Willingham Wassial and Pagan Festivals

On Sunday 11th January 2026 at 11.30, Willingham will once again be celebrating Wassail in Willinghams Community Orchard on Earith Road.
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Wassailing the apple trees is an ancient English tradition of visiting orchards to sing, make noise, and perform rituals to bless the trees and ensure a bountiful apple harvest in the coming year. The word "wassail" comes from the Old English phrase "Wæs þu hæl," meaning "be in good health".

Core elements of the Willingham ceremony include the crowning of a "Wassail King and Queen", revellers bang pots and pans, shout, to ward off evil spirits and wake the trees from their winter slumber and of course drinking Wassail, a warm, spiced alcoholic drink (mulled cider or ale with apples, sugar, and spices, sometimes called "lamb's wool") is shared among the participants from a large communal bowl.

Willingham would have been a pagan settlement when it was founded and would have celebrated other festivals throughout the year.
Find out what they were at the WHIG meeting on Monday the 26th January at 7.30pm in the Social Club £4 on the door to cover the cost of the room.

Also check out other Festivals in Cambridge, Workshops in Cambridge, Meetups in Cambridge.