Birth of JRR Tolkien, author of Lord of the Rings (1892)

The night when Christmas decorations should come down by

For Shiva Muslims, this tenth day of Muharram is a commemoration of the death of the Prophet's grandson, Husayn.

9th, 10, and 11th January 2009
Festival of a man dressed as a 'Straw Bear'.

9 - 18 January 2009
Discover exciting new features, Explore the hundreds of boats on display and enjoy everything about boating in one giant show!

9th, 10, and 11th January 2009
Festival of a man dressed as a 'Straw Bear'.

Martin Luther King was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was a Baptist minister who used peaceful methods to counteract the inequalities of laws and society.

Birth of AA Milne, author (1882)

Annually the third Sunday in January. The aim of World Religion Day is to foster the establishment of interfaith understanding and harmony by emphasizing the common denominators underlying all religions.

At 12:00 noon on Inauguration Day 2009 (January 20, 2009, according to the Twentieth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution), Barack Obama will become the 44th President of the United States.

The RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch is the world's biggest bird survey and the results help the RSPB to keep track of bird populations right across the UK.

Sir Winston Churchill died on this day in 1965

2009 is the Year of the Ox
Chinese New Year at sunset on the day of the second New Moon following the winter solstice. Celebrations last two weeks and end with Teng Chieh, the lantern festival, on the full moon 15 days later.

The official national day of Australia, commemorating the establishment of the first British settlement on the continent of Australia in 1788. Australia Day is an official public holiday in all states and territories of Australia, and has also been known as Anniversary Day and Foundation Day.

India's National Day is celebrated each year on 26 January and marks the date when in 1950 India adopted the new constitution making it a democratic republic.

In January 30, 1649 Charles I was beheaded in the English Civil War.

"Candlemas" in many churches and is the day for observing the ritual purification of Mary forty days after the birth of Jesus as well as the presentation of Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem.

Sweet rationing ended in Britain in 1953

Final day of the international rugby competition (England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France, Italy).

Charles Dickens, the son of John and Elizabeth Dickens, was born in Landport on 7th February 1812.

This is the Lantern Festival which marks the first full moon of the year and the lengthening of days. It also marks the end of the celebration of Chinese New Year. Lanterns of all colours but white - the colour of mourning - are hung up.

Tu B'Shevat is the Jewish "New Year for Trees". It is one of the four Jewish new years (Rosh Hashanahs).

Darwin Day is a global celebration of science and reason held on or around Feb. 12, the birthday anniversary of evolutionary biologist Charles Darwin.

Serbia is a landlocked country in Central and Southeastern Europe.

Galileo was an Italian physicist and astronomer.
Born February 15, 1564; Died January 8, 1642.

Awards ceremony for British and international pop, shown on ITV1

Nepal is a landlocked Himalayan country in South Asia, bordered by the People's Republic of China to the north and India to the south, east and west.

18 - 22 February 2009
A Viking festival in York. Among the many events and activities are a battle re-enactment and a Viking market.

18 - 22 February 2009
A Viking festival in York. Among the many events and activities are a battle re-enactment and a Viking market.

18 - 22 February 2009
A Viking festival in York. Among the many events and activities are a battle re-enactment and a Viking market.

Historically, on Shrove Tuesday Christians confessed their sins and asked to be forgiven for them (this was known as "shriving"). The popular name for Shrove Tuesday is Pancake Day.

Morocco is a country in North Africa

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts

Ghana is a country in West Africa.

6-15 March 2009
An opportunity for people of all ages, areas and organisations to take part in science, engineering and technology activities.

Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show.
Crufts 2009 dates are 5th - 8th March 2009 at the NEC, Birmingham.

International Women's Dayprovides an opportunity to focus upon and remember the struggle of women throughout the world

Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show.
Crufts 2009 dates are 5th - 8th March 2009 at the NEC, Birmingham.

One of the main horse jumping racing events of the year. The most important race is the Gold Cup on Friday.
The Festival 2009 takes place from 10th to 13th March

Purim celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from the wicked Haman in the days of Queen Esther of Persia.

Red Nose Day is a UK-wide fundraising event organised by Comic Relief every two years. On Red Nose Day everyone is encouraged to cast inhibitions aside, put on a Red Nose and do something a little bit silly to raise money - celebrities included!

