A Canadian expat shares her strangest Christmas in a London flat, bonding with a flatmate over a jarring film and an unconventional lunch. Discover the oddities of the festive season away from home.
Everything you need to know about London's famous Christmas Eve meat auction at Smithfield Market. Find times, tips, and how to bag a festive bargain.
Discover Montol, Cornwall's unique winter solstice festival in Penzance. From horse skull 'osses' and pagan rituals to sprout-throwing revelry, explore how this community event lights up the darkest day.
A journalist reflects on missing her annual festive hometown reunion for the first time, exploring the unique nostalgia and chaos of Christmas Eve back home. Share your story with us.
As Christmas 2025 approaches, Ukrainian refugees in the UK share how they preserve their festive traditions, from St Nicholas Day to Holy Supper, while mourning lives shattered by Russia's full-scale invasion.
Polly Hudson reveals how 15 years of festive squabbles over tinsel, turkey and Aled Jones led to a yuletide truce with her Christmas-obsessed husband. Discover their seasonal survival guide.
A mother explains how telling her children Santa only brings stocking fillers changed Christmas, reducing pressure and fostering gratitude. Discover her simple family rule.
The Duchess of Sussex reveals her family's sweet festive rituals in California, including leaving carrots for reindeer, as the Sussexes celebrate another Christmas away from UK royals.
A writer's scathing critique of the forced frivolity of White Elephant gift exchanges. Discover why this holiday ritual of disappointment and theft should be made extinct this festive season.
A new survey reveals millions of Brits are breaking Christmas dinner traditions with chips and baked beans, but Londoners cling to Yorkshire puddings. Discover the festive food revolution.
Explore the fascinating history of the Christmas tree, from Roman Saturnalia to Norwegian church floors. Discover how the Norway spruce became a festive staple and its surprising practical uses.
Discover four ingenious Elf on the Shelf pranks from a creative mum, plus a time-saving app that uses AI to create magical elf scenes for your children.
The Guardian wants to hear from UK readers about their 2025 Christmas plans. Are you embracing the festive season early or holding back? Share your story and thoughts on the holiday spirit.
The UK government is asking the public to nominate traditions like cheese rolling and Burns Night for UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list. Submit your ideas by February.
A six-year-old's 1883 letter to Santa, found in newspaper archives, shows children's festive wishes haven't changed in 140 years. Discover the origins of this UK tradition.
A decade-long struggle with reusable advent calendars reveals the impossible quest for fairness, festivity, and usefulness. Discover why one parent now starts planning in July.
Discover the quirky festive rituals of Guardian writers, from ice-skating at Hampton Court Palace to 'intermittent wrapping' and bizarre mermaid ornaments. Find your new Christmas tradition.
Middlesex County Cricket Club chief executive Andrew Cornish is under investigation by the Cricket Regulator following a staff misconduct allegation. Learn the latest developments.
The Cornish language, Kernewek, has been submitted for the highest level of protection under the European Charter. Discover how this historic move will impact education, law, and culture in Cornwall.
Discover the magical Cornish retelling of The Little Mermaid at Watermill Theatre. This festive show features live folk music and stunning puppetry until 4 January 2025.
From wassailing to green Santas, Guardian readers reveal the ancient Yuletide customs they'd love to bring back for a more authentic British Christmas experience.
Discover why serving Thanksgiving dinner at 3pm creates family tension in British households and how to navigate this American tradition on UK soil. Read more.
Explore how Thanksgiving resonates in the UK, balancing commercial cynicism with genuine connection through food and tradition. Discover why this American holiday matters.
Discover Tim Anderson's cherry marzipan kringle recipe, a Danish pastry tradition from Racine, Wisconsin perfect for Thanksgiving celebrations and family gatherings.
Discover how Panama's Guna community uses theatrical battle re-enactments to preserve their revolutionary history and cultural identity for future generations.
Discover the forgotten Christmas traditions Brits want to revive this festive season. From wassailing to parlour games, explore which customs are making a comeback.
An Extinction Rebellion activist scaled the Norwegian Christmas tree destined for Trafalgar Square in an oil protest. Discover how this disrupted a 78-year tradition.
A Malaysian writer in Germany discovers her mother's baking legacy wasn't about perfection but about love and perseverance. Read how she found connection through imperfect cookies.
The iconic Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Tour returns for its 15th UK anniversary in 2025, visiting 15 locations and supporting FareShare with a donation equivalent to one million meals.
Discover Ahmed Samaa's extraordinary audition album that blends global music traditions in a stunning act of devotion. Read our full review of this genre-defying masterpiece.