January is known for being a long, cold, and dark month. Yet, it’s also a great time to start planning trips and holidays for the year ahead.
So, if you’re eager to banish the winter blues by giving yourself something to look forward to, read on to discover seven major UK events and celebrations taking place in the UK in 2025.
1. Bradford City of Culture
Every four years, the Department for Digital, Culture and Sport runs a competition to select a UK City of Culture. The winner is recognised for its outstanding achievements in delivering culture-led regeneration.
On 21 May 2022, Bradford was announced as the 2025 holder of this prestigious title.
With a diverse programme of more than 1,000 cultural events, shows, and exhibitions running throughout the year, you can enjoy the festivities whenever you choose to visit in 2025.
Get involved in Bradford-born artist, David Hockney’s drawing project, marvel at the stunning works of calligraphy and boxing in the Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, or enjoy an immersive sound walk over the moors above Haworth.
2. Leicester Comedy Festival
Between 5 and 23 February, venues across the city will take part in one of the largest and longest-running comedy festivals in the UK.
First launched in 1994, this popular celebration of laughter, creativity, and community, has grown considerably over the years and is now a major event in the UK comedy calendar.
This year, the line up includes stand up performances by Natalie Durkin, Katherine Ryan, Darren Walsh, and John O’Keefe, to name just a few. There are also numerous comedy club nights and exciting new acts to entertain you.
3. The 10th anniversary of the Yorkshire Dales Dark Skies Festival
The North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales National Parks are blissfully free from light pollution, making this an ideal part of the world to explore the beauty of the night sky.
Between 14 February and 2 March, the 10th Dark Skies Festival will bring together a variety of events for all ages will be hosted throughout the region.
Join stargazing talks by expert astronomers to learn more about the night sky and our universe, get active by taking part in a night-time fell run, or have fun making dark skies crafts.
4. The 25th Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival in Belfast
With over 150 live events across Belfast, the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival is an incredible celebration of live music, comedy, theatre, spoken word, literature and street art.
Between 1 to 11 May, you can enjoy a varied programme of big names, emerging acts, and fringe performances.
First launched in 2000, with an audience of just over 5,000, this dynamic festival now attracts over 60,000 people to Belfast.
Beyond this event, Northern Ireland’s capital offers a wealth of cultural and historical attractions to explore, making it a fantastic destination for a city break or an extended stay in 2025.
5. Chelsea Flower Show
This world-famous flower show is a highlight in the calendar for all gardening lovers. Even if you’re not blessed with green fingers, the Chelsea Flower Show offers a wonderful day out.
Hosted annually by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the event includes show gardens designed by leading names such as Tom Stuart-Smith and Matthew Childs.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to see cutting-edge displays and discover emerging gardening trends.
The show runs from 20 to 24 May and tickets are likely to sell out fast. So, if this is high on your wish list for 2025, book your place as soon as you can.
6. Balmoral Highland Games
The Highland Games have been an important part of Scotland’s culture since at least the 11th century.
They now stretch across Scotland from the far north of the Highlands, down to Peebles in the south, and across from the island of South Uist in the west to Aberdeenshire in the east.
Most of the games take place on Saturdays and Sundays between May and the end of September. They feature traditional Highland sports such as the caber toss and the hammer throw.
There’s also Highland dancing and music to enjoy, not to mention plenty of food and drink stalls to keep you energised throughout the day.
As darkness falls, some of the games continue with music, ceilidhs and discos.
Whether you’ve never been before or you’re returning for more, the Highland Games offer an experience you’ll never forget.
7. The Women’s Rugby World Cup at venues across the UK
The 10th edition of the Women’s Rugby World Cup is a huge event in the UK’s sporting calendar.
The opening game will kick off at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland on 22 August and the final is scheduled to take place on 27 September at Twickenham Stadium in London.
Between these dates, you can attend games at eight cities and venues across the UK, including Brighton & Hove, Bristol, Exeter, London, Manchester, Northampton, Sunderland, and York.
The next ticket phase opens at 11 am on Tuesday 2 February.
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Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
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