Why are cultural events important? We believe cultural events are valuable because they are about celebrating traditions and community.
In the UK there live people from all over the world. One week they could be at Notting Hill Carnival dancing to reggae rhythms and celebrating Caribbean culture and another week they could be taking part in Chinese New Year Celebrations.
Cultural events like these allow immigrants to feel connected to their home and allow non-immigrants to widen their perspectives. You are able to live a fuller and more enriching life when you experience something different and exciting on a regular basis.
Today we’ll be looking at some of the most significant cultural immigrant events in the UK and what makes them so special.
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Notting Hill Carnival
The Notting Hill Carnival has been turning the streets of London into a party since the 1960s. The annual event is a celebration of Caribbean culture that takes place in the Notting Hill area of Kensington every August.
The Carnival is one of the world’s biggest outdoor events in the world with around 2.5 million attendees every year. You can expect great food and wonderful music from all around the Caribbean including soca, dancehall, reggae and Calypso music. It is a true celebration of West Indian immigrant culture in London and it draws in people from all over the country and the world.
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YAM Carnival
YAM Carnival is a weekend celebration of African culture from across the world that takes place on Clapham Common in London. The Carnival features music from across the African diaspora and is another chance for people from all around the UK to come together and celebrate.
It is a cultural event that shows off the food, dancing and music of the African people and includes musical artists like Davido, Ms Banks, Ari Lennox, Yemi Alade and Darkoo.
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Chinese New Year Celebrations
The Chinese New Year is one of the most significant annual celebrations for Chinese people around the globe. The new year follows the lunar calendar and falls on different dates each year.
In the UK, Chinese New Year is celebrated by Chinese families and communities across the country. In London, the celebrations are particularly exciting in Soho’s famous ChinaTown where Chinese culture is prevalent all year round. It is a colourful and vibrant time that allows people of other cultures to learn about Chinese traditions and celebrations.
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OktoberFest
If you are into beer then OktoberFest might be your favorite culture immigrant event. Oktoberfest is a Bavarian Festival held and celebrated in Germany and Austria that is commemorated annually with the drinking of vast quantities of beer and the eating of a variety of wonderfully filling meats.
It is a chance for the people of the UK to get a taste of authentic German culture and learn a bit about Bavarian beer. Various events are held across the UK to celebrate Oktoberfest including the Camden Oktoberfest and the London Bierfest
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Naija in the Park
Naija in the Park is an arts and culture festival that takes place in London every summer. The event celebrates the rich and vibrant culture of Nigeria. As well as providing a proper party atmosphere, the festival “aims to provide a social, cultural, educational and business networking platform for all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria in the UK.”
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Diwali Festival
Diwali is the five-day Festival of Lights, celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Hains and some Buddhists around the world. The festival is usually celebrated by decorating homes and public spaces with lights, vibrant colours and candles.
The festival is a time for a celebration and it is also a time for reflection. Diwali celebrates forgiveness, joy, knowledge and is meant to commemorate the triumph of good over evil. London’s main Diwali celebrations take place in Trafalgar square with around 30,000 in attendance.
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Eid Festival
Eid al-Fitr, also known as the ‘Festival of Breaking the Fast’ is an annual religious celebration marking the end of Ramadan. It is a festival celebrated by Muslims around the world and is one of the most important global events each year.
In the UK, the holiday is celebrated most notably at Eid in the Square in Trafalgar Square. It is a free event open to people of all faiths that is one of the most significant cultural highlights of London’s events calendar. The festival draws great crowds and allows the people of London to learn about Muslim culture and celebrate with their friends and family.
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Carnaval del Pueblo
Carnaval del Pueblo is the biggest celebration of Latin American culture in the UK. In the first week of August every year, people from around the UK come together in Burgess Park to dance and listen to music and eat great food.
Attendees to the Carnaval can enjoy an exciting street procession that includes Latin America costumes, dancers, musicians and floats.
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Holi Festival
Another significant cultural event in the UK, is the annual Holi Festival. It is another Hindu Festival that has been observed and celebrated across the country for many years. The festival marks the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring.
You can take part in Holi celebrations across any of the major cities in the UK. The festivities are notable for the great release of colour and beauty and the vibrant mess created when people throw Gulal powder at each other.
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Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance
If you haven't already had your fill of dance from Notting Hill Carnival, Naija in the Park or Holi, then you can get involved in the Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance (BIFF).
Rather than focussing on one specific culture, the BIFF hopes to encompass cultures from all around the world. It is about the interaction of communities and the celebration of traditional and contemporary dance.
Celebrating Culture
At Small World we take pride in being able to help people around the world. Whether you are looking forward to celebrating at the Notting Hill Carnival or you need to send money to your family celebrating the Diwali Festival, Small World is here for you.
If you are attending any of these culture's immigrant events in the UK, you may have family or friend connections in places like India, Jamaica, Germany, Nigeria or Brazil. Small World is a money transfer service that allows you to send money quickly and safely to friends, family and loved ones around the world.
Your first money transfer with us is always fee-free.
