Britain’s year turns on its seasons — snowdrops and the Six Nations in winter, bluebells and flower shows in spring, festivals and long light evenings in summer, deer rutting and golden woods in autumn. Here’s what to catch, month by month. Summer right now — around August Highland Games season Across Scotland Caber-tossing, piping and dancing at gatherings from Braemar to Cowal through the summer. Royal Albert Hall, London Eight weeks of daily classical concerts ending with the Last Night of the Proms. Edinburgh Festival Fringe The world's largest arts festival takes over the whole city every August. Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Edinburgh Castle esplanade Massed pipes, drums and international acts perform on the castle esplanade each August night. Notting Hill Carnival Europe's biggest street carnival, a celebration of Caribbean culture over the August bank holiday. Heather in bloom Moorland — Yorkshire, Peak District, Scotland Upland moors turn purple as the heather flowers in late summer. Snowdrop season Woodlands & gardens nationwide The first flowers of the year carpet woodland floors and historic gardens — Cambo, Anglesey Abbey and Welford Park are famous displays. Edinburgh & across Scotland Scotland's spectacular New Year celebrations, with Edinburgh's street party among the world's biggest. Scotland & beyond Suppers of haggis, whisky and Robert Burns's poetry on 25 January, piped in and toasted the world over. Lerwick, Shetland Europe's largest fire festival — a torch-lit procession and the burning of a Viking galley on the last Tuesday of January. Celtic Connections A three-week celebration of Celtic, folk and roots music across Glasgow in the depths of winter. London, Manchester, Liverpool Lion dances, parades and street food in the UK's Chinatowns; London's is the biggest celebration outside Asia. Starling murmurations Reedbeds, piers & marshes Vast swirling clouds of starlings gather at dusk — the Somerset Levels, Aberystwyth pier and Brighton are famous. Pantomime season Theatres nationwide Oh yes it is — Britain's uniquely daft Christmas theatre tradition fills theatres from December. Dark-sky stargazing Dark-sky parks: Northumberland, Galloway, Eryri, Exmoor Long winter nights bring the clearest stargazing in Britain's dark-sky reserves. February Winter Snowdrop season Woodlands & gardens nationwide The first flowers of the year carpet woodland floors and historic gardens — Cambo, Anglesey Abbey and Welford Park are famous displays. Six Nations rugby Twickenham, Murrayfield, Principality Stadium England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland host home fixtures in the northern hemisphere's biggest rugby championship. Jorvik Viking Festival Re-enactors, combat displays and a longship in Europe's largest Viking festival. London, Manchester, Liverpool Lion dances, parades and street food in the UK's Chinatowns; London's is the biggest celebration outside Asia. Dark-sky stargazing Dark-sky parks: Northumberland, Galloway, Eryri, Exmoor Long winter nights bring the clearest stargazing in Britain's dark-sky reserves. Six Nations rugby Twickenham, Murrayfield, Principality Stadium England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland host home fixtures in the northern hemisphere's biggest rugby championship. Daffodil season Nationwide, especially Wales Wales's national flower blooms across parks, verges and gardens — the Lake District's Ullswater shoreline inspired Wordsworth. Cheltenham Festival Four days of championship National Hunt horse racing culminating in the Gold Cup. Farms & dales nationwide Spring lambs appear across the countryside; many farms and rare-breed centres open for lambing days. Wales's patron saint on 1 March — daffodils, leeks, parades and choirs across the country. Birmingham (NEC) The world's largest dog show — four days of showing, agility and flyball at the NEC. London (Putney–Mortlake) Oxford and Cambridge race their eights along the Tideway on the Thames each spring. Parks, orchards & avenues nationwide Pink and white blossom peaks in parks, orchards and tree-lined avenues through early spring. Farms & dales nationwide Spring lambs appear across the countryside; many farms and rare-breed centres open for lambing days. Ancient woodland nationwide Britain holds around half the world's bluebells — ancient woods turn a haze of blue in late spring. Puffin & seabird season Coastal cliffs & islands Puffins return to breed on cliffs and islands such as the Farne Islands, Skomer, Bempton and the Shetlands. Whitby Goth Weekend A twice-yearly gathering in the Dracula-linked seaside town, spring and autumn. London (Putney–Mortlake) Oxford and Cambridge race their eights along the Tideway on the Thames each spring. Parks, orchards & avenues nationwide Pink and white blossom peaks in parks, orchards and tree-lined avenues through early spring. London Marathon One of the world's great city marathons, tens of thousands running past the capital's