This calendar contains details of religious festivals, national and commemorative days, bank holidays and other events of cultural and diversity significance.
It covers the period from April 2008 to March 2009 inclusive. All dates are shown using the Gregorian (Western) calendar. Some dates may vary regionally because they are determined by the lunar calendar.
Jewish festivals usually begin at sundown on the previous day. National holidays and major religious festivals are included for all nationalities and religions represented by our customers.
March
7th March - Hari Nyepi, New Year, (Hindu)
All of Bali will retreat into silence for 24 hours. Hindus here will not cook, work, travel or indulge in sex, in a collective attempt to purify the entire island. There will be no flights into Bali or out on this day and none will pick up the telephone. Shops will remain closed and all streets deserted. No light will be switched on even after the sun has set, as the island involves itself in mass meditation to restore balance between the forces of evil and good.
8th March - Women’s Day —Russia (Secular)
Every year, the UN declares this day to celebrate women and the accomplishments they have made to society. Other than in the former Soviet republics, it is not celebrated much throughout the world. It is traditional on this holiday to present women with gifts and flowers to express appreciation for their work, love and devotion.
14th New Year (Sikh)
This begins the new year 540 of the Nanakshahi Era for the Sikhs, one of the largest religious groups in India. The first year of the Nanakshahi Era is 1469, the year of birth of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak.
16th March - Palm Sunday (Christian)
The start of Holy Week
17th March - St Patrick's Day (Irish)
The death anniversary of their patron saint. He used the three-leaved shamrock to explain the Christian idea of the Holy Trinity, thus the idea of wearing a shamrock.
20th March - Now Rouz, New Year, Iran.
This is the traditional new year, coming at the time of the spring equinox and marking year 1387. The two days before Now Rouz are celebrated as holidays, as are the thirteen days following Now Rouz. Fireworks are set off on New Year’s Eve, symbolizing the victory of fire over darkness, a re-enactment of the moment of Creation. On New Year’s morning, children are given gold coins, cakes, and decorated hard-boiled eggs, symbolizing fruitfulness and the renewal of the world.
20th March - Milad-un-Nabi (Islam)
Islamic celebration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad in 570bc.
21st March - Good Friday (Christian and Common Law Holiday)
Commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Also a Bank Holiday.
21st March – Holi, Festival of Colours (Sikh & Hindu)
A Spring festival celebrating creation and renewal. According to myth, a tyrannical king's son, Pralad, refused to worship his father as God and was condemned to death by burning. However, the boy's aunt, named Holika, transferred her own immunity from fire to Prahlad, and burned to death in his place. This festival of colour celebrates spring, where people play with liquid and powdered colours, light bonfires and blow horns to celebrate the destruction of Holika.
21st March - International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination – UN (Secular)
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid "pass laws". It represents efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.
22nd March - Memorial of Christ's Death (Jehovah Witness)
The only religious festival marked and celebrated by Jehovah's Witnesses
22nd March Hola Mohalla, Lunar Calendar (Sikh)
Hola Mohalla is a festival that takes place on the first of the lunar month of Chet which usually falls in March. It is used as an occasion for the Sikhs to demonstrate their martial skills in simulated battles.
23rd March - Easter Sunday (Christian)
Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
24th March- Easter Monday Bank Holiday (Secular)
Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and is celebrated as a holiday in some largely Christian cultures. Formerly, the post-Easter festivities involved a week of secular celebration, but this was reduced to one day in the 19th century. Events include egg rolling competitions and, in predominantly Catholic countries, dousing other people with water which, at one time, had been holy blessed the day before at Easter Sunday Mass and carried home to bless the house and food
25th March - Greek Independent Day (Secular)
Independence was finally granted by the Treaty of Constantinople in July 1832. The Greeks were thus the first of the Ottoman Empire's subject peoples to secure recognition as an independent sovereign power. The anniversary of Independence Day, on 25th March 1821. Greeks commemorates the refusal of the Greek ruler Ioannis Metaxas to accede to Mussolini's 1940 ultimatum that Greece allow Axis forces to enter Greek territory or otherwise face war. This is a public holiday in Greece and Cyprus
April
7th April - World Health Day - UN (secular)
World Health Day on 7 April marks the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO). It is an occasion to raise awareness of key global health issues. The aim of the Day is to urge governments, organizations and businesses to "Invest in health, build a safer future".
