Christmas Day on 25 December celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is the most widely observed Christian festival in Britain. Although a religious festival, it is celebrated by people of all faiths and none, with family meals, gift-giving, decorated trees and visits to relatives. Christmas Eve (24 December) and Boxing Day (26 December) are also bank holidays.
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Easter is a moveable festival that falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after 21 March. Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus and is a public holiday; Easter Monday is also a bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Easter eggs and the giving of chocolate eggs are now widely associated with the holiday.
You may be asked what Easter celebrates (the resurrection of Jesus), what Boxing Day is (the day after Christmas), or what Good Friday commemorates.
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