landmarks. Aintree, Liverpool The most famous steeplechase in the world, run over Aintree's formidable fences. Shakespeare's Birthday celebrations Stratford-upon-Avon Processions and performances honour the Bard in his home town in late April. World Snooker Championship The Crucible, Sheffield The sport's blue-riband event, 17 days at Sheffield's intimate Crucible Theatre. Beltane Fire Festival Calton Hill, Edinburgh A dramatic modern revival of the ancient May-eve fire festival on Edinburgh's Calton Hill. Ancient woodland nationwide Britain holds around half the world's bluebells — ancient woods turn a haze of blue in late spring. Puffin & seabird season Coastal cliffs & islands Puffins return to breed on cliffs and islands such as the Farne Islands, Skomer, Bempton and the Shetlands. RHS Chelsea Flower Show The world's most famous flower show, staged in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Highland Games season Across Scotland Caber-tossing, piping and dancing at gatherings from Braemar to Cowal through the summer. A ten-day festival of literature and ideas in the Welsh 'town of books'. Wembley, London The showpiece final of football's oldest cup competition. Brighton Festival & Fringe England's largest arts festival outside London, filling the seaside city through May. Padstow 'Obby 'Oss Padstow, Cornwall An ancient May Day custom of hobby-horses, drums and dancing through the Cornish streets. Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling Brockworth, Gloucestershire Competitors hurl themselves down a near-vertical hill chasing a wheel of Double Gloucester on spring bank holiday. Derbyshire & the Peak District Villages decorate their wells with intricate flower-petal pictures right through the summer. Glyndebourne Festival Lewes, East Sussex A summer season of world-class opera in the Sussex countryside — black tie and picnics on the lawn. World Snooker Championship The Crucible, Sheffield The sport's blue-riband event, 17 days at Sheffield's intimate Crucible Theatre. Beltane Fire Festival Calton Hill, Edinburgh A dramatic modern revival of the ancient May-eve fire festival on Edinburgh's Calton Hill. Northern Ireland's largest agricultural show, three days of livestock, food and country pursuits. The Greenyards, Melrose A rugby sevens tournament held at the Greenyards ground in the Scottish Borders town of Melrose in late May. Fèis Ìle — Islay Festival A festival of Islay malt whisky and Gaelic music held across the island in late spring. Portrush, Portstewart & Coleraine Motorcycle road races held each May on the triangle of roads linking Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine. Puffin & seabird season Coastal cliffs & islands Puffins return to breed on cliffs and islands such as the Farne Islands, Skomer, Bempton and the Shetlands. Highland Games season Across Scotland Caber-tossing, piping and dancing at gatherings from Braemar to Cowal through the summer. A ten-day festival of literature and ideas in the Welsh 'town of books'. Glastonbury Festival Worthy Farm, Somerset The UK's largest greenfield music and performing-arts festival (fallow years aside). The Championships, Wimbledon The oldest tennis tournament in the world, played on grass in SW19. Derbyshire & the Peak District Villages decorate their wells with intricate flower-petal pictures right through the summer. Glyndebourne Festival Lewes, East Sussex A summer season of world-class opera in the Sussex countryside — black tie and picnics on the lawn. Trooping the Colour Horse Guards, London The monarch's official birthday parade, with massed bands and a Buckingham Palace balcony flypast. Ascot, Berkshire Five days of top-flight flat racing, royal carriages and extravagant hats. Summer solstice Stonehenge & stone circles Crowds gather at Stonehenge and ancient circles to watch sunrise on the longest day, around 21 June. Download Festival The UK's premier rock and metal festival. Wildflower meadows Meadows & chalk downs nationwide Hay meadows and downland burst into colour with orchids, poppies and cornflowers at midsummer. Epsom Downs, Surrey The most famous flat horse race in the world, run on the Downs since 1780. Royal Highland Show Ingliston, Edinburgh Scotland's national farming showcase on the edge of the capital. Royal Cornwall Show Wadebridge, Cornwall Cornwall's biggest agricultural and country show. Isle of Wight Festival One of Britain's classic music festivals, revived on the island where it began in the 1960s. Lavender fields Norfolk, the Cotswolds & the Home Counties Rows of purple lavender bloom and scent the air across southern England in high summer. Pride in London The capital's huge Pride parade and celebrations through the West End. Aldeburgh Festival Aldeburgh & Snape Maltings, Suffolk A classical music festival founded by the composer Benjamin Britten, held around Aldeburgh and Snape Maltings each June. Royal Norfolk Show Norfolk Showground, Norwich A two-day county agricultural show held at the