The Old Twelvy Night Wassail - Manchester City Centre

"Wassail? What's a Wassail?" we hear you cry.

Well, if you've ever sung carols at Christmas then technically you've "Wassailed". See in days gone by folk would sing seasonal songs going door-to-door or if you found yourself in cider country, come twelfth night, you might wassail the farmers orchard.

Now it just so happens that there is a small orchard planted on the N.O.M.A owned land outside the Coop HQ in Manchester City Centre. We thought we'd revive this lost tradition, that extends the festivities of Christmas. According to the Gregorian calendar twelfth night falls on the 17th of January, hence - The Old Twelvy Night Wassail - yes, it really is a thing!

With help from City of Trees we've pulled together an apple-themed-dream-team from across Greater Manchester for a family-friendly event. It all kicks off at 4:30pm with apple pressing on our vintage trike aptly named 'Pedal Pedal Squish Squish', apple themed crafts and games with City of Trees. They will also be donating a new fruit tree to extend the orchard on the site, you'll have to come along on the day to see why we'll be hanging toast in it as part of our Wassail celebration. Dunham Press Cider and Juice will be on site selling their wares to warm your cockles or perhaps take a few bottles of these award winning drinks home with you.

The Marble Arch Pub (73 Rochdale Rd, Manchester M4 4HY) are getting in on the action, so for those that fancy an afterwork drink our Wassail Band will be on site there, along with the Mill Town Cloggies ready for a Wassail Parade leaving promptly at 5:45pm from the pub.

Everyone will then congregate at 6pm for a Wassail Ceremony where we'll crown an unsuspecting orchard queen who will recite a blessing, hang toast in the trees and pour some cider at it's base. Strange customs indeed and the full tale will be told by your event host Dan Hasler from The Orchard Project.

We'll end promptly at 6:30pm and any revellers that want to continue in the festivities and merriment can head back to The Marble Arch for food, fun and apple-themed frivolity.

TICKETS ARE FREE OR ON A PAY-AS-YOU-FEEL/DONATION BASIS.

All funds raised from ticket sales and on the night will go to support our ongoing work at The Orchard Project. As the only national charity dedicated to the planting, restoring and the all important celebrating of community orchards we hope you'll give generously.