13th April – Vaisakhi (Sikh)
A New Year celebrating the founding of the Khalsa order of the Guru. The first day of the solar year, this is an agricultural festival celebrating the harvest especially in North India. Especially important to the Sikhs, it marks this day in 1699, when the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, established the order of "Khalsa". The festival is a mixture of feasting, dancing and worship.
13th April – Songkran (Buddhist)
In southeast Asia, Songkran is recognized as the New Year for Buddhists. For Thais, it is a three-day religious festival in which homes are routinely cleaned, and water is sprinkled on monks paying visits and on statues of Buddha.
14th April – Ramanavami (Hindu)
Start of an 8-day celebration of the birth of Lord Rama. It is a Hindu holiday that falls on the ninth day of the Hindu Lunar year (or Chaitra Masa Suklapaksha Navami) and is a celebration of the birthday of the Hindu god Rama. People normally perform Kalyanotsavam (marriage celebration) in their houses, and at the end of the day the deity is taken to a procession on the streets
20th April – Pesach Passover (Jewish)
An eight-day celebration of the exodus of the commemorates the time of Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. It begins with a ritual meal "Seder" when no leavened bread is consumed and is celebrated for eight.
23rd April- St George's Day (Secular)
St. George's Day is celebrated by several nations of whom Saint George is the patron saint, including England, Portugal, Georgia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Republic of Macedonia. For England, St. George's Day also marks its National Day. Most countries who observe St. George's Day celebrate it on 23rd April, the traditionally accepted date of Saint George's death in 303.
23rd March - Republic Day, Pakistan (secular)
In its struggle for independence from Great Britain, India had an internal conflict as well between its Hindu and Muslim populations, each wanting a separate area over which it could rule. Under the provisions of the Indian Independence Act from Great Britain, two states, a predominantly Hindu India and a predominantly Muslim Pakistan, were established. On this day in 1956, Pakistan declared itself an Islamic republic. It is a public holiday in Pakistan.
25th-27th April -Gathering of Nations Pow Wow (Native American)
Albuquerque, New Mexico is the venue of over 600 tribes and nations participating in a three-day event where over 4,000 participants share, teach and exchange traditions with each other.
25th April – Liberation Day, Italy (Secular)
It commemorates the liberation of Italy by Allied troops in the Second World War. The holiday is meant to honour all those who died during the war, from soldiers fighting overseas to civilian victims of Allied bombings and atrocities committed during Nazi Germany's bitter retreat from its former ally's territory. The lives of those who served as partisans in the Italian Resistance are especially honoured. It is a days public holiday.
27th April - Easter (Christian)
Orthodox Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ following his death from Crucifixion. Most Christians welcome Easter Sunday with a sunrise service
28th April – Easter Monday (Christian)
Easter Monday is a Christian event that commemorates the meeting of the women at Jesus' tomb with an angel who assured them that Jesus had been resurrected from death.
May
1st May - Labour Day - International (secular)
May 1st, International Workers' Day, commemorates the historic struggle of working people throughout the world. Public holiday in Russia.
5th May - May Day Bank Holiday (secular)
May Day is May 1st, and refers to any of several holidays celebrated on this day. These holidays include for example several pagan celebrations and the celebration of the Blessed Virgin mary in Roman Catholic tradition. Although the pagan-oriented celebrations faded as Europe became Christianised, a more secular version of the holiday continued to be observed in the schools and churches of Europe well into the 20th century. In this form, May Day may be best known for its tradition of dancing the Maypole and crowning of the Queen of the May. It is when people celebrate the coming of summer with lots of different customs that are expressions of joy and hope after a long winter. A traditional May day dance is known as Maypole Dancing. On May day, people used to cut down young trees and stick them in the ground in the village to mark the arrival of summer. The oldest May Day celebration still taking place to day, is the Padstow 'Obby 'Oss celebration in Cornwall, its roots dating back to the 14th century.