Norfolk Showground on the outskirts of Norwich each June. Border Common Ridings Scottish Borders towns (Hawick, Selkirk, Jedburgh) Mounted summer festivals held in Scottish Borders towns such as Hawick, Selkirk and Jedburgh, marking the riding of the boundaries. Fèis Ìle — Islay Festival A festival of Islay malt whisky and Gaelic music held across the island in late spring. St Magnus International Festival A midsummer arts and music festival held each June across the islands of Orkney, off Scotland's north coast. Puffin & seabird season Coastal cliffs & islands Puffins return to breed on cliffs and islands such as the Farne Islands, Skomer, Bempton and the Shetlands. Highland Games season Across Scotland Caber-tossing, piping and dancing at gatherings from Braemar to Cowal through the summer. The Championships, Wimbledon The oldest tennis tournament in the world, played on grass in SW19. Royal Albert Hall, London Eight weeks of daily classical concerts ending with the Last Night of the Proms. Llangollen International Eisteddfod Choirs, dancers and musicians from around the world gather in the Dee valley. Derbyshire & the Peak District Villages decorate their wells with intricate flower-petal pictures right through the summer. Glyndebourne Festival Lewes, East Sussex A summer season of world-class opera in the Sussex countryside — black tie and picnics on the lawn. Wildflower meadows Meadows & chalk downs nationwide Hay meadows and downland burst into colour with orchids, poppies and cornflowers at midsummer. Henley Royal Regatta Henley-on-Thames The world's best-known rowing regatta, a fixture of the English summer since 1839. British Grand Prix Formula 1 roars round Silverstone in front of vast home crowds. Great Yorkshire Show One of Britain's biggest agricultural shows — prize livestock, food and country pursuits. Latitude Festival Henham Park, Suffolk Music, comedy, theatre and literature in a genteel Suffolk parkland setting. RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival Hampton Court Palace The world's largest flower show, staged in the grounds of a Tudor palace. Lavender fields Norfolk, the Cotswolds & the Home Counties Rows of purple lavender bloom and scent the air across southern England in high summer. Charlton Park, Wiltshire World music, arts and dance from every continent in a Wiltshire parkland. TRNSMT Festival Glasgow's big city-centre music festival on the banks of the Clyde. Royal Welsh Show One of Europe's largest agricultural shows, the highlight of the Welsh rural year.

Buxton International Festival Buxton, Peak District Opera, music and books in a handsome Georgian spa town. Whitstable Oyster Festival Whitstable, Kent A centuries-old celebration of the native oyster on the north Kent coast. The Open Championship Coastal links (rotating) Golf's oldest major, played on a different British seaside links course each July. Lowther Deer Park, Lake District An independent music festival in the heart of the Lake District. Pride in London The capital's huge Pride parade and celebrations through the West End. Cambridge Folk Festival Cherry Hinton Hall, Cambridge A folk music festival held at Cherry Hinton Hall in Cambridge, taking place in late July and early August. Durham Miners' Gala Durham city centre, County Durham A trade-union and colliery-banner procession through the city of Durham, held on the second Saturday of July. Near Bishop Auckland, County Durham An open-air live-action show telling English history through the ages, staged near Bishop Auckland on summer evenings. Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival Belladrum Estate, near Beauly A music and arts festival held on the Belladrum estate near Beauly during the summer months. Border Common Ridings Scottish Borders towns (Hawick, Selkirk, Jedburgh) Mounted summer festivals held in Scottish Borders towns such as Hawick, Selkirk and Jedburgh, marking the riding of the boundaries. Hebridean Celtic Festival Stornoway, Isle of Lewis A Celtic music festival held each July in Stornoway, the main town on the Isle of Lewis. Snowdon Race (Ras yr Wyddfa) Llanberis to the summit of Snowdon, Gwynedd A mountain race from the village of Llanberis to the summit of Snowdon and back, held each July. Highland Games season Across Scotland Caber-tossing, piping and dancing at gatherings from Braemar to Cowal through the summer. Royal Albert Hall, London Eight weeks of daily classical concerts ending with the Last Night of the Proms. Edinburgh Festival Fringe The world's largest arts festival takes over the whole city every August. Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Edinburgh Castle esplanade Massed pipes, drums and international acts perform on the castle esplanade each August night. Notting Hill Carnival Europe's biggest street carnival, a celebration of Caribbean culture over the August bank holiday. Heather in bloom Moorland — Yorkshire, Peak District, Scotland Upland moors turn purple as the heather flowers in late summer. Derbyshire & the Peak District Villages decorate their wells with intricate flower-petal pictures right through the summer. Glyndebourne Festival Lewes, East Sussex A summer season of world-class opera in the Sussex countryside — black tie and picnics on the lawn. Edinburgh International Book Festival The world's largest public celebration of books and ideas, part of Edinburgh's August. One of the oldest and largest sailing regattas in the world, raced on the Solent. Green Man Festival Music, science and the arts under the mountains of mid Wales. Reading & Leeds Festival Reading & Leeds Twin-site rock and pop festival over the August bank holiday. Manchester Pride One of the UK's biggest Pride celebrations, over the August bank holiday. Lowther Deer Park, Lake District An independent music festival in the heart of the Lake District. Newquay, Cornwall Surf competition and music festival on the Cornish coast. Brighton & Hove Pride One of the UK's biggest and most flamboyant Pride festivals, on the south coast. Cambridge Folk Festival Cherry Hinton Hall, Cambridge A folk music festival held at Cherry Hinton Hall in Cambridge, taking place in late July and early August. Near Bishop Auckland, County Durham An open-air live-action show telling English history through the ages, staged near Bishop Auckland on summer evenings. Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival Belladrum Estate, near Beauly A music and arts festival held on the Belladrum estate near Beauly during the summer months. Border Common Ridings Scottish Borders towns (Hawick, Selkirk, Jedburgh) Mounted summer festivals held in Scottish Borders towns such as Hawick, Selkirk and Jedburgh, marking the riding of the boundaries. Anglesey Agricultural Show Mona Showground, Anglesey A two-day agricultural show held each August at the Mona showground on the island of Anglesey, north Wales. Ould Lammas Fair Ballycastle, County Antrim A traditional street fair held in the seaside town of Ballycastle over the last Monday and Tuesday of August. September Autumn Highland Games season Across Scotland Caber-tossing, piping and dancing at gatherings from Braemar to Cowal through the summer. Royal Albert Hall, London Eight weeks of daily classical concerts ending with the Last Night of the Proms. Heather in bloom Moorland — Yorkshire, Peak District, Scotland Upland moors turn purple as the heather flowers in late summer. Blackpool Illuminations Six miles of the seafront lit up with over a million bulbs from late summer into autumn. Highlands, Exmoor, Richmond Park Stags bellow and clash antlers during the autumn breeding season — spectacular at dawn. Derbyshire & the Peak District Villages decorate their wells with intricate flower-petal pictures right through the summer. Great North Run Newcastle to South Shields The world's biggest half marathon, tens of thousands running to the North East coast. Open House Festival Hundreds of buildings — from skyscrapers to secret gardens — open their doors for free over one weekend. Ludlow Food Festival Ludlow, Shropshire A celebrated gathering of independent food and drink producers in a medieval market town. Goodwood Revival Goodwood, West Sussex A glorious step back in time — vintage motor racing with everyone in period dress. Farms & orchards nationwide Fields, orchards and hop gardens are gathered in; harvest festivals and apple days follow. Abergavenny Food Festival Abergavenny, Monmouthshire Wales's leading food festival, filling a market town at the gateway to the Brecon Beacons. Wigtown Book Festival Wigtown, Dumfries & Galloway Scotland's National Book Town fills with readers and writers each autumn. Abbots Bromley Horn Dance Abbots Bromley, Staffordshire One of England's oldest folk customs — dancers carry ancient reindeer antlers through the village. Tour of Britain Stages across Britain The country's premier professional road-cycling race, a week of stages nationwide. Near Bishop Auckland, County Durham An open-air live-action show telling English history through the ages, staged near Bishop Auckland on summer evenings. Braemar Gathering Braemar, Aberdeenshire A Highland games featuring heavy events, piping and dancing, held at Braemar on the first Saturday of September. Loch Ness Marathon Loch Ness to Inverness, Highlands A point-to-point marathon run along the shore of Loch Ness, finishing in Inverness in early autumn. Tenby, Pembrokeshire A long-distance Ironman-branded triathlon based in and around the seaside town of Tenby, held each September. Blackpool Illuminations Six miles of the seafront lit up with over a million bulbs from late summer into autumn. Highlands, Exmoor, Richmond Park Stags bellow and clash antlers during the autumn breeding season — spectacular at dawn. Woodlands, arboretums & parks nationwide Beech, oak and maple turn gold and russet — Westonbirt, the New Forest and Scottish glens are highlights. Whitby Goth Weekend A twice-yearly gathering in the Dracula-linked seaside town, spring