Feast day of patron saint of Ireland.

Christian feast day in honour of St Joseph.

A boat race on the river Thames in London for "eights", which each have eight people who row and one person (the "cox") who directs the boat.

World Poetry Day honours poets and their craft. The aim is to promote the reading, writing, publishing and teaching of poetry throughout the world.

Pagan festival in honour of the goddess of Spring.

Japanese spring equinox festival

A acountry in South Asia, marking the region where South Asia converges with Central Asia and the Middle East.

Understanding global impacts

Clocks move forward one hour

An annual university boat race on the Thames in London between Oxford University (the "Dark Blues") and Cambridge University (the "Light Blues").

Eiffel Tower officially opened on this day in 1889.

Hans Christian Andersen was born in 1805

A famous horse race (a "steeplechase", which involves jumping over fences) .
Thurs 2 Apri - Saturday 4 April 2009

The 2009 Edinburgh International Science Festival will be held from 6th to 18th April.

Japanese flower festival honouring the Buddha's birth.

No school or work for most people

On this day, Christians remember the day when Jesus was crucified on a cross.

This is the most important festival of the Christian year, as it is when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

The Highway Code first issued in 1931

Harvest Festival
Baisakhi (also called Vaisakhi) is an ancient harvest festival of great significance to Sikhs and many Hindus. Celebrated mostly in the Punjab region of north India, it is a time when farmers harvest their crops.

The Global Campaign for Education has chosen “Youth and Adult Literacy and Lifelong Learning” as the theme for the 7th Education for All (EFA) Global Action Week (GAW) 20-26 April 2009.

Earth Day is a name used for two different observances, both held annually during spring in the northern hemisphere, and autumn in the southern hemisphere. These are intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth's environment. The United Nations celebrates Earth Day each year on the March equinox, while a global observance in many countries is held each year on April 22.

The name ANZAC is an abbreviation for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
Anzac Day is commemorated by Australia and New Zealand on 25 April every year to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I.

Samuel Morse, inventor of Morse code was born in 1791

A major fundraising and profile raising opportunity for the Society's branches located throughout England and Wales.
RSPCA Week will run from 27 April to 3 May 2009

The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy, located in Western Europe.

The Sweeps Festival is one of the biggest May Day festivals in England and celebrates the traditional May Day holiday that chimney sweeps used to enjoy.

It is the largest multi-art form festival in England.
Saturday May 2, 9, 16, 23 2009
In 2009, Brighton Festival Fringe will once again transform the Pavilion Gardens, Jubilee Square and New Road into Fringe City, with a wide range of performances including music, dance, comedy and theatre. Fringe City is a free, outdoor, open-access arts festival organised by the Brighton Festival Fringe to showcase and promote Fringe events.

The Sweeps Festival is one of the biggest May Day festivals in England and celebrates the traditional May Day holiday that chimney sweeps used to enjoy.

Traditional May Day celebrations in Hastings.

Public Holiday

Supported by over one hundred deaf charities and organisations under the umbrella of the UK Council on Deafness, Deaf Awareness Week involves a UK wide series of national and local events.

Europe Day, May 9, marks the anniversary of the day in 1950 when the European Union was conceived.

It is the largest multi-art form festival in England.
Saturday May 2, 9, 16, 23 2009
In 2009, Brighton Festival Fringe will once again transform the Pavilion Gardens, Jubilee Square and New Road into Fringe City, with a wide range of performances including music, dance, comedy and theatre. Fringe City is a free, outdoor, open-access arts festival organised by the Brighton Festival Fringe to showcase and promote Fringe events.

Theravadin Buddhist celebration of the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing into nirvana.

Florence Nightingale born 1820

Jewish Year 5769: sunset May 11, 2009 - nightfall May 12, 2009
Jews count the days from Passover to Shavu'ot. This period is known as the Counting of the Omer. An omer is a unit of measure.Every night, from the second night of Passover to the night before Shavu'ot, Jews recite a blessing and state the count of the omer in both weeks and days.The counting is intended to remind us of the link between Passover, which commemorates the Exodus, and Shavu'ot, which commemorates the giving of the Torah. It remi

It is the largest multi-art form festival in England.
Saturday May 2, 9, 16, 23 2009
In 2009, Brighton Festival Fringe will once again transform the Pavilion Gardens, Jubilee Square and New Road into Fringe City, with a wide range of performances including music, dance, comedy and theatre. Fringe City is a free, outdoor, open-access arts festival organised by the Brighton Festival Fringe to showcase and promote Fringe events.

