UK Events and Festivals - What's on in Britain in 2017

January 2017

• New years Day - 1 January (Public Bank Holiday first Monday in the month)
• January Sales (sales usually start on Boxing Day)
• Festival Commemorating the Epiphany - 6 January
• International Boat Show - London
• Burns Night - celebrating the birth of Robert Burns - 25 January
• Chinese New Year - Year of the Chicken - Saturday 28 January
  

February 2017

• Valentines Day - 14 February
• Pan Cake Day - Shrove Tuesday, 28 February

March 2017

• St Davids's Day - 1 March
• Crufts Dog Show - Birmingham NEC
• St Patrick's Day - 17 March
• Ash Wednesday - 17 March
• Ideal Home Exhibition - London Earls Court
• Spring Country Living Fair - London
• British Summer Time Begins - 26th March
• Mothering Sunday (Mothers Day) - 26 March

April 2017

• Palm Sunday - 9 April
• Maunday Thursday - 13 April
• Good Friday - 14 April (Public Bank Holiday UK)
• Easter Sunday - 16 April
• Easter Monday - 17 April (Public Bank Holiday UK)
• Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II - 21 April
• The Stitching, Sewing & Hobbycrafts Show - ExCeL, London (20-22 April)
• Cake International Alexandra Palace - London (22-23 April)
• Oxford/Cambridge Boat Race - Henley-on-Thames
• London Marathon - London
• The Grand National - Aintree, Liverpool
• Cake International - Alexandra Palace, London
  
• St George's Day - 23 April
  

May 2017

• May Day - first Monday in May (Public Bank Holiday UK), 1 May
• Royal Tattoo - Windsor
• Well Dressing Festivals - Ascension Day, various venues across Britain
• RHS Chelsea Flower Show - London
• National Mills Weekend - various locations around the UK (13th to 14th May)
• International Highland Games - Scotland (Carmunnock)
• Late Spring Bank Holiday - Last Monday in May (Public Bank Holiday UK), 29 May

June 2017

• Whit Sunday - 4 June
• Trooping of the Colour - Saturday closest to 10th June - Whitehall, London
• Wimbledon Tennis Championships
  See world champions play at London's famous grass court tennis tournament.
• Royal Academy Summer Exhibitions - London
• Official Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II - 10 June
• Father's Day - 18 June

July 2017

• RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show - Hampton Court
• Henley Royal Regatta - Henley-on-Thames

August 2017

• Notting Hill Carnival - London - last weekend in August.
  Shake your tail feathers, sip some rum and enjoy the alfresco vibe at this annual carnival.
• Summer Bank Holiday - 28 August (Public Bank Holiday UK)
  

September 2017

• International Sheepdog Trials - Venue changes every year.
• Wembley Horse of the Year Show - London - last weekend in September
• Totally Thames - London
  This major event attracts thousands each year. Expect street arts, carnivals, music, dance, food and a spectacular fireworks display along the River Thames.

October 2017

• Harvest Festivals - all over Britain: at various times of the month.
• British Summer Time Ends - 29 October.
• Hallowe'en - 31 October, all over Britain.
• London Restaurant Festival
  Explore the capital's cuisine with a series of city-wide special events, including tours, special menus and pop-up restaurants. Highlights include dinner on the London Eye.
  

November 2017

• All Saints Day - 1 November, all over Britain.
• State Opening of Parliament - London: start of the new parliamentary session.
• Lord Mayor's Procession and Show - London: second Sat in November.
• Remembrance Day - at the Cenotaph, Whitehall, London, and all over Britain.
• RAC London to Brighton Veteran Car Rally - London to Brighton.
• Guy Fawkes Night - all over Britain - 5th November.
• London Film Festival - various venues in London: first two weeks November
• London Lights Switch-On
  Get in the festive spirit and join the celebrations as Oxford Street and Regent Street switch on their Christmas illuminations. Expect big-name celebrities.

December 2017

• Christmas Markets - Traditional festive markets held in many major cities and historical towns.
• Christmas Day - 25 December.
• Boxing Day - 26 December.
• Boxing Day Sales - many shops start their January sales on Boxing Day