Home Site Map January February March April May June July August September October November December 13 December St Lucy's Day Traditionally a day for divining the identity of future husbands. 22 December Winter Solstice The shortest day 24 December Christmas Eve 25 December Christmas Day The festival was the Roman winter solstice and the Germanic festival of Yule. The date was chosen as the most favourable for the celebration of Christ's birth, and many of the ancient Yule customs were amalgamated into the Christian festival. It was also the date of the birth of Mithras. 28 December Holy Innocents' Day Said to be the unluckiest day of the year. 31 December Allandale Tar Barrel Burning, Northumberland A version of burning out the old year, locals walk down the street with blazing tar barrels on their heads. Some of these are then thrown to light a bonfire.