It is the largest multi-art form festival in England.
Saturday May 2, 9, 16, 23 2009
In 2009, Brighton Festival Fringe will once again transform the Pavilion Gardens, Jubilee Square and New Road into Fringe City, with a wide range of performances including music, dance, comedy and theatre. Fringe City is a free, outdoor, open-access arts festival organised by the Brighton Festival Fringe to showcase and promote Fringe events.

A strange (and dangerous) local tradition on Cooper's Hill in Gloucestershire

A public holiday.

Memorial Day is a United States Federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in military service to their country.

Oak Apple Day was a holiday celebrated in England on 29 May to commemorate the restoration of the monarchy in Britain and Ireland, in May 1660.

Shavuot, the Festival of Weeks, is the Jewish holiday celebrating the harvest season in Israel. Shavuot, is held exactly seven weeks after Passover.
In this year, 2009, it lasts from sunset May 28th to nightfall May 29th.

Pentecost is also known as Whitsunday and is a major festival in the Christian church. It is celebrated on the Sunday which falls on the 50th day after the Easter festival.It marks the end of the Easter season in the Christian calendar and celebrates thedescent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles.

London's famous Horse Guards Parade, off Whitehall in the centre of the city, resounds to the stirring sounds of the Massed Bands of the Household Division as they perform Beating Retreat, one of the major spectacles in the capital's ceremonial calendar.

Horse racing event at Epsom Downs Racecourse.
Derby Day 2009 is on Saturday, 6th June. Derby Day dates back to 1780 and is still the greatest flat race in the world. The Derby remains the race that everyone wants to win, as horses and riders are pushed to their limit around the unique and challenging course.

Hungarian Laszlo Biro patented the ball-point pen in the United States in 1943

First flight across the Atlantic by John Alcock and Arthur Brown in 1919.

King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215

Royal Ascot is a 5-day horse racing event - each year the Queen attends on at least one of the days. Thursday is known as Ladies Day, and is famous for fashion.
Tuesday 16th to Saturday 20th June 2009 (Gold Cup/Ladies Day on Thursday 18th)

Dragon Boat Festival, Duanwu Festival or Tuen Ng Festival is a traditional Chinese festival held on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar.

International Formula 1 motor race at Silverstone
FRIDAY 19 - SUNDAY 21 JUNE 2009

Royal Ascot is a 5-day horse racing event - each year the Queen attends on at least one of the days. Thursday is known as Ladies Day, and is famous for fashion.
Tuesday 16th to Saturday 20th June 2009 (Gold Cup/Ladies Day on Thursday 18th)

Father's Day is held on the third Sunday of June. It is a day to honour fathers and father figures, such as grandfathers and fathers-in-law. Many people make a special effort to visit their fathers or to send them a card or gifts.

International Formula 1 motor race at Silverstone
FRIDAY 19 - SUNDAY 21 JUNE 2009

Royal Ascot is a 5-day horse racing event - each year the Queen attends on at least one of the days. Thursday is known as Ladies Day, and is famous for fashion.
Tuesday 16th to Saturday 20th June 2009 (Gold Cup/Ladies Day on Thursday 18th)

Fri 4 Jul - Sun 6 Jul 2008
The coolest festival in the heart of the city. Summertime, and London's Hyde Park plays host to 4 nights of incredible line-ups and cutting edge bands.

The R&A; have announced that Turnberry will host the 2009 Open Championship from 16th to 19th July 2009

The 2008 Proms season takes place between Friday 18 July and Saturday 13 September.

The R&A; have announced that Turnberry will host the 2009 Open Championship from 16th to 19th July 2009

Celebrated by Theravadin and Western Buddhists as the anniversary of the Buddha's first sermon, known as 'Turning of the Wheel of Law'. The Buddha preached the need to follow a 'Middle Way' between self-indulgence and severe self-denial.

The first man on the moon 1969

St Christopher's Day. Patron saint of travellers

A solemn festival of fasting and mourning when Jews remember the destruction of the second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans in AD 70.

On this day in 1944, Anne Frank and her family were discovered hiding in a secret by the Nazis.

