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Home > Archives for Christmas

Archives for Christmas

Peter Pan Christmas Day Race (Photo: Serpentine Swimming Club)

Cheeky and chilly in the Christmas Day and Boxing Day dips

For some, Christmas time means donning the trunks, swimming costumes and fancy dress. So Contrary Life brings you a round-up of Boxing Day swims in the UK…

Contrary Life, the website for quirky UK events

Barrel of fun in Grantchester

Every Boxing Day since the 1960s, Grantchester has held a barrel race and this year’s event kicks off at 12 noon outside the Rupert Brooke pub…

Sussex Mummer's Play - Ashdown Mummer's

Grab a festive pint and watch the Sussex Mummers’ Play

Known internationally for their Sussex Mummers’ play just before each Christmas The World Famous Ashdown Mummers will be performing this weekend…

The Fishermen & Firemen's Boxing day event

Fishermen and firemen gather for Scarborough’s oldest surviving custom

Said to be Scarborough’s oldest surviving custom, the Fishermen & Firemen’s Charity Football Match takes place on Boxing Day at South Bay Beach…

Brodsworth Hall & Gardens, South Yorkshire, English Heritage

A Christmas Carol at Brodsworth Hall

Enjoy the seasonal Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol at Brodsworth Hall in South Yorkshire on 28th and 29th December…

The Ba' game, Kirkwall, Orkney (Photo: Charles Tait)

Uppies and Doonies – whose team are you on?

The Ba’ is a long running tradition played out every Christmas Day and New Year’s Day on the streets of Kirkwall…

Burning the Clocks - Brighton - Photo Ray Gibson

Time for Burning the Clocks

Burning the Clocks is a parade of lanterns taking place on the winter solstice in Brighton. The event culminates with a bonfire, fireshow and fireworks….

Friends of Ham - Festive tour - Leeds

Find out the secrets of Leeds rich heritage on a festive walk

Leeds’ favourite ale and charcuterie bar, Friends of Ham, has organised special festive tours of the city to share its rich heritage secrets this Christmas…

The Faversham - Festive Teepee - Leeds

Get festive at The Faversham in Leeds

The Faversham in Leeds is putting a spin on the traditional Christmas celebrations with a Scandinavian style king–size tepee…

Mousehole Harbour Lights

Squeak with delight this Christmas at Mousehole Lights

Mousehole is a small fishing village in Cornwall and every year the harbour and village streets are lit up by creative light displays…

Nadelik, A Cornish Christmas (photo courtesy of English Heritage)

Celebrate Christmas the Cornish way

Celebrate Christmas the Cornish way at Pendennis Castle on 7th and 8th December with fireside tales, dancing and mulled wine…

Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen - Leeds

Hope House Christmas Market at the Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen

Hope House Christmas Market at Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen, Leeds, is a contemporary market of prints, t-shirts, crafts and home-made food stalls…

Osborne House, Isle of Wight - English Heritage

Experience a Victorian Christmas at Osborne House

Experience the spirit of a Victorian Christmas at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, on 7th and 8th December 2013…

See Santa Fly - Airkix Indoor Skydiving - Milton Keynes

Fly with Santa this Christmas

The AirKix indoor skydiving centre at Milton Keynes will be running special See Santa Fly sessions from 18th December until 24th December…

Royal Greenwich Charity Pantomime Horse Race 2013

It’s neigh joke when the Pantomime Horse Race rides into town

On Sunday 22nd December, the 4th Annual Greenwich Charity Pantomime Horse Race takes place in Aid of Demelza Children’s Hospice…

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Curiosity of the Week

Woodhenge, Stonehenge’s lesser-known neighbour
Woodhenge - ©English Heritage, Historic England Photo Library

You have heard of Stonehenge in Wiltshire, but have you heard of its lesser known neighbour, Woodhenge? Find out more in our latest Curiosity of the Week…

Top Story

Lip-sync challenges and live street art at Another Fine Fest
Another Fine Fest 2017 - Ulverston - Cumbria - Contrary Life

Today and tomorrow, Ulverston will come alive with everything from live street art to lip sync challenges as Another Fine Fest returns to the Cumbrian town…

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