance sees people racing up to the village maypole whilst carring sacks of coal on their shoulders.For the men the sacks weigh 50 kg/1cwt and for […] -
![In the past this was a charity dole of money and food given only to poor widows of the parish of St Bartholomew the Great at Smithfield in London, but […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMG_3205-115x115.jpg "London Butterworth Charity & Widows Sixpence")
London Butterworth Charity & Widows Sixpence
Posted on April 19, 2014 | 1 CommentIn the past this was a charity dole of money and food given only to poor widows of the parish of St Bartholomew the Great at Smithfield in London, but […] -
![The Widow’s Son was a pub with a great legend – the resident lady’s sailor son was due home from voyage on Good Friday so she baked him a hot […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMG_3212-115x115.jpg "London Widow’s Bun Ceremony")
London Widow’s Bun Ceremony
Posted on April 18, 2014 | 4 CommentsThe Widow’s Son was a pub with a great legend – the resident lady’s sailor son was due home from voyage on Good Friday so she baked him a hot […] -
![As the name implies, this is a fun-run for people in Santa costumes, held annually in early December. There are other Santa Runs at venues around the country but this […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_2848-115x115.jpg "London Santa Run (and similar events)")
London Santa Run (and similar events)
Posted on December 7, 2013 | No CommentsAs the name implies, this is a fun-run for people in Santa costumes, held annually in early December. There are other Santa Runs at venues around the country but this […] -
![Every Easter Monday, a gruelling race is held at the pretty village of Hedley on the Hill in rural Northumberland. Competitors in teams of three must carry an empty 9 […]](https://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG_1587-115x115.jpg "Hedley Barrel Race")
Hedley Barrel Race
Posted on April 1, 2013 | No CommentsEvery Easter Monday, a gruelling race is held at the pretty village of Hedley on the Hill in rural Northumberland. Competitors in teams of three must carry an empty 9 […]