8th May, Victory Day or Victoire (Secular)
Is a public holiday in France top commemorate the allied victory in Europe during the Second World War.
9th May –Victory Day, Russia/Poland (Secular)
Is a public holiday celebrating the victory over Nazi Germany, while remembering those who fell in order to achieve it. 9 May was chosen, since in the night from 8th to 9th 1945 the German military surrendered to the Soviet Union and its Allies in Berlin (Karlshorst), for people in Russia this happened on the 9th (time change). A military parade is usually held in Moscow to celebrate the day.
18th May - Waisak Day, Indonesia (Buddhist)
This is a Bhuddist holiday to celebrate the anniversary of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Bhuddism. Three major historical events are celebrated on Waisak. The first is the birth of Siddhartha Gautama. The second is the acceptance of the divine revelation under the Bodhi tree and the third is the journey of Siddhartha Gautama to heaven. It is a Public Holiday in Indonesia.
20th May - Wesak (Buddha Day)
The most important Buddhist festival, Wesak celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha as one event. Different cultures observe this day with different customs; for example, Sri Lankans light lanterns, Vietnamese purchase captive animals and release them, and Koreans host a lantern parade.
26th May Spring Bank Holiday (Secular)
Generally, public holidays include bank holidays, holidays by Royal Proclamation and 'common law holidays'. The name Bank Holiday comes from the time when banks were shut and so no trading could take place. British bank holidays are Public Holidays and have been recognized since 1871. In England and Wales there are six bank holidays and two common law holidays.
June
Gay & Lesbian Pride Month (secular)
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Events are celebrated by communities across Canada and the Untied States on different dates during June through to early August.
8th June - Tuen Ng Dragon Boat Festival (Chinese)
Honours the patriot poet Chu Yuan who drowned himself in the Milo River, south of China in protest of the political injustice in 277 BC. The villagers raced to the river and jumped in dragon boats but never found him. As they searched, they beat drums to scare off fish and dragons that might attack his mortal remains. It is a holiday celebrated by boat races in the shape of dragons.
9th June – Shavuot Feast of the Weeks (Islam)
Called the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost, which means 50, and therefore celebrated on the 50th day at the end of Passover. Shavuot celebrates the time when the Ten Commandments were given to Moses on Mount Sinai.
12th June - Russia Day (secular)
Is a holiday of national unity celebrating Russian parliament formally declaring its sovereignty.
13th June - Baisakhi - Solar New Year (Hindu, Sikhs)
The first day of the solar year, this is an agricultural festival celebrating the harvest especially in North India. Especially important to the Sikhs, it marks this day in 1699, when the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, established the order of "Khalsa". The festival is a mixture of feasting, dancing and worship.
13th June - Songkran (Buddist)
In southeast Asia, Songkran is recognized as the New Year for Buddhists. For Thais, it is a three-day religious festival in which homes are routinely cleaned, and water is sprinkled on monks paying visits and on statues of Buddha.
20th June - Summer Solstice (Secualar)
The longest day of the year, when the Sun is at its most northern point in the sky.
23rd June - African Liberation Day (Secualar)
A day of celebration of the many achievements and victories of African people worldwide and a rededication to their current struggle for freedom, justice and unity.
28th June - Stonewell Rebellion Day, Gay & Lesbians (secular)
Commemorates the anniversary of the protest against police harassment in New York City's Greenwich Village in 1969. The event has been commemorated by Pride Parades and Festivals held each year in New York City on the last Sunday in June. Events and Pride Parades are held in many metropolitan cities throughout the US and Canada.
July
14th July - Bastille Day (Secular)
A national holiday in France. It commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, when prisoners were set free, thus ending the French Monarchy. The French Revolution resulted in France becoming a republic nation.
18th July - Asalha Puja, Dharma Day (Buddhist)
Buddhist celebration ofGantama Buddha’s first teaching.
August
12th August -International Youth Day - UN (Secular)
International Youth Day gives the world an opportunity to recognize the potential of youth, to celebrate their achievements, and plan for ways to better engage young people to successfully take action in the development of their societies. It presents a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to rally together to ensure that young people are included in decision-making at all levels.