The man who discovered penicillin was born on this day in 1881.

A daily show outside the walls of Edinburgh Castle
The 2009 Edinburgh Tattoo will take place from 7th - 29th August 2009

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is still the world’s largest arts festival, presenting 31,320 performances of 2,088 shows in 247 venues last August. Fringe 2009 promises the same inspirational mix of theatre, comedy, music, dance and children’s entertainment in Scotland’s stunning, iconic capital city.

A daily show outside the walls of Edinburgh Castle
The 2009 Edinburgh Tattoo will take place from 7th - 29th August 2009

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is still the world’s largest arts festival, presenting 31,320 performances of 2,088 shows in 247 venues last August. Fringe 2009 promises the same inspirational mix of theatre, comedy, music, dance and children’s entertainment in Scotland’s stunning, iconic capital city.

A daily show outside the walls of Edinburgh Castle
The 2009 Edinburgh Tattoo will take place from 7th - 29th August 2009

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is still the world’s largest arts festival, presenting 31,320 performances of 2,088 shows in 247 venues last August. Fringe 2009 promises the same inspirational mix of theatre, comedy, music, dance and children’s entertainment in Scotland’s stunning, iconic capital city.

A daily show outside the walls of Edinburgh Castle
The 2009 Edinburgh Tattoo will take place from 7th - 29th August 2009

The celebration of Lord Krishna's birthday. He is famous for making mischief and playing tricks on his friends. He is also a great hero who helps and looks after people.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is still the world’s largest arts festival, presenting 31,320 performances of 2,088 shows in 247 venues last August. Fringe 2009 promises the same inspirational mix of theatre, comedy, music, dance and children’s entertainment in Scotland’s stunning, iconic capital city.

A daily show outside the walls of Edinburgh Castle
The 2009 Edinburgh Tattoo will take place from 7th - 29th August 2009

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is still the world’s largest arts festival, presenting 31,320 performances of 2,088 shows in 247 venues last August. Fringe 2009 promises the same inspirational mix of theatre, comedy, music, dance and children’s entertainment in Scotland’s stunning, iconic capital city.

A daily show outside the walls of Edinburgh Castle
The 2009 Edinburgh Tattoo will take place from 7th - 29th August 2009

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is still the world’s largest arts festival, presenting 31,320 performances of 2,088 shows in 247 venues last August. Fringe 2009 promises the same inspirational mix of theatre, comedy, music, dance and children’s entertainment in Scotland’s stunning, iconic capital city.

A daily show outside the walls of Edinburgh Castle
The 2009 Edinburgh Tattoo will take place from 7th - 29th August 2009

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is still the world’s largest arts festival, presenting 31,320 performances of 2,088 shows in 247 venues last August. Fringe 2009 promises the same inspirational mix of theatre, comedy, music, dance and children’s entertainment in Scotland’s stunning, iconic capital city.

A daily show outside the walls of Edinburgh Castle
The 2009 Edinburgh Tattoo will take place from 7th - 29th August 2009

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is still the world’s largest arts festival, presenting 31,320 performances of 2,088 shows in 247 venues last August. Fringe 2009 promises the same inspirational mix of theatre, comedy, music, dance and children’s entertainment in Scotland’s stunning, iconic capital city.

During Ramadan, Muslims celebrate the time when the verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Ramadan is a time of worship and contemplation. A time to strengthen family and community ties.

The English Civil War began on this day in 1642

A daily show outside the walls of Edinburgh Castle
The 2009 Edinburgh Tattoo will take place from 7th - 29th August 2009

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is still the world’s largest arts festival, presenting 31,320 performances of 2,088 shows in 247 venues last August. Fringe 2009 promises the same inspirational mix of theatre, comedy, music, dance and children’s entertainment in Scotland’s stunning, iconic capital city.

A daily show outside the walls of Edinburgh Castle
The 2009 Edinburgh Tattoo will take place from 7th - 29th August 2009

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is still the world’s largest arts festival, presenting 31,320 performances of 2,088 shows in 247 venues last August. Fringe 2009 promises the same inspirational mix of theatre, comedy, music, dance and children’s entertainment in Scotland’s stunning, iconic capital city.

