Boxing Day, also known as St. Stephen’s Day, is celebrated
in the UK and Ireland on December 26. It is a public holiday, so people tend to
have off work and school. It is typically a day of rest and cleaning up from
Christmas.
St. Stephen is considered to be the first Christian martyr.
Some unofficial traditions include the gathering of family and friends, horse
racing, going to the pantomime, fundraising events, and tractor runs.
Pantomimes are plays that are put on during the winter
holidays throughout the UK and Ireland. They often retell fairytales and audiences
are encouraged to participate.
Hunt the Wren is also celebrated in the Isle of Mann and Ireland
on December 26. Men and boys act out hunting a wren. They dress up as mummers in
straw outfits. There is a dance where a caller instructs dancers, much like square
dancing in the United States
Related Articles:
-Celtic Christmas Traditions: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2024/12/celtic-christmas-celebrations.html
-Winter Solstice and Yule: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2024/12/winter-solstice-and-yule.html
-Samhain: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2024/11/samhain.html