Comparative Table

HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONS

MAY DAY / LABOR DAY

UNITED STATES

UNITED KINGDOM

May Day is observed on the first Monday in May. While it has associations with the labor movement, it is also celebrated as a traditional springtime festival with customs like maypole dancing and Morris dancing.

Labor Day is observed on the first Monday in September.

Labor Day in the US is primarily a day to celebrate the achievements of American workers and is often associated with the end of summer and the beginning of the fall season.

May Day in the UK has broader cultural significance beyond just labor rights. It is also associated with traditional spring celebrations and folklore.

May Day in the UK has ancient roots in pagan festivals celebrating the arrival of spring and later became associated with workers' rights movements, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Labor Day in the US has its origins in the late 19th century labor movement, particularly following events like the Haymarket Affair in Chicago and the Pullman Strike.

HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONS

HALLOWEEN

UNITED STATES

UNITED KINGDOM

Main celebration on October 31, derived from Celtic and Christian festivities. Tradition of carving pumpkins, trick-or-treating and costumes. Homes and neighborhoods decorated with lights, carved pumpkins, skeletons, horror and weacky themes. Widely practiced, especially in suburbs and residential areas. The children dress up and go from house to house asking for candy. There are parades, costume parties, visits to haunted houses, and themed events at amusement parks. and some of the most commonly consumed foods are sweets and treats, as well as themed dishes such as caramel apples and pumpkin pie.

Mainly October 31, but with some variations in the date of celebration. Similar origin, influenced by Celtic festivities. Focus on costumes, pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating, similar decorations are used, with an emphasis on the spooky and macabre, it is a less common practice, but is gaining popularity, especially in urban areas. Costume parties, events in bars and clubs, and some community activities are held, sweets and sweets are consumed, as well as traditional British dishes adapted to the occasion.

HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONS

NEW YEAR

UNITED STATES

UNITED KINGDOM

In England, clocks symbolise the transition that occurs at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. The celebration in London focuses on Big Ben, the bell, and by association, the clock housed in the clock tower at the Palace of Westminster.

Many Americans favor eating a plate of lentil soup on New Year's Eve because the shape of the lentil is reminiscent of the shape of a coin. According to popular tradition, eating the hearty dish on December 31st will bring a flood of money and good luck in the coming year.

If you're celebrating with a group of friends or in a public space with hundreds of people, the New Year's Eve countdown is an essential ritual. The last ten seconds before midnight are counted down loudly and together before fireworks welcome the new year. Afterwards, many people toast with a glass of champagne or record a loved one.

Across the UK, and indeed much of the English-speaking world, the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" has become synonymous with the stroke of midnight. This traditional Scottish song, penned by poet Robert Burns, serves as a heartfelt farewell to the old year and a warm welcome to the new.

Just like in many parts of the world, setting New Year's resolutions is a common practice in the UK. People take this opportunity to reflect on the past year, identify areas for personal growth, and set goals for the coming months.

The rule in many US households is that nothing is allowed to leave the house on New Year's Eve. According to superstition, anyone who does not comply with this principle will experience misfortune in the coming year.

HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONS

THANKSGIVING

UNITED STATES

UNITED KINGDOM

Thanksgiving is not widely observed in the UK, although some expatriate communities or individuals may celebrate it. The UK has a different historical context for harvest festivals, such as the Harvest Festival of the Anglican Church.

Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. It originated as a harvest festival and has become a time for families to gather, share a festive meal, and express gratitude for blessings and relationships.

HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONS

THE SUMMER BANK

UNITED STATES

UNITED KINGDOM

The US doesn't have a national summer bank holiday equivalent to the UK. However, Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday of September, serves a similar purpose. Similar emphasis on outdoor activities, barbecues, and family gatherings, often featuring parades and fireworks. Like the UK, many businesses, government offices, and schools may close for Labor Day. In the US, Labor Day is often marked by parades, honoring the contributions of workers to the country. Labor Day is also known for back-to-school sales, as it is seen as the unofficial end of summer and the beginning of the school year and college football season traditionally kicks off around Labor Day, and sports events are popular during the long weekend.

Celebrated on the last Monday of August, marking the end of the summer season.The focus is on outdoor activities, festivals, and parades organized by towns and cities. Most banks, government offices, and schools are closed, giving workers a day off. Local communities often host events and gatherings, fostering a sense of community spirit.It is associated with retail sales and promotions, leading to increased shopping during the long weekend.

HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONS

PASCUA

UNITED STATES

UNITED KINGDOM

At Easter in the United Kingdom, tradition unites with Christianity and pagan customs, rituals take new forms where society celebrates both the birth of the sun and the awakening of nature, as well as the resurrection of Christ.

This year, the celebration will be on Sunday, March 31.

In the USA the idea of the Easter bunny and intense religious celebrations do not have much to do with this celebration.

That day the older ones hide painted eggs full of goodies for the little ones to find. It is said that it is the Easter Bunny who hides the eggs to be searched for by children. A very traditional moment and expected by families. Weeks before, preparations begin, especially in schools, giving strength to this tradition.

It is part of Easter, and Good Friday is a public holiday throughout the United Kingdom; On this date, meat is not consumed and popular fish and chips dishes are opted for at dinner time.