A daily show outside the walls of Edinburgh Castle
The 2009 Edinburgh Tattoo will take place from 7th - 29th August 2009

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is still the world’s largest arts festival, presenting 31,320 performances of 2,088 shows in 247 venues last August. Fringe 2009 promises the same inspirational mix of theatre, comedy, music, dance and children’s entertainment in Scotland’s stunning, iconic capital city.

A free colourful street festival in London, from 12 noon to 7pm both on Sunday and on Monday (a public holiday in the UK). This is one of Europe's largest carnivals, attended by up to a million people each year.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is still the world’s largest arts festival, presenting 31,320 performances of 2,088 shows in 247 venues last August. Fringe 2009 promises the same inspirational mix of theatre, comedy, music, dance and children’s entertainment in Scotland’s stunning, iconic capital city.

The Braemar Gathering and Highland Games is possibly the most famous of its kind in the world. Each year thousands of visitors descend on the samll village on the first Saturday in September to watch one of the more colourful Scottish traditions. It has been regularly attended by members of the Royal Family since Queen Victoria first attended in 1848.

International Literacy Day, observed annually on September 8, focuses attention on worldwide literacy needs. More than 780 million of the world’s adults (nearly two-thirds of whom are women) do not know how to read or write, and between 94 and 115 million children lack access to education.

13th September is officially Roald Dahl Day across the world!

A Prom means a Promenade Concert, or a concert where part of the audience stands in a "promenade" area of the hall.

The BBC Proms is an annual music festival running from mid-July to mid-September and comprising over seventy Prom concerts.

13 and 14th September. Two days of free music and entertainment on the south bank of the Thames, between Westminster Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge. The event starts at 12 noon and ends at about 10pm on each day.

Over 200 different rowing boats race along the River Thames, from Ham House (Richmond) to Island Gardens (Isle of Dogs).

The 27th day of Ramadan.

Jewish New Years Day

The European Day of Languages (EDL), a Council of Europe initiative, is held annually on the 26 September to celebrate language and cultural diversity. The Day was first celebrated in 2001, the European Year of Languages and involves more people every year.

Traditionally the last day of the Harvest season

Every year, on the first Friday in October we celebrate Smiley, his message of goodwill, and World Smile Day®.

Jeans for Genes aims to change the world for children affected by genetic disorders. We do this with the funds you help us to raise on Jeans for Genes Day

Last English king to die on a battlefield

There is a harvest festival service at St Martin-in-the-Fields at 3pm
'Pearlies' date back to 1875 when a young orphan, Henry Croft, admiring the pearl button seams on some of the market traders, decided to go one better and cover his entire suit in buttons. With the attention this drew he set about collecting money to help others.

An international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition.

Celebrating animals and the important role they play in our lives.

The last day of the Rains Retreat (the Vassa) is known as Pavarana Day or ‘Leaving the Vassa’. Also known as Sangha Day

The 2009 World Conker Championships will be held on the Green at Ashton, Northamptonshire on 11th October 2009. The event starts at 10:30 a.m.

9th day of Sukkot
This festival marks the completion of the annual cycle of reading from the Torah.

October Plenty is an Autumn harvest celebration held annually in Southwark. Beginning on the Bankside, by Shakespeare's Globe, October Plenty mixes ancient seasonal customs and theatre with contemporary festivity, joining with historic Borough Market, Southwark.

If you are in the UK, change all clocks back 1 hour. You can have one extra hour's sleep. The time change is during the night: at 2am on Sunday morning the time is changed to 1am.

Sangha Day is a celebration of friendship. Buddhists come together to celebrate their worldwide community, the Sangha.

This day celebrates the first Sikh guru, and is marked by reading the Sikh holy book, the Granth Sahib.
Note : The birth date of Guru Nanak was 15 April 1469, but it is traditionally celebrated in November.

On this day in particular the departed are remembered and prayers on their behalf are offered.

The Bonfire Night celebrations at Lewes remember not only the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, but also the burning on the stake of 17 Protestants in the town in 1555.

Barrels which have been soaked with tar are lit and are then carried on people's backs through the streets. This has been done since the 17th century.

Celebration of the failure of a plan by a group of Catholics to blow up the Houses of Parliament on 5th November 1605.

In the Theravada Buddhist tradition, Kathina Day is celebrated by the lay community offering monks new Kathina robes at the end of their three month Rains Retreat. The date of the festival varies according to when the rainy season arrives in different countries.

