First Day of Sukkot 2025 in the United Kingdom

The First Day of Sukkot marks the start of a Jewish festival celebrating the harvest and the time Jews spent in the desert after leaving Egypt. Jewish families build sukkahs (temporary shelters) and gather in them for meals and reflection.

First Day of Sukkot: A Public Holiday?

The First Day of Sukkot is not a public holiday in the UK. Businesses, offices, and schools follow regular opening hours. However, many Jewish families take time off to observe the day by attending synagogue services and spending time in their sukkahs.

First Day of Sukkot

The First Day of Sukkot marks the beginning of the week-long Jewish festival of Sukkot, a time to celebrate the harvest and remember the journey of the Jews through the desert after leaving Egypt. The festival has its roots in ancient times when people gave thanks for the year's crops and reflected on the hardships their ancestors faced in the wilderness. The word "Sukkot" means "booths" or "huts," representing the temporary shelters used by the Israelites during their travels. It is one of the most joyful holidays in the Jewish calendar, focusing on gratitude, faith, and community.

First Day of Sukkot Celebration in the UK

In the UK, Sukkot holds special meaning for Jewish families. It is not a public holiday, so businesses, schools, and offices remain open. However, many Jewish people take time off work or school to attend synagogue services and celebrate with their families. Observing Sukkot allows the Jewish community to stay connected to their traditions, even within a modern environment.

During Sukkot, families build sukkahs (temporary shelters) either in their gardens, balconies, or communal spaces. Meals are shared inside the sukkah, and some people spend as much time there as possible, including sleeping. Special prayers are recited in the synagogue, and the lulav and etrog, four species of plants, are waved as part of a ritual representing unity and the connection to nature.

The First Day of Sukkot is important because it brings together themes of gratitude, remembrance, and community. For Jewish people in the UK, it is a way to reflect on the blessings in their lives while also connecting to their faith and history.

Who Celebrates the First Day of Sukkot in the UK?

With an estimated 270,000 Jewish people living in the United Kingdom, Judaism plays an important role in the country's religious landscape. The largest Jewish communities live in London, particularly in areas like Barnet, Hackney, and Golders Green. Other significant populations live in Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, and Birmingham. Across these regions, Jewish families celebrate the First Day of Sukkot by building sukkahs, attending synagogue services, and gathering with their communities to mark the festival.

First Day of Sukkot Observances