Whit Friday

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Whit Friday
The 2010 Whit walks in Manchester on Cross Street showing the banner and clergy from Manchester Cathedral.
Observed by	North West England
Type	Christian, Public
Observances	Processions, Parades, Brass Band Contests
Begins	1st Friday After Whit Sunday
Date	Ordinary Time
2023 date	2 June
2024 date	24 May
2025 date	13 June
2026 date	29 May
Frequency	annual
Related to	Whit Sunday, Whit Monday, Whit Tuesday, Trinity Sunday

Whit Friday, meaning "white Friday", is the name given to the first Friday after Pentecost or Whitsun (White Sunday).

The day has a cultural significance in North West England, as the date on which the annual Whit Walks are traditionally held. By convention, the Whit Walks coincide with brass band contests, held in Saddleworth, Oldham, Tameside and other outlying areas of Greater Manchester. Traditionally, children and their supporters from Anglican Sunday Schools 'walked' on Whit Monday, those from RC Sunday Schools on Whit Friday,^[1] and there was an element of competition in general display, dresses and banners. Outside Manchester city centre, other Sunday Schools walked on Whit Sunday and in surrounding towns on other days during (or in the weeks following) Whit Week. This period marked the height of their year's activities for many local brass bands.