How do you celebrate Christmas? Most, if not all, families will have their Christmas traditions; the food they eat, the family members they see, the church services they attend, the carols they enjoy. This is no different throughout British history. And, for generations, Christmas has been the most celebratory season in the British calendar, generally characterised by twelve days of feasting, celebration and partying.
After the long Advent season of fasting and preparation, the floodgates were opened and the Christmas spirit unleashed. The season culminated in these holy days.
The Twelve Days of Christmas is more than a festive song – it’s a rich celebration of history, faith, and tradition that stretches across centuries. Each day carries unique significance, rooted in Christian liturgy and medieval customs. Join us as we journey through these twelve days, beginning on Christmas Day and culminating on Twelfth Night.
December 24th – Christmas Eve
In the Twelve Days of Christmas, Christmas Eve only gets an honorary mention. It is the day before the season of celebration truly begins. It was a solemn occasion, marked by simplicity and reverence. Meat, cheese, and eggs were avoided in the day’s meals, reflecting a tradition of abstinence to honour the Virgin Mary’s labour. Families observed vigils in their homes, while parish churches glowed with candlelight, preparing hearts and minds for the arrival of Christ.
December 25th – Christmas Day (Day 1 of the Twelve)
Christmas Day commenced with mass, often celebrated three times, beginning before dawn. Congregants sang hymns and carried lighted tapers, symbolising the light of Christ. After mass, the Advent fast was broken, and households feasted joyfully. Preserved foods and perishable goods took centre stage, as families celebrated with an abundance of eating, drinking, and merriment.
December 26th – St. Stephen’s Day (Day 2 of the Twelve)
Known for its charitable spirit, St. Stephen’s Day commemorated the first Christian martyr. In the 16th century, church alms boxes were opened, distributing donations to the needy. This tradition evolved into what we now call Boxing Day, a time for generosity and giving.
December 27th – Feast of St. John (Day 3 of the Twelve)
The Feast of St. John celebrated the apostle’s miraculous survival after drinking poisoned wine. This day became associated with drinking, though wine was often replaced by ale or Lambswool—a spiced beer infused with apples. It was a day for convivial gatherings and toasts to health and friendship.
December 28th – Childermas or the Feast of the Holy Innocents (Day 4 of the Twelve)
This day solemnly remembered the children killed by King Herod in his search for the infant Jesus. In Tudor times, children were lightly whipped in the morning as a reminder of the Holy Innocents’ suffering. Later in the day, children assumed authority, flipping the family hierarchy in a moment of playful “misrule.”
December 29th – Feast of St. Thomas Becket (Day 5 of the Twelve)
This day honoured Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was martyred in 1170 for opposing King Henry II. Becket’s legacy as a defender of church independence made this feast a day of reflection on courage and sacrifice.
December 30th – Feast of St. Egwin of Worcester (Day 6 of the Twelve)
St. Egwin, known for his advocacy for orphans and widows, was remembered on this day. His example inspired acts of kindness and care for the vulnerable, reflecting the broader spirit of Christmas charity.
December 31st – New Year’s Eve (Day 7 of the Twelve)
New Year’s Eve was a time for lively games and sports. For Tudor workers, Christmas offered rare leisure time, and Henry VIII’s laws allowed certain games like football and dice only during this season. Parlour games such as Blind Man’s Buff and Hide-and-Seek were enjoyed by all.
January 1st – New Year’s Day (Day 8 of the Twelve)
Celebrating Mary, the mother of Jesus, New Year’s Day was a traditional time for gift-giving, especially among the upper classes. Presents included food, spices, or money, often presented ceremonially to lords or monarchs. These acts of generosity reinforced bonds of loyalty and community.
January 2nd – Feast of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen (Day 9 of the Twelve)
This day celebrated Saints Basil and Gregory, 4th-century theologians renowned for their defence of Christ’s divinity. Their profound friendship and dedication to the faith inspired medieval Christians to seek unity and courage in their own spiritual journeys.
January 3rd – Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus (Day 10 of the Twelve)
Devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus underscored this day’s spiritual significance. Christians reflected on the power and sanctity of Christ’s name, emphasising prayer and gratitude for His role in salvation.
January 4th – Feast of St. Simeon of Stylites (Day 11 of the Twelve)
St. Simeon’s extraordinary life atop a pillar exemplified radical devotion. His endurance and humility, coupled with his impactful sermons, inspired Christians to deepen their faith and commit to prayer and self-reflection.
January 5th – Twelfth Night
Twelfth Night marked the grand finale of the Christmas season. It was a night of feasting, games, and revelry, steeped in traditions of misrule and merriment. The ceremonial Twelfth Cake ritual crowned a king and queen for the evening, embodying the playful inversion of social roles. Mummers’ plays and festivities added a theatrical flair, ensuring the season ended with joy and laughter.
The Twelve Days of Christmas offer a glimpse into a world where faith and festivity intertwined, each day rich with meaning and memory. As we celebrate today, these traditions remind us of the enduring spirit of the season – a time to reflect, give, and rejoice.
Here at the Weald & Downland Living Museum, we bring the traditional rhythms of the Ritual Year to life, and the Twelve Days of Christmas mark a truly special period of celebration, reflection, and community. Through our collection of historic buildings, spanning from the Anglo-Saxon period to the Victorian era, we explore how people of the past embraced this festive season, rich with customs and traditions.
Although we are closed over the Christmas period, the festive season is demonstrated traditionally and authentically over Advent and the winter period. You can watch as our team preserves seasonal foods, lights festive fires, and showcases the artistry of rural crafts. Discover the rich symbolism of the Christmas season, from customs like wassailing and twelfth cake-making to the importance of Epiphany as a turning point in the Ritual Year.
A visit to the Museum during this Winter season offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience the warmth and beauty of Christmas celebrations past. Join us to connect with the age-old traditions that still inspire us today.
Find out how we’re celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas and see how you can be part of these historic festivities on our What’s On page!
