To help keep you inspired and engaged, our Living Well Team created a variety of themed activities and helpful resources.
The theme for the this set of resources is festivals.
We hope you enjoy the content, are inspired to get creative, and active too. We would love to hear from you, so let us know how you get on with the resources. You can email your feedback and pictures to us.
Learn about Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is one of the most important holidays in China, and is celebrated across the world.
Follow this link to read all about Chinese New Year.
The first day of the next Chinese New Year will be 12th February 2021. It will be the Year of the Ox.
Read about each animal of the Chinese Zodiac. A total of 12 animals make up the periodic cycle of the Zodiac, relating to the Chinese calendar.
Find out the story behind the order of animals in the Chinese Zodiac, by following this link.
Find out about Thanksgiving
Click this link to read all about this annual national holiday celebrated in the USA and Canada. Thanksgiving celebrates harvest, and blessings of the year.
Discover the history of Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. Also known as Carnival or Carnaval, it’s celebrated in many countries around the world. Follow this link to discover the history of Mardi Gras.
You can find out more about festivals around the world by clicking this link to view a presentation.
Woo Fest
Read this article all about the award-winning Woo Fest music festival. Set up in 2015, it has raised more than £75,000 for St Richard’s Hospice. Incredible! Find out more.
The Well Dressing Festival in Malvern
The Well Dressing Festival is organised by the Malvern Spa Association once a year on the May Bank Holiday.
It had to be cancelled this year but the same theme ‘yellow’ will be celebrated next year. Read an article on the annual festival by clicking this link.
Learn your name in Morse code day – January 11th
This day is apparently always held on the 11th January, although Morse Code Day is held on the 27th April.Learn your name in Morse code day was created in 2015 by Sheila Cicchi from Virginia. Sheila thought it would be a fun way to learn Morse code by teaching yourself your name first.
Can you create your name in Morse Code?
Festivals and celebrations quiz
Test your knowledge of this page’s theme, and see how many celebrations you can recognise from the pictures. Follow this link to view the quiz.
Festivities, food and drink
Celebrations are an important part of our lives. We share together in each other’s joys – and sorrows too. Whatever the celebration there is a coming together of a group of people all sharing in the same event. And that means a sharing of food and drink!
Take a look at the attached document to view a recipe for delicious, non-alcoholic punch which is perfect for wintery gatherings – while observing social distancing guidance!
Did you know…
There are many diverse and interesting festivals around the world, some of which take place right here in the UK. For example, have you ever heard of the Rochester Sweeps Festival?
Some of the most familiar festivals have elements which may surprise you too. For example, did you know St Valentine is also the patron saint of epilepsy? Read more about festivals by clicking this link.
Festivals in November
All Saint’s Day, Diwali, Thanksgiving, and St Andrew’s Day all take place during November. Read more about the festivals which take place this month.
Festival film recommendations
Many classic films feature colourful festivals: from the German-American cultural celebration known as Von Steuben Day in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, to St Patrick’s Day in The Fugitive. Take a look at our list of recommendations by following this link.