and autumn. Belfast International Arts Festival Northern Ireland's flagship arts festival across theatre, music, dance and visual art. Farms & orchards nationwide Fields, orchards and hop gardens are gathered in; harvest festivals and apple days follow. Leicester & nationwide Leicester hosts some of the largest Diwali celebrations outside India, lights and fireworks along the Golden Mile. Nottingham Goose Fair One of Europe's oldest travelling fairs, dating back over 700 years. Rivers & falls nationwide Atlantic salmon leap upstream to spawn — spectacular at Pitlochry, Stainforth Force and the Ettrick. Wigtown Book Festival Wigtown, Dumfries & Galloway Scotland's National Book Town fills with readers and writers each autumn. Cheltenham Literature Festival The world's oldest literature festival, ten days of authors, ideas and debate. Loch Ness Marathon Loch Ness to Inverness, Highlands A point-to-point marathon run along the shore of Loch Ness, finishing in Inverness in early autumn. Cardiff Half Marathon Cardiff city centre A half marathon that runs through the streets of the Welsh capital, Cardiff, each October. Derry Halloween Derry~Londonderry A city-wide Halloween festival featuring a parade, elaborate costumes and fireworks, held each October in Derry~Londonderry. November Autumn Blackpool Illuminations Six miles of the seafront lit up with over a million bulbs from late summer into autumn. Woodlands, arboretums & parks nationwide Beech, oak and maple turn gold and russet — Westonbirt, the New Forest and Scottish glens are highlights. Belfast International Arts Festival Northern Ireland's flagship arts festival across theatre, music, dance and visual art. Nationwide; Lewes is famous Fireworks and bonfires on and around 5 November; Lewes in Sussex holds Britain's largest celebrations. Poppies and services mark Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day; the Tower of London and Cenotaph are focal points. Christmas markets Cities nationwide Festive stalls and mulled wine — Bath, Manchester, Birmingham (Frankfurt Market), Edinburgh and York are among the biggest. Christmas light trails Gardens & estates nationwide After-dark illuminated trails light up Kew, Blenheim, Longleat, Kew and many National Trust estates. Leicester & nationwide Leicester hosts some of the largest Diwali celebrations outside India, lights and fireworks along the Golden Mile. Rivers & falls nationwide Atlantic salmon leap upstream to spawn — spectacular at Pitlochry, Stainforth Force and the Ettrick. Lord Mayor's Show An 800-year-old procession of floats, bands and the gilded state coach through the City. Starling murmurations Reedbeds, piers & marshes Vast swirling clouds of starlings gather at dusk — the Somerset Levels, Aberystwyth pier and Brighton are famous. London to Brighton Veteran Car Run London to Brighton The world's longest-running motoring event — pre-1905 cars trundling to the coast. Grey seal pupping Coasts nationwide White-coated grey seal pups appear on beaches and dunes — Donna Nook, Blakeney Point and the Farnes are key sites. Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels Ottery St Mary, Devon Flaming tar barrels are carried on the shoulders through the Devon town on Bonfire Night. Dark-sky stargazing Dark-sky parks: Northumberland, Galloway, Eryri, Exmoor Long winter nights bring the clearest stargazing in Britain's dark-sky reserves. December Winter Christmas markets Cities nationwide Festive stalls and mulled wine — Bath, Manchester, Birmingham (Frankfurt Market), Edinburgh and York are among the biggest. Christmas light trails Gardens & estates nationwide After-dark illuminated trails light up Kew, Blenheim, Longleat, Kew and many National Trust estates. Edinburgh & across Scotland Scotland's spectacular New Year celebrations, with Edinburgh's street party among the world's biggest. Starling murmurations Reedbeds, piers & marshes Vast swirling clouds of starlings gather at dusk — the Somerset Levels, Aberystwyth pier and Brighton are famous. Nine Lessons and Carols King's College, Cambridge The world-famous Christmas Eve carol service, broadcast from King's College Chapel. Grey seal pupping Coasts nationwide White-coated grey seal pups appear on beaches and dunes — Donna Nook, Blakeney Point and the Farnes are key sites. New Year's Eve fireworks The capital sees in the New Year with a huge fireworks display over the Thames and the London Eye. Pantomime season Theatres nationwide Oh yes it is — Britain's uniquely daft Christmas theatre tradition fills theatres from December. Dark-sky stargazing Dark-sky parks: Northumberland, Galloway, Eryri, Exmoor Long winter nights bring the clearest stargazing in Britain's dark-sky reserves. Allendale Tar Bar'l Allendale, Northumberland A fiery Hogmanay custom — villagers parade blazing barrels of tar on their heads to a midnight bonfire. 122 seasonal highlights and counting. Dates for annual events vary year to year — always check the official site before travelling.