New Year

1 January, is a public holiday. People usually celebrate on the night of 31 December. In
Scotland, 31 December is called Hogmanay and 2 January is also a public holiday. In
Scotland Hogmanay is a bigger holiday for some people than Christmas.

Valentine’s Day

14 February, is when lovers exchange cards and gifts. Sometimes people send
anonymous cards to someone they secretly admire.

April Fool’s Day

1 April, is a day when people play jokes on each other until midday. Often TV and
newspapers carry stories intended to deceive credulous viewers and readers.

Mother’s Day

The Sunday three weeks before Easter is a day when children send cards or buy gifts for
their mothers. Easter is also an important Christian festival.

Hallowe’en

31 October, is a very ancient festival. Young people will often dress up in frightening
costumes to play trick or treat. Giving them sweets or chocolates might stop them to
playing a trick on you. Sometimes people carry lanterns made out of pumpkins with a
candle inside.

Guy Fawkes Night

5 November, is an occasion when people in Great Britain set off fireworks at home or in
special displays. The origin of this celebration was an event in 1605, when a group of
Catholics led by Guy Fawkes failed in their plan to kill the Protestant king with a bomb
in the House of Parliament

Remembrance Day

11 November, commemorated those who died fighting in World War I, World War II and
other wars. Many people wear poppies – a red flower – in memory of those who died. At
11 AM there is a two-minute silence.

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