2018 calendar: Key dates and festivals this year

Prince Harry and Meghan, Theresa May and Harry KaneGETTY

2018 calendar: Here is a list of the key dates for your diary

In a year that boasts the Winter Olympics, a royal wedding and the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, here is a list of dates to put in your diary.

January 8: MPs return to House of Commons

January 16-17:  bill enters report and third reading stages

With Brexit negotiations finally starting to moved forward in Brussels, MPs will have another opportunity to debate Brexit in the House of Commons. 

The EU Withdrawal Bill then heads to the Lords for a second reading before moving on to the committee stage in February.

February 9-25: Winter Olympics

Taking place in Pyeongchang, South Korea, the 2018 Winter Olympics will treat sport fans to two weeks of breathless skiing, skating and snowboarding action.

February 16: Chinese New Year – Year of the Dog begins 

March 4: Italian general election

March 5 (UK): Oscars ceremony

Dunkirk, Get Out and Call Me By Your Name are among the films likely to be vying for the coveted Best Picture prize at this year’s Academy Awards.

March 11: Mother’s Day in the UK 

April 1: Easter Sunday

April 21: Queen Elizabeth II turns 92

The will celebrate the date of her birth on April 21, though she will preside over the Trooping of the Colour parade on June 9. 

English football fansGETTY

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May 3: Local elections

Elections will take place across England, including all 32 London boroughs, 34 metropolitan boroughs, 74 district councils and 17 unitary authorities. 

There will also be mayoral elections in Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Watford.

May 15: Ramadan begins 

May 19: FA Cup final

May 19: Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

The much anticipated wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be held in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on the same day as the FA Cup final.

June 14: World Cup 2018

England will be the only home nation in action as the biggest football event on the planet kicks off in Russia. 

June 17: Father’s Day in the UK 

Andy Murray at WimbledonGETTY

2018 calendar: Wimbledon gets underway on July 3

July 3: Wimbledon

Two-time winner  will be desperate to be back at peak fitness by the time the prestigious Wimbledon tournament gets underway at the All England Club.

October 31: Halloween

November 6: US mid-term elections

Americans will head back to the ballot boxes in November to vote in the mid-term elections. 

The vote comes halfway through Donald Trump’s presidency and it is expected that the Republicans will lose seats in Congress to the Democrats.

Armistice DayGETTY

2018 calendar: This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War

November 7: Diwali

November 11: Armistice Day – Centenary year

2018 will mark the 100th year since the end of the First World War.

On the day, Britons will join together to remember the fallen heroes who died fighting for their country. 

November 24: Black Friday