First Sunday of Advent in United Kingdom
Quick Facts
The first Sunday in Advent is the start of the liturgical or church year for many Christians as well as the Christmas season for people in the United Kingdom (UK).Name
First Sunday of AdventAlternative name
Advent SundayFirst Sunday of Advent 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009First Sunday of Advent 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010See list of observations below
The first Sunday in Advent is the Sunday closest to St Andrew’s Day. This date marks the start of the liturgical or church year. It marks the start of the Christmas season for many people in the United Kingdom.
Advent candles are used in many places worldwide, including the United Kingdom, during the Advent season. ©iStockphoto.com/Jasmin Awad
What do people do?
Some Christians attend special church services on the first Sunday in Advent. Some churches also hold a Christingle service for children and families. During a Christingle service, each child is presented with or carries a Christingle. Parishioners collect money for the Children's Society to help support children facing violence, neglect or poverty in their daily lives.
Many people put up Christmas decorations in their homes, schools and offices on or just after the first Sunday in Advent. Some people write or post Christmas cards to family members and friends. Others bake a Christmas cake or cook a Christmas pudding on this date.
The Christmas lights in town centers and shopping centers and lights on large Christmas trees in public places are also turned on in ceremonies in this week. The Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square in London is an annual present from the Norwegians to express their gratitude for the UK’s support for their country during World War II.
Public life
The first Sunday of Advent is not a bank holiday in the United Kingdom. Churches and shopping centers may be busier than usual as people prepare for the Christmas season.
Background
Advent and particularly the four Sundays before Christmas Day have been a period of preparation for Christmas for many centuries. More information on the background to these celebrations and observances are given in our general article on the first Sunday in Advent.
Symbols
Advent wreaths are groups of four candles with leaves and twigs from evergreen trees and plants. People light one candle on the first Sunday of Advent, two on the second Sunday, three on the third Sunday and all four on the fourth Sunday. Some people then continue to light all four candles during the Christmas period.
About First Sunday of Advent in other countries
Read more about First Sunday of Advent.First Sunday of Advent Observances
| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday type | Where it is observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | Nov 30 | 1980 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Nov 29 | 1981 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Nov 28 | 1982 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Nov 27 | 1983 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Dec 2 | 1984 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Dec 1 | 1985 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Nov 30 | 1986 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Nov 29 | 1987 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Nov 27 | 1988 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Dec 3 | 1989 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Dec 2 | 1990 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Dec 1 | 1991 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Nov 29 | 1992 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Nov 28 | 1993 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Nov 27 | 1994 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Dec 3 | 1995 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Dec 1 | 1996 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Nov 30 | 1997 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Nov 29 | 1998 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Nov 28 | 1999 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Dec 3 | 2000 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Dec 2 | 2001 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Dec 1 | 2002 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Nov 30 | 2003 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Nov 28 | 2004 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Nov 27 | 2005 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Dec 3 | 2006 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Dec 2 | 2007 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Nov 30 | 2008 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Nov 29 | 2009 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Nov 28 | 2010 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Nov 27 | 2011 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Dec 2 | 2012 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Dec 1 | 2013 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Nov 30 | 2014 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance | |
| Sun | Nov 29 | 2015 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance |
Related holiday
- St Andrew's Day–Monday, November 30, 2009
Other holidays in November 2009 in United Kingdom
- All Saints' Day (Sunday, November 1, 2009)
- All Souls' Day (Monday, November 2, 2009)
- Guy Fawkes Day (Thursday, November 5, 2009)
- Eid-al-Adha (Saturday, November 28, 2009)
- St Andrew's Day (Monday, November 30, 2009)
Other calendars
- Perpetual yearly calendar - make yearly calendar for any year
- Perpetual monthly calendar - shows only one month at a time
- Custom calendar - make customized calendars