15th August – Ferragosto, Italy (Christian)
Next to Christmas, Easter, and New Years, Ferragosto is one of the most celebrated holidays in Italy. It celebrates the rise of Mary up to heaven to join her son Jesus, taking her place by his side to look after those of us remaining here on Earth. It is a day of great festivities with celebrations in the streets and prayers to the Virgin Mary for thanks and support. All of Italy shuts down to celebrate Ferragosto.
25th August - Late Summer Bank Holiday
A Secular Holiday
28th Aug - Janmashtami (Hindu)
Hindu celebration of the appearance on earth of Lord Krishna.
September
1st September - Ramadan Begins (Islam)
Islamic month of fasting from dawn to sunset, for 30 days ending with Eid-ul-Fitr on 2nd Oct. This is the holiest period in the Islamic Year and begins at the sighting of the new moon. It is believed by Muslims to be the month in which the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Observing Muslims fast between the hours of sunrise and sunset during the entire month read the Qu'ran and worship in the mosque or at home.
9th September - The Double ninth Festival, Chinese (Secular)
Chinese people believe that the number nine is a "yang" number, and that the "double nine" - the ninth day of the ninth month in the lunar calendar - has too much yang, and is therefore a potentially dangerous date. Since nine is the highest odd digit, people take two of them together to signify longevity. Therefore, the ninth day of the ninth month has become a special day for people to pay their respects to the elderly and a day for the elderly to enjoy themselves. It has also been declared China’s day for the elderly. It is a public holiday in China and Hong Kong.
14th September - Zhong Qiu, Moon Festival (Chinese)
A Chinese mid-autumn festival that has become interwoven with ancient legends about the moon. Traditionally a time for poets and lovers. The festival is celebrated with family reunions, moon gazing and eating of moon cakes.
21st September – International Day of Peace (Secular)
In 1981 the United Nations General Assembly passed resolution 36/67 declaring an International Day of Peace.
30th September - Navaratri (hindu)
A 9-day festival to celebrate the triumph of good over evil.
30th September & 1st October - Rosh Hashana, New Year, Feast of Trumpets (Jewish)
A celebration of the creation of the world, beginning ten-days of repentance and self examination. Rosh Hashana "Head of the Year" marks the first and second day of the Jewish New Year and the anniversary of the creation of the world. It begins at sundown the night before and ends 10 days later with Yom Kippur. It is celebrated with prayers and religious services
30th September - Eid-ul-Fitr (Islam)
Marks the end of the Ramadan fast and is celebrated for 3 days. Date of observance may vary according to sighting of new moon.
October
Black History Month (secular)
Its aims are to: promote knowledge of black history and experience; disseminate information on positive black contributions to society; and heighten the confidence and awareness of black people in their cultural heritage.
1st October - National Day of the People’s Republic of China (Secular)
The Republic was proclaimed by Mao Zedong on this day in 1949 from the top of the Tiananmen gate, after victory in the Chinese Civil War. The National Day is celebrated in China (where the holiday lasts for a week, known as 'Golden Week'), Hong Kong, and Macau with government-organised festivities, including fireworks and concerts.
1st October (& 30th September) - Rosh Hashana New Year, Feast of Trumpets (Jewish)
A celebration of the creation of the world, beginning ten-days of repentance and self examination.
1-8th October, finishes 30th September - Navratri / Nine Nights (Hindu)
This festival, celebrates the triumph of good over evil, and mark the beginning of autumn. The festival is dedicated to Durga, the mother goddess. Women plant nine different seeds of grain and offer the saplings to the goddess. There are nightly feasts and dances but this is also a time for introspection and purification, and is seen as a good time to start new ventures. The festival ends with Dussehra.
