THIS weekend marks a truly significant date in the Sikh calendar – the festival of Vaisakhi.

But how is the date celebrated, what's the story behind it and does it have a set date? Here's what you need to know...

2 Vaisakhi is the celebration of Sikh New Year Credit: Alamy

When is Vaisakhi 2018 and is it always the same date?

Vaisakhi is usually celebrated April 13 or 14 every year.

It falls on the first day of the Vaisakhi month (between April and May) according to the Nanakshahi calendar.

This year, this means the festival is being marked on Saturday, April 14.

Public celebrations in the UK are generally held on weekends in April, if not necessarily on the date itself.

In London, Vaisakhi is being marked with a free event on April 28.

Handsworth Park in Birmingham is similarly running a free event for the full weekend from April 28-29.

2 Vaisakhi is a religious festival that marks the Sikh New Year and commemorates the formation of Khalsa panth of warriors Credit: Alamy

What is Vaisakhi and how is it celebrated?

Vaisakhi is a religious festival that marks the Sikh New Year and commemorates the formation of Khalsa panth of warriors under Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.

The celebration is also a spring harvest festival in the Punjab – which was celebrated long before it gained added dimension for Sikhs.

It is also part of the Hindu religious calendar – but often referred to by different names.

Some followers know it by the name Vishu, while in Bengal it's called Vaisakhadi and in Assam it's known as Bahag Bihu – but both of these variations are held later, on April 15.

Vaisakhi is a major Sikh festival and marks the birth of Sikh order – which started after the persecution and execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur for refusing to convert to Islam under the orders of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

This triggered the coronation of the tenth Guru of Sikhism and the historic formation of Khalsa.

During the festival, Gudwaras are decorated and visited and the day is marked by parades, dancing and holy songs.

Many Sikhs also choose to be baptised into the Khalsa brotherhood on this day.