Festivals
The year with us
Hindu festivals, Mauritian national days, and the civic holidays of the island. HMS (UK) hosts some of these in Epsom; others we simply mark on the calendar so the year feels complete. Every gathering is at St. Clement's Church Hall — except New Year's Eve in Kingston.
Looking for a dated ticketed night? See what's on. Coming from Sutton, Kingston or Croydon? How to get to Epsom.
January
Chinese Spring Festival
ObservedJanuary / February (lunar)
A public holiday in Mauritius, marking the lunar new year in the island’s Chinese community. HMS (UK) notes the day on our calendar; we do not currently host a gathering.
Cavadee / Thaipoosam
Observedusually January / February
A Tamil Hindu festival of devotion to Muruga, marked in Mauritius with kavadi processions. Observed on this calendar; not currently an HMS (UK) gathering.
February
Abolition of Slavery
Observed1 February
Mauritius’s national day of remembrance for the abolition of slavery in 1835. A civic day, not a Hindu festival — and not currently an HMS (UK) gathering.
Maha Shivaratree
HMS gatheringusually February / March (lunar)
Mauritius’s great night of Shiva. On the island, pilgrims walk to Ganga Talao; in Epsom we gather for community prayers.
March
Mauritian Independence Day
HMS gathering12 March
Independence from Britain in 1968 — and, on the same date in 1992, Mauritius became a republic. We mark 12 March together in Epsom.
Holi / Phagwa
ObservedMarch (lunar)
The festival of colours, known as Phagwa in many Mauritian families. Noted on our calendar; we do not currently host a colour gathering.
Ugadi
ObservedMarch / April (lunar)
Telugu New Year, a public holiday in Mauritius. Observed here as a date on the calendar, not currently as an HMS (UK) event.
May
Labour Day
Observed1 May
A public holiday in Mauritius as in the UK. We list it for the civic year; HMS (UK) does not host a Labour Day event.
August
Assumption
Observed15 August
A public holiday in Mauritius (the Assumption of Mary). Included so the civic calendar is honest; not an HMS (UK) gathering.
Ganesh Chaturthi
ObservedAugust / September (lunar)
The festival of Ganesh, widely marked in Mauritius. On our calendar as observed; not currently hosted by HMS (UK).
Janmashtami
ObservedAugust / September (lunar)
The birth of Krishna. Noted for families who keep the fast and the night at home; we do not currently host a gathering.
November
Diwali
HMS gatheringOctober / November (lunar)
The festival of lights — a public holiday in Mauritius, and our autumn gathering in Epsom.
All Saints’ Day
Observed1 November
A public holiday in Mauritius. Listed for the civic year; HMS (UK) does not host an All Saints’ gathering.
December
Christmas
Observed25 December
A public holiday in Mauritius as in the UK. We note it on the calendar; our December gathering is New Year’s Eve, not Christmas Day.
New Year’s Eve
HMS gathering31 December
Our biggest night of the year — Sega, friends and family. The one gathering not in Epsom: Crowne Plaza, Kingston.