In Bengal, Bangladesh and parts of eastern India, the most important part of the festival is Durga Puja, a four-day festival in celebration of Durga, a form of Devi, the supreme goddess
2nd October - Gandhi's Birthday (India)
He was a Hindu nationalist who adopted "non-violence" in fighting for freedom of the country. This day celebrates the anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi on this day in 1869. It is a public holiday in India
9th October- Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement (Jewish)
A 25 hour fast marking the last day of RoshHashana. The Day of Atonement is the holiest and most solemn of all days in the Jewish year. They believe that once you atone for your mistakes, you can be "at one" with God. Jews do not work, and fast from sunset to sunset.
14th October – Sukkot, Feast of Tabernacles (Jewish)
A week long commemoration of the 40 years the Jews spent in the wilderness on the way to freedom in the Promised Land.
20th October - Simchat Torah (Jewish)
This festival, meaning 'Rejoicing in the Law', follows immediately after Succot. It is a happy occasion marking the end of the yearly cycle of weekly Torah readings, and the beginning of the next cycle
26th October - Lailat ul-Qadr (Islam)
This marks the night when Muslims believe the Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
Shia Muslims believe that their fate for the upcoming year will be decided on this night, so they pray to Allah throughout the night and ask for forgiveness and salvation
28th October – Diwali, Festival of Lights (Hindu)
A celebration ofgood over evil. Victory of Lord Ramaover the demon Ravana and end ofover 14 years of exile. It means "rows of lights" and is the Hindu New Year. Diwali lasts for 5 days. Homes are cleaned and lit by lamps to invite Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity.
29th October - TurkishRepublic Day (secular)
A Republic Day is the name of a public holiday to commemorate the day when a country first became republic, from a former Common wealth realm which the British Monarcht was Head of State.Turkey was established as a democratic, secular, constitutional republic in 1923 under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, following the fall of the Ottoman Empire. This (including the previous afternoon) is a public holiday in Turkey.
31st October - Halloween (Secular)
Halloween is the Eve of All Saints' Day, and formerly called Hallowmass, the eve of all Hallows. Halloween is traditionally associated in some countries with customs such as bonfires, masquerading, and the telling of ghost stories. Its origins date back over 2,000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.
November
1st November - All Saints Day (Christian)
All Saints' Day, All Hallows, Hallowmas is a feast celebrated on Novemebr 1st in Western Christianity on the first Sunday after Pentecostal in honour of all the saints, known and unknown. In terms of Roman Catholics theology, the feast commemorates all those who have attained the beatiful vision in heaven, while the next day, All Souls Day, commemorates the departed faithful who have not yet been purified and reached heaven. It is a public holiday in France with Catholic roots
1st November -Antigua and BarbudaIndependence Day (secular)
On this day in 1981, Antigua and Barbuda acquired independence from the UK.
2nd November - All Souls Day (Christian)
On this day, Roman Catholics and Anglo Catholics remember of the souls of the dead in purgatory, through requiems and masses
5th November - Guy Fawkes Night ( Bonfire Night)
This is a secular celebration which marks the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot, a conspiracy to blow up the English Parliament and King James I in 1605, the day set for the king to open Parliament. The anniversary was named after Guy Fawkes, the most famous of the conspirators. It is celebrated by fireworks displays where there is often a bonfire, on which an effigy of Guy Fawkes is burnt
7th November - National Revolution and Solidarity Day (Secular)
This Bangladeshi public holiday commemorates the 1975 uprising, which ended the three-day coup organised by General Khaled Mosharraf. It also helped put General Ziaur Rahman, founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, in power. It is a national holiday in Bangladesh
8th Novemebr - Iqbal Day (secular)
On this public holiday, Pakistanis celebrate the life and work of Sir Muhammad Iqbal, an Indian Muslim poet, philosopher and politician
10th Novemebr - Polish Independence Day (Secular)
This is a special day for Poles, marking the peaceful transition of Poland from communist state to democracy, in 1918. It is a public holiday in Poland
11th November - Remembrance Sunday (Secular)
A secular celebration which marks the second Sunday of November is marked by ceremonies at war memorials and cenotaphs to remember those who gave their lives in conflicts.
11th November – Armistice Day (Secular)
Is a public holiday in France because it commemorates the day Armistice was signed at the end of the First World War.
