The 8th Wassail at Gibbet Oak Farm from Nightingale Cider is happening Saturday, the 17th January!

The first recorded wassail took place in Kent in the 1400s. A wassail is a celebration of the past harvest and a blessing for the future crop. It involves honouring the trees and scaring away evil spirits to ensure a fruitful year ahead. This family-friendly event offers the chance to learn traditional wassail songs and join in the festivities.

Nightingale Cider is thrilled to once again have the fantastic Ashford Folk musicians leading the torch-lit procession and providing evening entertainment, in addition to The Jolly Boys – a newly formed group featuring members of the former Woodchurch Morris Men alongside dancers from other local Morris sides, performing their traditional dances.

A paid bar will be available, offering a fantastic selection of mulled cider, still and sparkling cider, beer, and non-alcoholic hot and cold drinks. The bar will be open both before and after the ceremony. A range of gourmet, locally sourced food will also be on offer, with both meat and vegan options provided by Wild Tayberry. Food and drink will be served throughout the evening.

The torch-lit procession will begin promptly at 18:00, with torches being lit just beforehand. The ceremony will take place in the orchard, where everyone is encouraged to join in with the wassail songs and help scare away the spirits. You will then return to the farm building for the second part of the evening. From 19:00, you will enjoy folk music, Morris dancing, and general merriment as the celebrations continue.

Nightingale will be offering a return coach service from outside the Vine Pub in Tenterden (76 High Street, Tenterden, TN30 6AU).

The event always sells out, so be quick to get your tickets.

More information and tickets: https://www.nightingalecider.com/pages/wassailing-the-orchard-saturday-17th-january-2026

Photo credit: Steve Town