The UK might not be the biggest country in the world, but we certainly know how to celebrate. Yes, we have the famous ones like Guy Fawkes Night, Glastonbury Festival, and Chelsea in Bloom, but there are also unique traditions tucked into every corner of the country — some well-known, some wonderfully surprising.
Each festival has its own story, its own history, and its own way of bringing people together.
Here are four celebrations I’d love to experience one day — and ones I know Erika would enjoy too.
🔬 England – Cheltenham Science Festival
It may be young compared to the others (first held in 2002), but the Cheltenham Science Festival brings a brilliant sense of curiosity to the summer. Over six days, the town becomes a playground for scientists, inventors, engineers, and anyone who simply enjoys learning how the world works.
There are:
- Hands-on experiments
- Live demonstrations
- Interactive installations
- Talks from academics, astronauts, authors, and innovators
There’s even FameLab, a global science communication competition where people explain complex ideas in just three minutes — clearly, creatively, and sometimes hilariously.
I can already picture Erika gravitating towards robot demos, especially if there are cat-like ones! And I’d definitely pull us both into any talks about autism in girls and women, so she can see herself reflected in the world and feel proud of who she is.
🔥 Scotland – Up Helly Aa, Shetland
Every January, the dark winter skies in Shetland explode into fire and celebration. Up Helly Aa marks the end of the Yule season with a torchlit procession through Lerwick, led by locals dressed as Vikings. At the end, a wooden longship is set dramatically alight.
The tradition began in the late 1800s and has only paused a few times — during major world events.
Today, there are several smaller versions across the islands between January and March, some more intimate, some more dramatic, all full of warmth, music, and community.
Whether we watch the grand procession or the quieter celebrations, I know this is one that would imprint itself on the memory — firelight reflected in the cold night air, drums, laughter, and the roar of the flames.
🎭 Wales – The Eisteddfod
Wales brings creativity to the table.
The National Eisteddfod, first recorded in 1176, is a celebration of poetry, music, storytelling, and Welsh identity. The tradition nearly faded in the 18th century — but Wales brought it back, bigger and brighter than ever.
Today, the festival:
- Moves to a different town each summer
- Turns fields into colourful tented villages
- Holds competitions in music, dance, literature, art, and more
- Crowns its best poet with a ceremonial chair (yes, a real one — just like the medieval prize!)
I’d love to wander the stalls, listen to Welsh being spoken and sung, and try a still-warm Welsh cake while soaking in the atmosphere. I’m sure Erika would too — especially if we can pick up a few Welsh phrases along the way.
🔥 Northern Ireland – The Eleventh Night & The Twelfth
In Northern Ireland, the 11th and 12th of July commemorate the Battle of the Boyne (1690), when William III defeated James II — a defining moment in the region’s history.
On the Eleventh Night, huge bonfires are lit across communities — sometimes just after sunset, sometimes at midnight.
The next day, The Twelfth brings parades through towns and cities, led by marching bands and members of the Orange Order wearing their distinctive sashes.
These celebrations are deeply rooted in heritage, identity, and community pride.
To attend, for me, would mean going with respect and curiosity — to listen, learn, and understand the traditions that continue to shape Northern Irish life today.
✨ Final Thoughts
From science fairs and Viking fire festivals to poetic traditions and bonfire nights, the UK’s celebrations are as diverse as its landscapes and accents. Each one tells a story — not just of history, but of creativity, resilience, identity, and belonging.
Maybe one day, Erika and I really will plan our UK travels around them — joining in where we can, watching from a safe distance when needed, and soaking up every lesson, laugh, and moment along the way.
Couch Potato to World Getter 
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