The British Isles are frequently subject to unusually long spells of cold and damp weather. But despite the notoriously unpredictable climate, the people are surprisingly good humoured and free-spirited. Their joie de vivre is amply reflected in the arts and festivals of the country. Most British festivities are rooted in the islands’ colourful past, tradition and multicultural identity.

Traditional British festivals include Christmas, Easter, the Queen’s Official Birthday, Trooping the Colour and the Harvest celebrations. During Christmas, it is habitual to light ‘advent candles’ in all homes, one on first Sunday, two on the second, three on the third and so on, with a final central candle lit on Dec 25; these are often affixed to a hanging decoration called the ‘advent crown’. Christmas feasts are elaborate spreads with plum pudding and mince pies, oval in shape to represent the manger. An old custom that is still in vogue is The "Wassail" - the wine or ale is heated in a bowl and passed round to the toast "was-hail" meaning "good health" (the word hale still persists in the expression “hale and hearty,” meaning strong and healthy.) The "Bonfire Night" or "Guy Fawkes' Night", with its bonfires, effigy-burning and general mayhem, has shades of Halloween, but is much more recent, firmly grounded in fact, not myth or superstition. It is an entirely secular festival, although religion did play a part in its origin. British Thanksgiving ceremonies and revelry for a successful harvest are very ancient. They are a mix of the religious and the secular and are held in churches, chapels, schools and communities across the country.

The United Kingdom has a wealth of performing art venues, from small provincial theatres to lavishly decorated concert halls. And its calendar of festivals offers a host of events like Glastonbury & Edinburgh festivals, as well as signature gigs like Celtic Connections and Dance Umbrella.

Generally described as a British Woodstock, the Glastonbury festival takes place at Worthy Farm near the small village of Pilton every year. It is organised by local farmer, Michael Eavis and showcases folk, world music, dance & comedy performances, theatre, circus and contemporary rock. Featuring a megalith resembling Stonehenge , this musical extravaganza bears strong infusions of hippy ethics and the free movement of the 1970s.