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According to historians the word “Wassail” is descendant from a Danish word introduced into England in Saxon times. A corruption of the saying was hail meaning “be in good health” as a goodbye or see you later buddy, it was eventually used in connection with a toast as in drink to your health.
Later on the word was used solely for the drink used in the toast, which was usually a spiced ale or mulled wine, especially the kind drunk on Christmas Eve and Twelfth Night.
So the term Wassail over the years has become linked to the Christmas season and aptly chosen by Woodstock for its own Christmas celebration.
Take a Tour of Historic Woodstock…
Woodstock itself is the essence of a Vermont village. The town has finely preserved its heritage with a large portion of the village included in a historic district.Many of these majestic homes are open for self-guided tours during the Wassail festivities. The houses are decorated for the season and provide a glimpse into Vermont Christmas pasts.
Tickets for the House Tours are $25 - $30 on Saturday they are open 10:00am – 4:00pm.
But there’s plenty more to attract locals and visitors and here’s some highlights of what to expect at the Woodstock Wassail Weekend…
Everybody Loves a Parade…
The highlight of the weekend will be the parade at 2:00pm on Saturday December 13th. The Wassail Parade brings horses and riders in 19th century attire to town to enjoy a parade through town culminating in the lighting of the Yule Log on the Green. Shops around the village green stay open late through the weekend so you can finish your Christmas gift buying – or for some of us… start!
And you’ll be able to take a ride on the horse drawn-wagon, or stroll through the streets of historic Woodstock admiring the lights and Yuletide decorations of the village.
Christmas Down on the Farm…
The Billings Farm Museum lays on a special Christmas at the Farm event every weekend in December, and then throughout the vacation week. The farm will feature historic Christmas ornaments - to make and take home.
You can visit the authentically decorated farmhouse; on Saturday afternoon, enjoy traditional music performed in the parlor; livestock programs in at the farm, plus the afternoon milking of the herd.
Billings Farm is located on Route 12N & River Road, Woodstock.
Holiday Shows at Woodstock Town Hall and Other Locations...
On the evenings of December 12th & 13th, 2008 you can enjoy entertainment that will warm the heart and be sure to get you in the holiday spirit. The shows will take place at the Woodstock Town Hall on the green, and at the Woodstock Inn and the Little Theater, and you can purchase tickets on the nights.
The village of Woodstock is in Southern Central Vermont on Route 4, about 10 miles from Exit 1 on Route 89, and about 3 hours from the Boston area.
More New England Christmas Season Resources Here…
And if you'd like to enjoy your New England Christmas even more, and grab a bunch more travel resource information at the same time, then here's an offer you can't afford to miss…
Go to Top of Woodstock Wassail Page.
Go to My New England Vacations Home Page.