Remembrance Sunday is held on the second Sunday in November, which is usually the Sunday nearest to 11 November. Special services are held at war memorials and churches all over Britain.

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month marks the signing of the Armistice, on 11th November 1918, to signal the end of World War One.

At 11 am on 11 November 1918 the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years continuous warfare.

The festival marks the end of the Hajj (holy pilgrimage to Mecca).

Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland.

Groups of carol singers will perform each evening (at various times between 5-9pm) next to the Norwegian Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, raising money for charity.
Mon 8 Dec - Fri 19 Dec 2008

Celebrates the (mainly Roman Catholic) doctrine that Mary herself was born free from the Original Sin, leaving her sinless for the conception and bearing of Jesus.

Groups of carol singers will perform each evening (at various times between 5-9pm) next to the Norwegian Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, raising money for charity.
Mon 8 Dec - Fri 19 Dec 2008

Groups of carol singers will perform each evening (at various times between 5-9pm) next to the Norwegian Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, raising money for charity.
Mon 8 Dec - Fri 19 Dec 2008

The Bankside Winter Festival 2008 will be open for ten days from 10am on Friday 12th to 6pm on Sunday 21st December 2008 along the Bankside riverwalk outside the iconic Tate Modern. commemorative Thames Cutters Frost Fair

This Jewish festival (known as Hanukkah, Hannuka or Chanukah) starts at sundown the day before and lasts for 8 days. Each day one candle on an eight-stemmed candelabra (called a Menorah) is lit.

Groups of carol singers will perform each evening (at various times between 5-9pm) next to the Norwegian Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, raising money for charity.
Mon 8 Dec - Fri 19 Dec 2008

The Bankside Winter Festival 2008 will be open for ten days from 10am on Friday 12th to 6pm on Sunday 21st December 2008 along the Bankside riverwalk outside the iconic Tate Modern. commemorative Thames Cutters Frost Fair

Groups of carol singers will perform each evening (at various times between 5-9pm) next to the Norwegian Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, raising money for charity.
Mon 8 Dec - Fri 19 Dec 2008

The Bankside Winter Festival 2008 will be open for ten days from 10am on Friday 12th to 6pm on Sunday 21st December 2008 along the Bankside riverwalk outside the iconic Tate Modern. commemorative Thames Cutters Frost Fair

Tue 16 Dec - Mon 22 Dec 2008
A top showjumping event at Olympia, Hammersmith Road (horses jumping over fences, inside a hall).

Groups of carol singers will perform each evening (at various times between 5-9pm) next to the Norwegian Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, raising money for charity.
Mon 8 Dec - Fri 19 Dec 2008

The Bankside Winter Festival 2008 will be open for ten days from 10am on Friday 12th to 6pm on Sunday 21st December 2008 along the Bankside riverwalk outside the iconic Tate Modern. commemorative Thames Cutters Frost Fair

Tue 16 Dec - Mon 22 Dec 2008
A top showjumping event at Olympia, Hammersmith Road (horses jumping over fences, inside a hall).

Islamic New Year. The Muslim calendar counts dates from the Hijra, which is why Muslim dates have the suffix A.H. (After Hijra). The festival marks the migration of the Prophet Mohammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina.

Groups of carol singers will perform each evening (at various times between 5-9pm) next to the Norwegian Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, raising money for charity.
Mon 8 Dec - Fri 19 Dec 2008

The Bankside Winter Festival 2008 will be open for ten days from 10am on Friday 12th to 6pm on Sunday 21st December 2008 along the Bankside riverwalk outside the iconic Tate Modern. commemorative Thames Cutters Frost Fair

Tue 16 Dec - Mon 22 Dec 2008
A top showjumping event at Olympia, Hammersmith Road (horses jumping over fences, inside a hall).

Tue 16 Dec - Mon 22 Dec 2008
A top showjumping event at Olympia, Hammersmith Road (horses jumping over fences, inside a hall).

Christmas Eve is not a public holiday in the UK, but many people will not work a full day because they need to travel to their families. Public transport services may finish earlier than usual.

At 3pm at King's College Chapel in Cambridge is a traditional carol service called "A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols": the carols are sung by the famous King's College choir.

A public holiday in the UK. Some shops start their post-Christmas sales now