UK Events during January
Haxey Hood
Haxey Hood (Haxey, England)
Haxey Hood is a 700 year old traditional game that is played annually in the village of Haxey on the twelth day of Christmas (6 Jan) or the 5th Jan if that is a Sunday. This is certainly a unique event/game whereby a person known as the fool and dressed in a extravagant colourful outfit starts the game holding a pipe which is the hood. The aim of the game is to get the hood to one of the pubs which represents a village which is done in what can be best described as a rugby scrum. The pub that wins the Hood then is supposed to offer a free drink to everyone. More detail and interesting history information here.
Getting there: Train from London Kings Cross to Doncaster which takes about 2 hours (Around £37 return booking early) and then a cab (£25 one way). Check train times and prices here. You want to be there for about 12.
Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival
Whittlesea Straw bear Festival (Whittlesey, Peterborough, England)
A weird festival that parades straw bears around town and they then burn the bear. If you want to see something a little odd and different make your way to Whittlesey near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.
Getting There: Catch train from Kings Cross to Whittlesea changing at Peterborough which takes about 1 1/2 hours. Check here for details. Tickets booked early vary between £23 and £31 return. Alternatively drive and explore Cambridge and the surrounding area.
Up Helly AA
Up Helly AA (Lerwick, Shetland, Scotland)
The Shetlands are always going to be cold and windy so you might as well visit them in Winter and there is no better time than during than their annual Up Helly AA festival which has an amazing fire lit torch procession in traditional costume and ritual like bonfire combined with a variety of other events during the day. The Sheltands are a unique and fascinating place to visit in their own right but the spectacle of Up Helly AA would make this an unforgettable experience worth cherishing.
Getting There: You will need a connecting flight from Scotland and this means the journey from London can take about 4 hours. Try find flights using Liligo. The best place to source accommodation is on the Shetlands visitor website. This trip expect to budget for at least £500 in flights and accommodation if you book early and about 3-5 days off work.
Europe events during January
Festa Nazionale Della Befana
Festa nazionale Della Befana (Urbania, Italy)
Urbania is a medieval village in Italy famous for being host to the Della Befana festival each year. Della Befana is a female witch version of Santa Claus who delivers gifts to children each year on epiphany eve (5th January). The town of Urbania gets packed during the festival and has many Della Befana's flying around and providing gifts to children.
Getting there from London: Fly to Milan, Bologna, Rome, Rimini or Ancona, then take a train to Pesaro, and a bus to Urbania.