13th November - Guru Nank’s Birthday (Sikh)
Sikh’s Honour the birth of the founder of Sik, , hi, sm. This is the holiest of Sikh festival and is celebrated over 3 days.
14th November - Children’s Day (Secualr)
India celebrates Children's Day on the birthday of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru; Nehru loved children and was known as "chacha", or "uncle" Nehru. It , is a public holiday in India
20th November - Universal Children’s Day
General Assembly recommended that all countries institute a Universal Children's Day, to be observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children. It recommended that the Day was to be observed also as a day of activity devoted to promoting the ideals and objectives of the Charter and the welfare of the children of the world.
30th November - BarbadosIndependence Day
On this day in 1966, Barbados acquired independence from the UK
31st November - St Andrews Day (Christian)
The first of Jesus' apostles is the patron saint of Scotland, Greece, Romania and Russia. St Andrew's Day is the national day of Scotland
December
2nd December- International Day for Remembrance of the Slave Trade & its Abolition - UN (Secular)
The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, 2 December, recalls the date of the adoption, by the General Assembly, of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others of 2 December 1949).
6th- 9th December - Hajj (Islam)
The Hajj, or annual pilgrimage to Mecca, consists of several ceremonies meant to symbolize the essential concepts of the Islamic faith, such as submission, brotherhood, and unity, and to commemorate the trials of the Prophet Abraham and his family. Required once in a Muslim’s lifetime, over two million Muslims perform the pilgrimage annually.
8th December – Rohatsu, Bodhi Day (Buddhist)
Buddhist celebration of Buddha’s Enlightenment.
10th Decemeber - Human Rights Day (Secular)
The date was chosen to honour the UN General Assembly's adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first global enunciation of human rights. The day is a high point in the calendar of UN headquarters and is normally marked by both high-level political conferences and meetings and by cultural events and exhibitions dealing with human rights issues.
20th December, -, , Eid-Ul-Adha (Islam)
Festival of Sacrifice marking the day after Arafat. The Day of Arafat is the most important day in the Hajj ritual. This is a four day holiday
21st - Winter Solstice (Secular)
This day celebrates the end of t, he Yin period of the Sun in its declining strength and the growing power of the Yang period.
22nd December– Hanukkah, Festival of Lights (Jewish)
A Jewish eight-day celebration of the miracle of the oil in the Temple Lamp. In approximately in 164BC, Maccabees, a small group of Jews fighting for religious freedom won victory over the Syrians. The legend goes that to rededicate the temple, they found only one jar of holy oil and miraculously the candelabra remained lit for 8 days. The Festival of Lights is celebrated for eight days. The eight-candle menorah is lighted. Special readings and songs of praise focus on liberty and freedom.
25th December - Christmas Day (Christian)
A Christian Celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Celebrates Jesus Christ's birth over 2000 years ago. Customs include lighting candles, exchanging gifts and using evergreen decorations to celebrate this day, the most widely observed Christian festival of the year. In most communities it is a family day.
26th December, Boxing Day
A secular Bank Holiday
29th December - Al Hijra, New Year’s Day (Islam)
Al-Hijra, the Islamic New Year, is the first day of the month of Muharram. It marks the Hijra (or Hegira) in 622 CE when the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) moved from Mecca to Medina, and set up the first Islamic state. The Muslim calendar counts dates from the Hijra, which is why Muslim dates have the suffix A.H. (After Hijra). Muslims perform the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. The pilgrimage is one of the five Pillars of Islam. All Muslims are expected to perform the Hajj at least once in their lifetime. About 6 million Muslims from over 70 countries journey to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. In one of the rites of the Hajj, pilgrims move in a circular, counterclockwise procession around the Ka'bah.
31st December - Hogmanay (Scotland)
The Scottish New Year. Hogmanay is derived from the French phrase meaning "Lead to the mistletoe". Fire ceremonies, banging of pots and pans at midnight and bringing bread, salt and coal to their hosts to symbolise life, hospitality and warmth mark this exuberant occasion.
If you would like to suggest other events, based on the criteria described above, please email our Equality and Diversity Co-ordinator at traci.gasson@eastbournehomes.org.uk
