cultural celebration | International Office Blog

Red and gold graphic wishing a happy luna new year with a golden snake on a red background

A year of transformation and growth: Celebrating the wood snake for Chinese New Year 2025

29 January marks the start of Chinese New Year. This year marks the end of the Year of the Dragon and the start of the Year of the Snake, which is set to bring wisdom, renewal and transformation. What is Chinese New Year? Sometimes referred to as the Spring festival or simply the Lunar New…

Happy Hanukkah featuring the Menorah and the Star of David

Celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah this December

The eight day Jewish holiday known as Hanukkah begins on 25 December 2024 and ends on 2 January 2025. During this time, the Jewish community take time to reflect and participate in traditional foods, games and gifting. What is Hanukkah? Hanukkah (or Chanukah) means ‘dedication’ in Hebrew and is an eight day long celebration, usually…

Day of the Dead title surrounded by colourful flowers and skulls with text in the centre.

Day of the Dead: Commemorate both life and death this November

2 November marks the start of one of the most celebrated and treasured traditions in Central and South America. Day of the dead is a three-day long celebration that brings love, light and joy to a concept that is often surrounded in sadness. It is said that Mexico’s outlook on the passing of loved ones…

Happy Diwali colourful blog image with floral elements and candles

Celebrate the festival of lights for Diwali 2024!

This year, the celebration of Diwali will begin on 1 November 2024 and last for five days. Diwali, also known as Deepawali, is a festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists. What is Diwali? Diwali, or the festival of light, is an important religious holiday. Originating from India, Diwali is named ‘row of lights’…

The holiest day in Judaism, Yom Kippur

The tenth day of the Tishri lunar month marks the start of the Jewish religious holiday, Yom Kippur. This year Yom Kippur will be celebrated from sunset on Friday 11 October and ends the following evening on Saturday 12 October 2024. Yom Kippur falls ten days after the start of Rosh Hashanah, which is the…

Where to go in Brighton for American style pancakes to commemorate the Fourth of July!

What do Americans celebrate on Fourth of July? Officially known as Independence Day in America, 4 July is a national holiday that marks the passage of the Declaration of Independence. Dating back to the 18th Century during the American Revolution, 2 July saw the Continental Congress vote in favour of independence. On 4 July delegates…

Graphic celebrating the Buddhist religious holiday Vesak

Happy Vesak Day: An insight into the history of Buddhism and the Vesak celebration

Thursday 23 May marks this year’s Vesak celebration for those in the Buddhist community. Vesak is a time for bringing happiness to others and paying homage to the religious figure Buddha. What is Vesak? Vesak has many names, and is most commonly referred to as Wesak, Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, Buddha Day and even Buddha’s…