Celebrate and sing as you watch the evil go poof

Andrew Duval
Apr 11
2 min read

By Melvin Najarian April 2, 2025

On the Twelfth Night of Christmas, the English gather around cider trees to sing, or wassail, a soothing lullaby to the health and production of the crop. It is unique to the cider orchards of southern England, where the practice encourages the fruit trees to thrive. Although it has become increasingly rare, it continues to be a cherished tradition.

Historically, wassailing has occurred on the Twelfth Night of Christmas in two

distinct forms, house-to-house and orchard wassailing.

House-to-house wassailing consists of group going house to house while carrying with themselves a bowl of wassail, a warm drink made of ale, wine, or cider mixed with honey and eggs. The wassailers traditionally offer a drink of wassail to the household and sing songs in exchange for donations of food or money.

The tradition dates back to the Renaissance, such door-to-door caroling had become an important Twelfth Day tradition in England, as the celebratory food of choice shifted from figgy pudding to spiced ale. By the 17th century, the drink of choice became “Lambswool”—a mix of ale or mulled wine, nutmeg, eggs and roasted crab apples. The warm apples caused the drink to bubble, becoming the wassail that is well known today.

In contrast, orchard wassailing involves groups visiting fruit orchards, especially apple or pear orchards. There, participants begin dancing, drinking and singing. The blessing is given to the strongest tree among the orchards to protect them from evil spirits and help them grow bountiful harvests the next year.

“Wassailing seems to be an interesting and unique tradition that brings forth a sense of camaraderie during the Holiday season. In particular, I think the part that involves going door to door, caroling and spreading that cheer is one of the best parts of it. It is an interesting counterpart to American caroling because in addition to singing and dancing, a drink is offered,” Sophomore Winston Robey said.

Festivals similar to wassailing are celebrated around the world. An ancient Persian festival, Chaharshanbe Suri, is celebrated to bring good luck and protect one against the evil spirit. It is observed on the night of the last Wednesday before Nowruz, the Persian New Year. During this festival, people leap over bonfires and shout phrases that wish bad luck away and bring happiness and prosperity for the upcoming year.

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