2026 Wassailing Events in Devon, Somerset and Dorset
Please always double check details before travelling to events.
They have been around for hundreds of years, but I knew very little about the tradition of the wassail until I started researching them for this blog. If you’ve not heard the term before, it’s basically all about apple trees and cider making.
The word Wassail comes from the Anglo-Saxon toast Waes bu hael, meaning “be thou hale” (be in good health). Therefore it’s thought that wassailing probably predates the Norman Conquest in 1066.
There are quite a number of wassailing events in the West Country, which is at the heart of cider making. These range from traditional parades of noise, pot banging and Morris dancing (perfect for the kids to join in with) to more adult style parties at cider makers.
What is a Wassail ?
A wassail is a traditional ceremony to encourage new growth and a bountiful harvest to the apple trees. It usually takes place on the 12th Night – this is now the 5th January, but Old Twelvey Night is 17th January, as that would have been the correct date before the introduction of the Gregorian Calendar in 1752.
The wassail starts at dusk with the preparation of a special drink made in a wassail bowl. This seems to vary from place to place with anything from beer, warm cider or a sort of egg nog all being used.
The drink is carried to the orchard with everyone involved in the wassail. There are rhymes to be chanted to the trees – these also vary from place to place. Here are some:
In many villages, before the ceremony begins, a king and queen will be chosen to lead the group to the orchard. The group will gather around an old tree, and remove the bad spirits through shouting and the clattering of objects. The king and queen will then appease the good spirits by hanging cider-soaked toast to the tree, as well as cider poured around the tree.
Health to thee, good apple tree,
Well to bear pocket fulls, hat fulls,
Peck fulls, bushel bag fulls.
Blowe, blowe, bear well,
Spring well in April,
Every sprig and every spray
Bear a bushel of apples against
Next new year’s day
Hats full!
Caps full!
Bushel – bushel – sacks full
And my pockets full too! Huzza!
What is Wassailing?
The wassailers are encouraged make a lot of noise, banging drums, clashing sticks even firing off shot guns to wake up the trees. Branches of the trees are hit as well to encourage the sap to start flowing and to frighten away evil spirits that might be hiding amongst them. Some of the prepared drink is poured at the base of the tree and toast, cake or bread put into the branches to feed the good spirits.
These days some wassails carry on all the traditional practices. Others seem to be just a good excuse for cider drinking and a party! There is lots more information online if you want to learn more about the traditions of the wassail.
Wassail Events in Devon 2026
Whimple Wassail – near Exeter – 17th Jan 2026 (Free)
Organised by Whimple History Society. Whimple has a long tradition of cider making and the ceremony was restarted in 1993. All the traditional elements of the wassail are carried out as well as a lantern parade though the orchards, the procession starts at The Heritage Centre from 6.30pm (check time).
Consider taking the train for this event due to limited parking in the village.
Stoke Gabriel Community Orchard Wassail – Nr Totnes 24th Jan 2026
A traditional cider apple blessing celebration in Stoke Gabriel’s community orchard. Folk music, Morris dancing, storytelling and entertainment before the Apple Blessing Ceremony within the orchard. Hot homemade food, toffee apples, cakes and drink available and a well stocked Yarde Cider bar serving hot mulled scrumpy.
Gates open at 4pm. This is one of the larger wassailing events in the West Country. Organised by Friends of Stoke Gabriel Primary School. More details nearer the time online here.
Mincinglake Valley Park, Exeter
tbc for 2026
A great community event, help celebrate the apple trees in Friends of Mincinglake Park.
Singing a new wassail song with the Dilly Boys, sharing hot drinks around the fire (suggested donation £1) and decorating apple trees for the birds with fruit, nuts, fat balls and toast. Wear wellies and bring something to bang or make music with. Donations or cakes to share and food for the birds would be appreciated.
Calthorpe Road, Exeter. Facebook details here.
Sandford Village, nr Crediton – Saturday 10th January 2026
A popular village event starts from around 5pm. At 6pm in Sandford Square where the King or Queen of the wassail it crowned. Then supported by Exeter Morris they lead the way in true Wassail style to the apple tree orchard. At 8.30pm there will be traditional wassail folk songs at The Lamb Inn.
Stoke Village Community Wassail – nr Plymouth
10th January 2026
Head along to the Stoke Inn from 3pm -6pm to join in with the local wassail. PL3 4DL
Expect singing and noise as the apple trees in the park, lanterns and music. A free event for all the community.
Rull Orchard
Sat 17th Jan 2026
A fire lit tour to bless the trees, sing some wassail songs, and drink some mulled cider or juice
Arrive 4.00-4.15 with the wassail starting at dusk. Finish about 6/6.30pm.
