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UK events
A selection of events taking place in the UK in 2013...
June 2013
July 2013
August 2013
September 2013
October 2013
November 2013
24 June to 7 July 2013
Think of the UK in June and you’ll think of sun (or showers!), strawberries and tennis – yes it’s time for Wimbledon again!
Players from all over the world compete in the event, and 2013 sees an increase in prize money, with the winners of the Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Singles each receiving £1.6m.
Public demand for advance tickets is so high that they have to be allocated in a public ballot. If you don’t manage to get a ticket this way, you can always try queuing at Wimbledon on the day, and you can also watch the BBC’s excellent coverage. The competition is watched worldwide by millions.
In 2012, Roger Federer won the Wimbedon Men’s Singles title, and Serena Williams won the Women’s Singles title.
To keep track of all the scores visit the Wimbledon website.
The Cambridge Folk Festival
25–28 July 2013
The Cambridge Folk Festival started life way back in the ‘60s and is now one of the most famous folk festivals in the world, attracting thousands of visitors each year to the city of Cambridge.
Festival goers can enjoy listening to both well-known and up-and-coming artists, and the 2013 line-up includes highly esteemed musical talents such as Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo, KT Tunstall, Thea Gilmore, The Waterboys, and the Levellers.
As well as the music, there are lots of other activities to keep you entertained, such as drawing and juggling workshops, street theatre and T’ai Chi.
For ticket information and more about the festival visit the Cambridge Folk Festival website.
Boardmasters
7–11 August 2013
Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay, Newquay, Cornwall
If you’re into your surfing, skating, BMXing and music, then Boardmasters – a surf, skate and music festival on the stunning Cornish coast – will be right up your street.
Fistral Beach in Newquay will feature some truly talented people competing in these action sports. Boardmasters is particularly renowned for the men’s surfing event, which attracts professional surfers from around the world.
Along the coast at Watergate Bay, there’s also an incredible line up at the three-day music festival – The Vaccines, Basement Jaxx, Ben Howard, and Tom Odell are all set to perform, along with many more artists.
Check out the event website for more details and ticket info.
30 August to 10 November 2013
As the summer season draws to a close, Blackpool looks forward to long autumn nights bathed in light and colour with the switching on of the spectacular Blackpool Illuminations.
The Illuminations are an amazing sight – at around 6 miles long and using more than one million lamps, they draw millions of visitors to see them over the nights they are on display. Dazzling designs line the streets, and the Blackpool Tower and other landmarks are also covered in lights.
The lights are switched on in a ceremony that includes a concert and a celebrity appearance. In 2012 the lights were switched on by six Olympic medal winners: Beth Tweddle, Max Whitlock, Luke Campbell, Steven Burke, Sophie Hosking and Karina Bryant. The crowds also enjoyed music performances by Paloma Faith, Amy MacDonald and Little Mix amongst others.
You can visit Blackpool to see the lights from 30 August until early November. Check the website for switch-on times, which get earlier as the evenings get darker. Don’t miss this unique display.
More information about Blackpool Illuminations.
Halloween
31 October 2013
Scared of things that go bump in the night? If you can’t beat them, you can join them – that’s the spirit of Halloween!
Halloween is said to be the night that ghosts, witches and fairies are most active. People used to think that if they dressed up as a ghost or some other spirit then they would be left alone by the real thing – this is where the tradition of dressing up comes from.
Halloween has developed over the years, and it is quite common for people to decorate their houses with toy bats, witches and ghosts. For young children, the custom is to dress up and go to nearby houses to ask for treats (usually sweets) – this is known as ‘trick-or-treating’. Adults can also join in with the fun, as there are always plenty of Halloween-themed parties where a spooky costume can be worn.
Another popular Halloween tradition is the pumpkin lantern. To make one, you buy a pumpkin (available at most supermarkets in October), slice off the top and scoop out all the insides – this may take some time, depending on the size of pumpkin. Then you can carve a scary face into the front, and place a candle inside for a spooky looking light.
Bonfire Night
5 November 2013
Bonfire Night is an annual UK celebration with a grisly origin. It commemorates the failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament by Guy Fawkes and others in London in 1605. This is known as the ‘gunpowder plot’.
Bonfire Night celebrations involve a large bonfire (often with a life-sized dummy, to represent Guy Fawkes) and fireworks, and part of the fun is being out in the cold and enjoying warming winter food and drink like roasted chestnuts and mulled wine.
There are Bonfire Night celebrations planned around the UK, and these range from people having a few fireworks in their own back garden to huge organised events. Many towns and cities host spectacular fireworks displays. Details will be available locally.
So wrap up warm and enjoy it!
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