Winter holiday celebrations in Glastonbury, United Kingdom, also known as “the heart chakra of the world,” are a joyous mixed bag. It’s two months of pilgrimages and parties.
After the Wild Hunt, heralding Hallowe’en and Samhain (SOW-en), the beginning of winter in the old Celtic traditions, comes Carnival. Floats the size of semi-trucks are pulled by John Deere tractors disguised as part of the float. Each display is like a rolling Broadway show with music, dancers, costumes and sets that light up the town — all lovingly crafted by regional clubs that spend most of the year on these works of art. Sixty clubs participated in this year’s parade, touring the countryside during late November. Glastonbury was the last stop.
After Carnival comes the Frost Fayre in early December, full of folks from all over the summer country, plying their wares. The medieval fair features homemade mead, clothes, jewelry, Viking attire (real fur pelts) and accessories like swords, woolens and more. You can also learn how to wield a sword and throw large hatchets … at targets. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of the Glastonbury Horde.