£10 per person. Tickets in advance. Rull Orchard, Bickleigh, Devon, EX5 5LN
Wassail Events in Somerset 2026
Somerset Rural Life Museum (Glastonbury) – Saturday 17th January 2026
Held in the museum’s 14th century Abbey Barn and around the oldest apple tree in the orchard. The purpose of the ceremony is to promote a good apple crop for the following year.
Master of Ceremonies for the evening will crown the Wassail King or Queen and bless the cider trees. Local band Rapscallion will provide musical entertainment. 7.30 – 10pm. More details and to book tickets HERE.
The Shoemakers Museum – Street
Sunday 18th January 2026 2pm to 4.30pm (free)
A traditional Wassail with ceremony Master, stories from Somerset celebrating the apple, performance by the Langport Mummers as well as music and dancing. Refreshments will be available. In aid of the Alfred Gillett Trust. Held in the museum gardens at Clarks Village
Glastonbury Tor, Avalon Orchard –
There are pretty public orchards around the base of the National Trust owned Glastonbury Tor. No event publicised for 2026 but see other Glastonbury wassails.
Wassailing at the Jubilee Wood, Hinton St. George
– 17 January 2026
Gather inside the entrance to Jubilee Wood at 6.15pm for mulled cider and apple juice. The Lord of Misrule and Lyme Morris will lead a lantern procession at 6.30pm along a candle trail to the center of the wood for singing and a wassail ceremony.
Hinton St George is near Crewkerne in Somerset TA17 8SE. More details here.
Stogumber Wassail – Saturday 17th January 2026
From 6pm the annual Stogumber Wassail starts at the Beacon Field. It is followed by a Ceilidh in the Village Hall from 7pm hosted by the Stoggymen.
Wassail at Tyntesfield National Trust
Sunday 18 Jan 2026 – 1.30pm 3pm
Enjoy an orchard blessing at this National Trust event in North Somerset. Fancy dress is encouraged for this annual celebration, tie ribbons in your hair and take items to bang like drums, pots and pans. Morris dancers will encourage singing and dancing.
This is a free event, no booking is required. Normal admission applies. More details here.
Chard Museum and Heritage Centre
Sunday 18th January 2026
Head along for the annual wassail at Chard Community Orchard (accessed via the Chard Museum) from 5.30pm, free event
The ceremony will be lead by Chard Town Crier, with musisians and Blackdown Morris. Enjoy mulled cider and apple cake provided by Rawlins Familiy Cider.
Dunster – Buttercross Community Orchard – 17th January 2026 (tbc please check local press for details)
Schoolchildren arrive in the morning, douse toast with apple juice and hang it from the trees to attract good spirits. They bring tins and drums, sing the traditional Dunster Wassailing Song making enough noise to drive off any evil spirits.
In the evening from 7.30pm the adults arrive to attract the good spirits and continue the assault on the evil spirits. Local musicians and story tellers entertain the crowd. Cider and cake is served. After the revelry three or four villagers load their guns and fire off rounds to drive away any remaining evil spirits. There is a torchlight procession through medieval village of Dunster stopping off at Luttrell Arms. The evening finishes at Foresters Arms for more songs and stories.
Carhampton (near Dunster) – 17th January 2026
Join this traditional event at Carhampton Community Orchard from 6.30pm. Toasting the apple trees and shooting away the evil spirits. With music, snacks, hot cider – and West Somerset Morris Men appearing as if by magic from the darkness!
More at the Butcher’s Arms afterwards. Event details here.
The Sheppy’s Cider Wassail, Bradford-on-Tone – Friday 23rd January 2026
The traditional way to ensure a good harvest! The ingredients are noise, fire, guns, hot cider and lots of people to sing the Wassail chant and drive away evil spirits.
Dress for a mid-Winter orchard and be prepared to dance, sing and make lots of noise!
* Winter warming food * Cider bar * Morris * Folk music and dancing. Doors open at 5.30pm. Ceremony at 6.45pm
Book your ticket £16.50 per person, carpark £5, online or at the shop or by mailing events@sheppyscider.com. More details here – Three Bridges, Bradford-on-Tone, TA4 1ER, Taunton.
Rich’s Cider – nr Highbridge. Saturday 17th Jan 2026
A family run business producing Traditional Farmhouse Cider Farm pressed apple juice, with locally harvested Somerset apples for over 60 years. Based in Highbridge, Somerset
Join the traditional Wassail ceremony followed by live music at this annual Charity Wassail, singing, dancing and drinking plenty of award-winning cider.
Delicious hot food on sale all evening from the Cider Press Restaurant, and two fully stocked bars. The Skimmity Hitchers will be performing, playing their classic Scrumpy and Western music with a 21st Century twist.
Raising funds for Love Musgrove charity. Book in advance – tickets are limited won’t be available on the night. You can get yours by following the link in the drop down menu. Website link here
Midsomer Norton – Somer Valley Wassail
Midsomer Norton Town Park, 31st January 2026
Head along for a traditional Somerset celebration! Help wake the apple trees and encourage a bountiful harvest for the coming year. Enjoy hog roast, cider, apple cake, crafts, dancing, theatre, music, market stalls, and more. 10am – 3pm
Other activities in the daytime tbc check for more details
This community event is free, open to everyone and suitable for all ages.
