Come to the Annual Wren Party December 26
Extend your Christmas holiday. Come celebrate the feast of St. Stephen in a uniquely Irish way the following day, December 26.
You can join the revelry with the Philadelphia/Delaware Valley branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (pronounced COAL-tus KYOL-TOR-ee AIR-in). CCÉ is a worldwide organization that promotes and preserves Irish traditional music, dance, language, and culture.
The Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Comhaltas branch hosts a céilí—a rollicking Irish dance party—the night after Christmas. And if you can’t make the party in person, you can still join the fun by taking part in an online contest.
St. Stephen is believed to be the first Christian martyr, and—as legend would have it—he was tracked down and stoned to death by his enemies, betrayed in his hiding place by the noisy chattering of a wren.
Tradition has it that on December 26, the “wren boys” go from house to house within their towns and villages in Ireland, dressed in colorful clothes, begging for coins, treats and liquid libations. In days of old, they carried the body of a wren on a decorated pole, calling to mind the small bird’s role in betraying the whereabouts of St. Stephen.
The tradition lives on in Ireland—albeit with a fake wren, thank goodness—and in its own distinctive form here, too, in Philadelphia and the Greater Delaware Valley.
First, the party. The fun begins at 7 p.m. on Dec. 26 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 235 Limekiln Pike in Glenside. All are invited. Expect a night of dancing and music a-plenty. There’s also a contest for the best wren hats. Coffee, tea, and bar will be available. Please bring a Christmas snack to share—along with your lavishly decorated wren hat.
CCÉ Members – $10
Non-Members – $15
Children under 12 – Free
If you are unable to attend our party in person, you are invited to compete with your own wren hat. Make a hat and share pictures with us.
There’s a category for adults, another for kids, and another for the submission that comes from the farthest away. The grand prize in each category is a $50 Amazon gift card. We post the winners on Facebook.
To enter, e-mail a picture of yourself wearing your hat to ccephila@gmail.com by 12 noon ET on Dec. 26. Judging takes place that afternoon, with winners announced later that day. Be sure to tell us your name and where you’re entering from (town or city, state, or country).
The judges reserve the right to revise the categories based on the entries received.
