Festivals and celebration
New Years?s Eve
On 31 December, people meet their friends and have a party, and at midnight they sing a special song ?Auld Lang Syne?.
St. Valentine?s Day
This is on 14 February, and you send a card to someone you love, but you don?t write your name.
Lent
This is the period of forty days before Easter when Christians give up something, like smoking or a favorite food or drink.
Easter
This is in March or April and is when Christians remember the death of Christ and his return to life.
April Fool?s day
On 1 April people play tricks on their friends and tell them something which isn?t true.
Opening of Parliament
This is usually in November, when the King or Queen comes to the Houses of Parliament in a procession, and announces the government?s plants for new laws.
Guy Fawkes? Night
On 5 November people light fireworks and a bonfire in memory of the time when Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London in 1605.
Halloween
On 31 October, the night before All Soul?s Day, children dress up as witches and ghosts, and make lamps from pumpkins. They go to neighbors? houses and say ?trick or treat?, and the neighbour usually gives them a treat, such as some sweets or some fruit.
Christmas
On 25 December, this is the most important festival in Britain. The family usually has Christmas lunch and everyone gives each other presents.
People go shopping for presents and send cards to their friends. They decorate their homes with a Christmas tree. Children write a note to Father Christmas.
The children hang up a a stocking before they go to bed. While they?re asleep. Father Christmas comes down the chimney and fills the stocking tithe toys.
Some people go to church on Christmas Eve at midnight, and some go on the morning of Christmas Day.
Families spend the day together, eating and drinking and exchanging presents.
British eat roast turkey and vegetables, with Christmas pudding. There are also mince pies and Christmas cake.
Some people go round to neighbors? houses singing carols or Christmas songs