One-Off and Off Beat

THE EVENTS CALENDAR across our green and pleasant land is rife with eccentricity and tradition. It’s a classic British combination. hundreds of local fairs, festivals and competitions have evolved over the centuries commemorating historic events, geographic features and regional passions. Many have grown to become more than local happenings, and attract enthusiastic spectators and participants from across Britain and the globe. Here is an eclectic collection of great experiences not to overlook.

1. UP HELLY AA

Follow the Jarl Squads through the streets of Lerwick, Shetland in the annual torchlight festival the last Tuesday in January. Recalling the islands’ Viking roots, more than 1,000 torches light the streets. You’ll need the torches; it’s pretty dark up there this time of year.
www.uphellyaa.org

2. YORK VIKING FESTIVAL

The largest Viking festival in Europe celebrates York’s Scandinavian heritage of 1,000 years ago. Held in February, when Vikings celebrated the coming of spring, the annual Jorvik Viking Festival is a fixture on popular York’s calendar. Enter the Best Beard contest and visit the Coopergate Viking Camp.
www.jorvik-viking-festival.co.uk

3. APPLEBY HORSE FAIR

The largest annual gathering in Europe of Gypsies and Travellers is held the first week in June in Appleby, Cumbria. Some 15,000 Gypsies meet for horse racing and trading, and for family reunions and celebrations of all sorts for the colorful, nomadic people. It’s been going since they were given a Royal charter in 1685.
www.applebyfair.org

4. GLASTONBURY PILGRIMAGE

Begun in 1924, on a June Saturday the annual ecclesiastical pilgrimage is a colorful church procession culminating in a service in the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey church at what is believed to be the oldest Christian site in Britain. The devout gather from across England, but visitors from around the world are pilgrims, too.
www.glastonburypilgrimage.com

5. TROOPING THE COLOUR

Everyone gets a birthday, but The Queen celebrates two: her natal day in April and an official celebration that takes place every June. In a ceremony held since the days of King Charles II, the monarch takes the Royal Salute from the regiments on Horseguards Parade, while the RAF performs a flyby over London.
www.trooping-the-colour.co.uk

6. LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL EISTEDDFOD

The first week in July the eisteddfod in the north Wales market town brings international choral performers, folk dancers and soloists in the world’s most prestigious juried choral competition. The highlight is choirs, competing for the title “Choir of the World,” at the place “Where Wales Welcomes the World.”
www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk

7. EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO

For three weeks in August, the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle is staging area for this nightly showcase of British military precision, music and martial skills. Performance military units from several countries join the Scottish regiments and the skirl of the pipes. They call it the greatest show on earth, and they might be right.
www.edintattoo.co.uk

8. NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL

This colorful explosion of Caribbean culture in London has blossomed into a riot of music and costume parades that take over London’s Notting Hill neighborhood. It’s been held on August Bank Holiday weekend since 1966 and grows every year.
www.thenottinghillcarnival.com

9. GUY FAWKES NIGHT

English children have been collecting “a penny for the Guy” since the 17th century. Bonfire night is celebrated all over the country, but nowhere more famously than in the East Sussex market town of Lewes. Or watch the huge fireworks display Thamesside in London shot over Tower Bridge.
www.bonfirenight.net

10. LONDON TO BRIGHTON VETERAN CAR RUN

These jaunty jalopies all predate 1905. Vehicles and drivers meet from across the globe for the world’s oldest motoring event. The rally begins in Hyde Park and weaves through country roads 60 miles to Brighton Beach. Watch the parade of vintage autos cross Westminster Bridge, or head for a country pub en route.
www.veterancarrun.com