Twelfth Night in England

Twelfth Night is a festival in some branches of Christianity marking the coming of the Epiphany and concluding the Twelve Days of Christmas.In the UK, people used to party on Twelfth Night and it was traditional to play jokes on your friends and neighbours. These tricks included hiding live birds in an empty pie case, so they flew away surprised when your guests cut the crusts (like in the nursery rhyme "Sing A Song of Sixpence" will, "... the pie was open and the birds began to sing”.

XII Night Celebrations Today

People in the UK today still celebrate Epiphany.
Many places throughout the United Kingdom carry the tradition known as Twelfth Night "Wassailing." On Twelfth Night a lot of people gather to drink apple and health for each other.

Celebration of Twelfth Night in London

Each year Twelfth Night is celebrated in the Bankside area of London. To announce the celebration, the Holly Man appears from the River Thames. After that, the traditional St. George game is played. At the end of the play Twelfth Night cakes are distributed. Those who find the hidden beans or peas are crowned King and Queen for the day.

Traditional Foods

Traditional Twelfth Night foods served in England include anything spicy or hot, like ginger snaps and spiced ale.

A traditional Twelfth Night drink is a hot and spicy punch called wassail.