December means the tenth month as the calendar year originally had only 10 months before January and February was added on to the end. This is the month to try Tolling the Devil’s Knell, Allendale Fire Ceremony or Burning of the Clocks.
Step into a Yuletide tradition where equine elegance meets festive frolic. In the heart of Sussex lies the quaint hamlet of Bucks Green, a place where Christmas traditions are as enduring as the winter chill. Among these customs is the…
Step into Orkney’s ultimate Christmas and New Year’s brawl—where the only thing more chaotic than the game is figuring out who’s winning. Welcome to Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney, where centuries of tradition collide in one of Scotland’s most eccentric…
Brave the icy waters of the Serpentine in London’s most whimsical and bone-chilling Christmas tradition. Forget tinsel and turkey—if you’re in London on Christmas morning, there’s one tradition that combines festive cheer with frosty endurance: the Peter Pan Cup, a…
From pagan celebrations to last-minute shopping madness, explore the traditions, transformations, and timeless charm of Christmas Eve Christmas Eve, December 24th, is the gateway to one of the most celebrated holidays across the world. It’s a night steeped in anticipation,…
Join a peculiar Yuletide procession where good cheer, social satire, and an “old horse” take centre stage If you’re seeking a Christmas tradition that’s equal parts quirky, communal, and steeped in folklore, then Richmond’s “Poor Old Hoss” celebration in North…
Join the hauntingly festive tradition where each bell toll strikes a blow against evil—and probably keeps the Devil looking for earplugs. If you’ve ever fancied spending Christmas Eve in a place where history and superstition collide with the deep, resonant…
Witness history flowing through the pipes as Londoners receive running water for the first time since the Romans packed up their aqueducts. On December 24, 1508, after centuries of fetching water from wells, rivers, and communal pumps, the residents of…
Celebrate the arrival of a future king—and a very controversial one at that! On December 24, 1167, John, the youngest son of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, was born in Beaumont Palace, Oxford. Known to history as King…
Celebrate the birth of Sir Richard Arkwright, the pioneer of the Industrial Revolution, whose ingenuity changed the fabric of history—quite literally On December 23, 1732, Richard Arkwright was born in Preston, Lancashire. Known as the “Father of the Factory System,”…
Gather ‘round the fire for an ancient West Country tradition of warmth, cheer, and just a dash of good old-fashioned superstition. If your idea of a good time involves roaring fires, hearty toasts, and a sprinkling of folklore, then make…
