Wassail Weekend ~ 2020
All Day
Woodstock's favorite time of year! Filled with twinkling lights, historic decorated homes, and so much more, the town transforms into the holiday wonderland of your dreams, complete with sleigh bells and holiday decorations at Billings Farm that harken back to historic 19th-century charm. There's something for all ages throughout this festive holiday weekend.
Wassail Weekend 2020 will look different, but there will still be plenty of holiday cheer and charm to go around!
Masks and social distancing are REQUIRED. All out of state travelers must complete a quarantine before coming to Vermont. Details on travel and the Resort's operations can be found here.
Wassail Happenings & Traditions
Wassailing is an ancient English custom beginning as early as 1066. Part of the feasts and revelry of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day is still celebrated to this day. Traditionally, the master of the English household drank to the health of those present with a bowl of spiced ale, and each in turn after him passed the bowl along and repeated the Saxon phrase “Wass Hael,” meaning “Be Whole,” or “Be Well".
This year celebrate Wassail across two weekends! Spread out and enjoy the festivities in the Woodstock Village.
December 5
Deck The Doors Contest: If you have a home or business in Woodstock Village, dress your front doorway in 19th-century holiday finery, snap a photo and post it on Facebook or Instagram, tagging @WoodstockVT or #woodstockwassail by Saturday, December 5th 2020 to be entered in this fun, festive Deck the Door contest to be judged by The Woodstock Garden Club on the 13th! When you stroll through town enjoy all the wonderfully decorated doors of all the village homes.
In The Village
All Day: Woodstock is a beautiful winter village full of shops and boutiques perfect for holiday gift buying, shops are open until 7pm.
10am-2pm: Enjoy Hot Cocoa and Coffee on the Village Green from the local shop, Abracadabra Coffee!
10am-4pm: Bring the family to Billings Farm & Museum for Wassail-themed activities, open Saturday & Sunday!
12-2pm: Wave and celebrate the holidays when Santa Clause comes to the Village with his Jazz group.
2-5pm: Warm up with a cup of Wassail and individually wrapped cookies at the First Congregational Church of Woodstock.
4pm: Reflect and enjoy the lighting of the Memory Tree at the Woodstock Rotary Club.
December 12
Annual Wassail Equestrian Parade: You don't need to get out of your PJs for this one: the Wassail Parade has gone virtual, brought to you by The Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the High Horses Therapeutic Riding Program!
Wassail in the Village
All Day: Woodstock is a beautiful winter village full of shops and boutiques perfect for holiday gift buying, shops are open until 7pm.
10am-4pm: Bring the family to Billings Farm & Museum for Wassail-themed activities, Open Saturday & Sunday!
10am-4pm: The first Wassail Scavenger Hunt! Gather the whole family, mask up, grab a map from the Town Crier or the Welcome Center, and follow the clues to fun, festive finds throughout town!
12-2pm: Wave and celebrate the holidays when Santa Clause comes to the Village with his Jazz group.
5-8pm: Join us at the Inn for our annual Wassail Celebration Dinner - reservations required!
