Celebrate Thanksgiving in the Heart of Britain and London

A Taste of Thanksgiving Tradition in London and Beyond

Welcome to Thanksgiving in Britain and London: A Timeless Celebration

As Thanksgiving approaches, an air of warmth and togetherness sweeps across Britain, with London taking center stage in commemorating this quintessentially American holiday. While it's not a traditional British holiday, Thanksgiving has found its place among the diverse and multicultural communities of London and beyond.

A Unique Blend of Tradition and Culture

Celebrating Thanksgiving in Britain and London is a unique experience. Here, you'll find a delightful blend of American tradition and British culture. As London's historic landmarks stand witness, families and friends come together to express gratitude, share a festive meal, and create lasting memories.

Thanksgiving Feasts in London

In the bustling city of London, you can savor a delectable Thanksgiving feast at various restaurants, hotels, and pubs that offer special menus for the occasion. From the classic roast turkey with all the trimmings to innovative fusion dishes, you'll discover a wide array of culinary delights to satisfy your Thanksgiving cravings.

Local Markets and Festivals

Thanksgiving is a time for embracing the local community, and London's markets and festivals come alive during this season. Explore traditional food markets, craft fairs, and street festivals that add a touch of festivity to the city's streets. You'll have the opportunity to sample artisanal products, handmade crafts, and cultural performances.

Thanksgiving Parades and Events

London often hosts parades and events that capture the spirit of Thanksgiving. You can witness spectacular displays, live entertainment, and vibrant processions that make you feel right at home, even if you're thousands of miles away.

Historical Sites and Gratitude

One of the most remarkable aspects of celebrating Thanksgiving in London is the backdrop of history that envelops you. Explore iconic landmarks such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abbey, and consider the centuries of history and gratitude that have played out on these hallowed grounds.

Giving Back to the Community

Thanksgiving is not just about feasting and celebration; it's also a time for giving back to the community. Many volunteer opportunities and charity events take place throughout London during this season. Participating in these activities is a wonderful way to express your gratitude and make a positive impact.

Creating Lasting Memories

Whether you're an American living in London or a visitor from afar, celebrating Thanksgiving in Britain and London offers a unique chance to create lasting memories. It's an opportunity to embrace the rich traditions of both nations while cherishing the universal values of gratitude, togetherness, and goodwill.

This Thanksgiving, as you find yourself in the heart of Britain and London, you'll discover that gratitude knows no borders. It transcends nations and cultures, bringing people together to celebrate the beauty of unity and the spirit of thankfulness. Join us in this timeless celebration, where the old and the new come together to create an unforgettable Thanksgiving experience.

The timing of Harvest festival varies according to weather conditions and location. But festivals are held all over Britain at the end of the summer to celebrate the bringing-in of the crops, usually during September.

In Britain, the time for the harvest festival starts when the wheat has been cut and the apples have been picked. Decoration of churches takes place and the churches are decorated with flowers during the harvest time. Fruits, Vegetables, and a loaf of bread in the middle are also used to decorate the churches. Peoples have a belief that bringing a plough into the church for blessing will result into a plentiful harvesting during the next year.

In Britain, the harvest festival is attached to the gathering of the last sheaf of corn. The reapers raise a great ‘Harvest Shout’ as it was cut. The last sheaf was treated with special respect and used to make ‘Corn Dollies’. This was done as people believed that the corn spirit lived in the wheat .The Corn Dolly was then placed on the top of the final load of corn and carried back into the village in triumph. By creating the dolly, the spirit is kept alive for the next year and for the new crop. Sometimes, the dollies are hung up in the farmhouse or in the church or in the barn. The dolly would be ploughed back into the soil during the spring season.

Another story about a Corn Dolly is in the folksong 'John Barleycorn':

“There were three men come from the West
their fortunes for to try,
and these three made a solemn vow:
"John Barleycorn must die."
They ploughed, they sowed, they harrowed him in,
Threw clods upon his head,
'Till these three men were satisfied
John Barleycorn was dead.”

However in the spring John Barleycorn rises up through the soil. By and by he grows big and strong, even growing a beard. Consequently the three men cut him down at the knee, tie him to a cart, beat him, strip the flesh off his bones and grind him between two stones. Nevertheless, in the end it is John Barleycorn who defeats his opponents. He proves the stronger man by turning into beer.

In Britain, there is an old tradition to bake a loaf in the shape of a wheat sheaf, which is done using the last of the harvested grain.

The loaf is then taken to the richly decorated church. This is done as a symbol of thanksgiving for the harvest. Throughout the world, harvest time has always been the occasion for extraordinary customs. People who work in London markets take part in a special parade during the autumn. They celebrate the harvest time wearing special costumes and are known to be the pearly kings and queens.