Some of the typical food is Easter ham, it is a delicious stew cooked with spices, potatoes and vegetables as a garnish.

Chocolate eggs are the stars of Easter in the United Kingdom, because children spend part of this holiday finding them in parks or gardens.

HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONS

CHRISTMAS

UNITED STATES

UNITED KINGDOM

The main date of celebration is December 25 in both countries, in the United Kingdom, Boxing Day (December 26) is also very significant, it is a holiday after Christmas when shopping is usually done. Christmas decorations typicaly include Christmas trees, garlands, outdoor lights, wreaths, and Nativity figures. Brits also tend to enjoy traditions such as Christmas crackers and decorating with mistletoe.

Christmas decorations are similar, with Christmas trees, garlands, outdoor lights and wreaths. Americans also have traditions such as hanging stockings in the fireplace for Santa Claus to fill with gifts and creating elaborate light displays outside homes. Community events, such as Christmas parades, Christmas markets, and light shows, are popular in both cultures, although specific details may vary.

May Day is celebrated with a variety of traditional customs and events, including maypole dancing, Morris dancing, and village fairs, alongside more contemporary labor-related activities.

The concept of Labor Day/May Day in the UK recognize and honor the contributions and achievements of workers.

Labor Day is often marked by outdoor activities such as barbecues, picnics, and recreational events, as well as sales and promotions by retailers.

Traditionally, both Labor Day in the US and May Day in the UK have been marked by parades, demonstrations, and other public events organized by labor unions and workers' rights organizations.

Both holidays have historical roots in labor movements and the fight for workers' rights. They originated during periods of industrialization when labor conditions were often harsh and workers faced long hours, low wages, and unsafe working conditions.

No New Year's celebration in the UK is complete without a spectacular fireworks display. Cities like London, Edinburgh, and Cardiff light up the night sky with dazzling pyrotechnics, drawing crowds of spectators eager to witness the breathtaking spectacle. The fireworks symbolize the collective excitement and optimism that comes with the start of a new chapter.

The most famous New Year's Eve party in America is celebrated in New York's Times Square every year. The legendary Ball Drop at midnight has been taking place since 1907. The New Year's Eve Ball is essentially an oversized disco ball with thousands of LED lights that is lowered from a flagpole on the roof of the One Times Square skyscraper at the turn of the year. The event is accompanied by a pompous fireworks show, a musical program with a star-studded lineup, and about 1,400 kg of confetti that rains down on the approximately one million spectators in Times Square.

Other major New Year events are held in the cities of Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, and Newcastle.

In Yorkshire, people say ‘Black rabbits, black rabbits, black rabbits’ in the closing seconds of the old year. Then they say, ‘White rabbits, white rabbits, white rabbits,’ as their first utterance of the New Year. This is suppose to bring good luck.

At the turn of the year, American streets are always exceptionally clean. This is not only due to diligent cleaning services but also to a custom called "nothing goes out." According to this, no items are to be removed from the home before the new year starts. The rule in many US households is that nothing is allowed to leave the house on New Year's Eve. According to superstition, anyone who does not comply with this principle will experience misfortune in the coming year.

Scotland has its unique way of ushering in the new year with the famous Hogmanay festival. This three-day celebration involves street parties, live music, and the iconic "first-footing" tradition, where the first person to enter a home after midnight brings symbolic gifts, such as coins, bread, salt, and whisky, to wish good fortune for the upcoming year.

Other classic US New Year's Eve foods include "Hoppin' John," a stew of black-eyed peas, and "Collard Greens," a dish consisting of ham, peas, rice, and cabbage. The green color of the cabbage stands for dollar bills, and the peas symbolize coins. Like the lentil soup, the dishes promise economic well-being and good fortune in the new year.

The Easter bunny in the United Kingdom is the character who paints and hides the eggs that children look for during the famous Egg Hunt. The Morris dance, which seeks to attract good luck, and the Britannia Coconut Dancers are part of the typical dances during the festivities in that region.

Maundy Thursday is not a holiday like in other countries, so this celebration is only celebrated by the monarch, offering money in a red and white bag for clothing and provisions, known as Royal Maundy; A man and a woman are the ones who receive the offering, which must correspond to each year of the monarch's age.

Hot buns are another very traditional product on these dates, they are closely associated with Good Friday. Roast Lamb and Easter Bread, two other very recurrent foods at Easter, which symbolize purity and fasting in Lent.

Easter food in the United Kingdom includes Pancake's Day, which is the tradition of eating pancakes; In the case of Palm Day, churches give people “pax cakes” or “peace cakes” at the end of a service.

Many churches celebrate special services on Easter Sunday and different liturgical acts associated with the resurrection take place, such as processions. Easter Sunday is not usually a holiday, but depending on the location, the hours of certain businesses are limited.

Typical Christmas food includes roast turkey, Christmas pudding, mince pies, Christmas cake and roast vegetables such as potatoes and carrots. Popular Christmas drinks include wine, eggnog (eggnog), and mulled cider.

The typical Christmas meal also includes roast turkey, but it is accompanied by dishes such as glazed ham, mashed potatoes, and desserts such as Christmas cookies and pumpkin pie.

Eggnog is also popular, along with mulled cider and hot chocolate.