Hornblotton Village near Castle Cary
tbc at Orchard Park
The Wassail in Hornblotton is a night when there’s magic in the air. Neil and Emma Macdonald welcome you for wassailing at their barn and outside at Orchard Park Farm BA4 6SF, Check here for Details
Wady’s Cider
Saturday 17th January from 7pm
The Wild Moon Morris will be wassailing at Wadys Cider. Join in to awaken the trees. Free entry no ticket required and hot food available.
Wady’s is a small passionate cider farm based in Middlezoy, Somerset with a taproom.
Frome – Weylands Wassail
Sunday 8th February
The Weylands Wassail this year Sunday 8th February from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, in the orchard by the river behind Weylands.
Enjoy live music, family craft activities and a fun community wassail. Entrance to the wassail is free, with refreshments on sale and the opportunity to make a donation to the community groups providing the activities.
North Wootton Wassail – at the Mid Somerset Showground
Wednesday 14th January 2026
A traditional wassail ceremony. Event organised by Mid Somerset Show and held at the showground. Tickets available from the Show Office or online. Tickets £15 include hot food
Wassail & Countryside Crafts Day at Yeovil Country Park
Thursday 19th February
Head along to Summerhouse Hill Community Orchard, Yeo Leisure Park, BA20 1NP (near Hollywood Bowl) with activities from 1.30pm-4.50pm. Wassail ceremony from 5pm.
Celebrate, Saxon style. With drop-in wassail activities at Yeovil Country Park. Marshmallow Toasting. Children’s Trail. Traditional music and dances and countryside crafts. Clay Crafts. Face painting. Leaf Crown Making. No need to book. Food and drink available
The wassail ceremony takes place from 4.30pm onwards. Bring pots or pans to make a noise. More info here.
Wassail Events in Dorset
Charmouth Village Community Wassail
Sunday 11th January
Hosted by 1st Charmouth Scout Group, join in with the wassail celebrating the new planting of the Community Orchard. The parade will line up at 4.15pm with Lyme Morris leading the way to the Orchard at 4.30pm.
Refreshments in the Scout Hut afterwards. Barrs Lane – Charmouth.
Bridport Community Orchard –
11th January 2026
The annual ancient Wassail celebration takes place at Bridport Community Orchard. St Mary’s Church Field off South Street.
The fun starts at 2pm with the traditional Wassailing ceremony.
Cider and apple juice will be available, and there will be an open fire to keep the cold at bay. Take trumpets, whistles, drums, and anything that will make a noise to frighten away the bad spirits! The event is free and open to everybody.
Dorset Nectar Cider – Nr Bridport – 17th January 2025
Saturday 17th of January annual Wassail! All welcome, Morris Dancing, Mummers Play, Mulled Cider, Apple juice, hot food and more to be enjoyed from mid afternoon into the evening, bring a noise making device. The Tasting Room will be open early afternoon. Parking in the Orchard lanes. From 3pm
Strong Orchard, Pineapple Lane, Waytown DT65FT Bridport
Wassailing Events 2025
Why not create your own Wassail event at home instead.
If you can’t get out to one of these events, it sounds like a fun thing to arrange at home. Any apple tree local to you will do! Invite some children to make a noise, have a winter BBQ and drink some cider – sounds like it could be a way to brighten up January!
Happy wassailing everyone. If you enjoy this sort of event then take a look at my guide to all the best Devon Festivals here.
Hi! I am Clare and I live in glorious East Devon with my family.
Join me in finding new places to explore in the West Country as well as further afield.
I hope you enjoy reading and taking inspiration from this website. 
I had no idea what this was, but love it! Thanks for posting, I especially love the cider.
Fascinating! Thank you I love hearing about new things and potential kids activities. Never heard of it before but sounds interesting and great fun. Bx
Wow. I’ve never heard of this. Sounds great. Learn something every day.
I’ve never heard of this either but it sounds like a lot of fun x
One of my favourite things, cider. I have never heard of Champagne cider though, sounds delicious.Wassail sounds so much fun, I had no idea this existed. Now we live near an a cider farm we must visit.
I love the idea of these events – bringing about growth – what a lovely idea. I love cider too so might have to visit a local cider farm!
Not something I’ve ever heard of, but sounds like a great tradition to witness #Countrykids
Definitely one of those people who’d never heard the word wassail before, but now I’d love to attend one of those events! What a way to brighten up January and reconnect with our heritage!
#CountryKids
How interesting to read about the traditions behind wassailing events and thank you for sharing a list of the ones in your area. They sound like a lot of fun to attend. Thank you for sharing with #CountryKids