Black Friday (partying) facts for kids

Black Friday, also known as Mad Friday or Frantic Friday, is a special nickname for the Friday that comes just before Christmas Eve (December 24th) in Great Britain.

It's often the most popular night for end-of-year celebrations and parties for many companies and groups. Because of this, it becomes one of the busiest nights of the year for emergency services like ambulances and the police, who are there to help everyone stay safe.

Other Names for Black Friday

The name "Black Friday" first came from the people working in the NHS (National Health Service) and the Police. It then became a common term that many people use.

Since 2013, news reporters started using the name Mad Friday more often. This was to avoid confusing it with the American Black Friday in November. The American version is a big shopping day that became very popular in the UK too.

Sometimes, this day is also called Builders' Friday. This is because it's often the last workday for many people who work in construction before their Christmas break.

In some towns, especially in Devon in the United Kingdom, it's known as Factory Friday. This is because many factory workers finish their work at lunchtime on this day. They then spend the rest of the day meeting up with friends in pubs and other places.

In the North of England, the name "Mad Friday" has been used for a long time, even since the early 1990s.

Keeping Everyone Safe

To make sure everyone has a safe and fun time, police and emergency services start getting ready for Black Friday early in December.

Ambulance services across the country set up special mobile units in city centers. These units help to reduce the pressure on hospitals. Some of these advanced mobile units can help many people at once. They have beds and other equipment to provide care on the spot. These special units can be quite expensive, costing a lot of money to set up and run.

In cities like Manchester, extra safety measures are put in place in busy areas. These measures help to make sure that everyone feels secure and that public spaces are safe for all.

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday happens every year on the Friday before December 24th (Christmas Eve). Here are some recent dates: