Before there was carolling, there was wassailing, where seasonal songs were exchanged for money, food and ale. In the countryside trees were blessed, while in the towns wassailers went from house to house with their songs and calls for Christmas treats. Coming from the Anglo Saxon waes hael, ‘wassail’ is a toast wishing good health with a ‘be well’.

Eliza Carthy and Jon Boden combine their considerable talents and reputations within the UK folk scene, for the first time ever touring as a duo for a nationwide wassail.

Presenting seasonal, traditional material on a stage decorated for the occasion, they will perform some of the oldest songs in the English canon, tell Christmas tales and light up the darkest days of the year, ahead of Christmas Day itself.