Date |
Event |
Details |
First Friday in August |
Day of the Burryman | Every year on the first Friday in August, a "burryman" (a man wearing a costume of thistle burrs, allegedly representing an ancient fertility God) walks through the streets of many fishing villages along the coast of Scotland, collecting donations from villagers. |
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Jul 31st - Aug 7th |
Cowes Week | The annual world-class yachting event with over 1,000 yachts and 8,500 competitors taking part in some very challenging first-class sailing, it attracts a wide range of local, national and international entrants, from true amateurs to Olympic and World champions. |
1st Sunday in August |
Friendship Day |
To be honest this isn't celebrated that much in England, apart from within the Indian community, but I think it should be, especially as Winnie the Pooh is the world's Ambassador of Friendship. Thanks to Magic Place |
Aug 3rd - 7th |
Great British Beer Festival | With over 450 real ales and over 65,000 visitors, Earls Court is turned into the Biggest Pub in the World, the festival plays host to a wide range of beers, real ale, cider, perry and lager from the UK and around the world. |
Aug 6th - 28th |
Edinburgh Military Tattoo | A tattoo is a signal sounded on a drum or bugle to summon soldiers or sailors to their quarters at night. In this instance it is a grand display of military exercises offered as an evening of entertainment. The sound of bagpipes will be reverberating around Edinburgh yet again. Stirring stuff. |
Aug 12th |
The Glorious 12th | But not if you are a grouse! |
Aug 13th - 14th |
Shrewsbury Flower Show | Flower shows are extremely British and this is one of the largest flower shows in the UK. Well worth a visit either in person or virtual! |
Aug 13th - |
Edinburgh International Festival | The Edinburgh International Festival is over fifty years old and has earned its reputation as one of the world's greatest celebrations of the arts. Always entertaining and often controversial, it offers the visitor an amazing three weeks of the very best opera, theatre, music and dance. |
Aug 21st |
Cilgerran Festival and Annual Coracle Regatta |
A coracle is a traditional Welsh boat. This annual race is undertaken by some serious experts in eccentric clothing and many dunked amateurs. So, if you've got your own coracle, or just fancy having a go, this is the place to do it. |
Aug 29th - 30th |
Notting Hill Carnival | Notting Hill in London is considered part of Kensington, but it has a completely different flavour (not nearly as rarefied as, say, the palace). Every Saturday, hundreds of people gather to wander through an open air market that has everything from fresh vegetables to antiques. And each August, the neighborhood throws an enormous outdoor festival, the Notting Hill Carnival. Music from the West Indies, drummers and costumed people draw a half a million party animals. Visit their extremely colourful website, you will be able to view the festival via Web Cam, not as good as being there, but we can't have everything, can we? |
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Aug 27th - 29th |
Reading Festival | The Reading and Leeds Festivals are the only three day, dual site music festivals in the world. Unless you know better that is! |
Aug 27th - 29th |
Leeds Festival | The Reading and Leeds Festivals are the only three day, dual site music festivals in the world. Unless you know better that is! |
Aug 29th |
World Bog Snorkeling Championships | Don't believe me? Then read on. |
Last Saturday in August |
Beca Mountain Race |
Fancy dress running and symbolic gate smashing – all in the name of history, this race takes its inspiration from the Rebecca Riots of 1843. |
May - August |
Well Dressing | Well dressing is an ancient art carried out in the county of Derbyshire, especially the Peak District. Every year from around May to August wells in the area are beautifully decorated with natural objects (usually petals from flowers) to form elaborate pictures, often nowadays with a religious theme. The origins of well dressing are something of a mystery, but it is thought to predate Roman times. It was most likely a form of sacrifice to give thanks for the supply of water supplied by wells in the community, |
July - August |
Rushbearing Ceremonies | Throughout July and August rushbearing ceremonies are carried out in many villages in north-west England. Rushes are harvested and made into special sculptures (called bearings), these sculptures are carried around in a procession. It is thought that the practice began in the Middle Ages when people used rushes as a floor covering. |
July - September |
BBC Proms | The largest classical music event in the UK - "land of hope and glory and all that". If London is a bit too far to go you can listen or watch on-line. Even if you're not into classical music don't miss the Last night of the Proms, here you will see the British at their best and there is also "Proms in the Park", a series of concerts to celebrate the Last Night, which takes place in five locations across the country. |
Regular Features |
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The Ezine-Ezone |
The English Magazine | Check out this month's English Magazine. English stories, articles, the latest news, recommended books, films, all with dictionarly look up, along with listening practice, crosswords, games and lots more. |
Don't forget |
EPals on-line | Don't forget to get in touch with your online friends. |
