Twelfth Night

Twelfth Night: A Festive Christian Celebration

Twelfth Night is a Christian holiday that marks the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas and the eve of the Epiphany. It’s a time of festivity, merrymaking, and the symbolic conclusion of the Christmas season.

Quick facts

When is it?: January 5th or 6th, depending on tradition
Tagged as: Christian holiday, festive celebration
What’s the hashtag?: #TwelfthNight
When was it founded?: Dates back to early Christian traditions
Who founded it?: Rooted in Christian religious observances

History of Twelfth Night

Twelfth Night has its origins in early Christian celebrations of the Epiphany, which commemorates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus. Over time, it evolved into a festive occasion marked by feasting, role reversal, and theatrical performances. In medieval and Tudor England, Twelfth Night became a time of elaborate celebrations and misrule, with traditions like the selection of a “Lord of Misrule” to oversee the festivities.

Timeline

567 AD: The Council of Tours proclaims the twelve days from Christmas to Epiphany as a sacred and festive season
Middle Ages: Twelfth Night celebrations become popular in European courts
16th-17th centuries: Elaborate Twelfth Night festivities in England, including Shakespeare’s play “Twelfth Night”
19th century: Decline of traditional Twelfth Night celebrations in many areas
Modern times: Revival of interest in Twelfth Night traditions and customs

Twelfth Night Dates

Year	Month and Date	Day
2025	January 5	Sunday
2026	January 5	Monday
2027	January 5	Tuesday
2028	January 5	Wednesday
2029	January 5	Friday
2030	January 5	Saturday

Observed Twelfth Night Traditions

Twelfth Night is celebrated with various customs and traditions. In many cultures, it’s customary to remove Christmas decorations on this day, as leaving them up is considered unlucky. Traditional foods play a significant role, with the Twelfth Night cake being a centerpiece of celebrations. This cake often contains a bean and a pea, and those who find them in their slice are crowned king and queen for the night.

In some regions, wassailing is practiced on Twelfth Night. This involves visiting orchards or neighbors’ houses, singing traditional songs, and sharing spiced cider. The tradition is believed to ensure a good harvest for the coming year.

Theatrical performances are also associated with Twelfth Night. Shakespeare’s play of the same name is often performed around this time, and many communities organize special events or plays to mark the occasion.

Fun Facts About Twelfth Night

The tradition of the Twelfth Night cake evolved into the French galette des rois or “king cake.”
In some traditions, the person who finds the bean in the cake must pay for the next year’s celebrations.
The character of the Lord of Misrule, central to many Twelfth Night celebrations, has roots in ancient Roman Saturnalia festivals.
In England, it was once believed that young women could divine their future husbands by placing mistletoe under their pillows on Twelfth Night.
The popular Christmas carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is directly related to the period ending on Twelfth Night.

Quiz

On which date is Twelfth Night traditionally celebrated in the Church of England?
What Shakespeare play shares its name with this holiday?
What item is traditionally hidden in a Twelfth Night cake?
What is the name of the traditional Twelfth Night activity of singing in orchards?
In some traditions, when should Christmas decorations be taken down?

(Answers: 1. January 5th, 2. “Twelfth Night”, 3. A bean (and often a pea), 4. Wassailing, 5. On Twelfth Night)

FAQs

What is the significance of Twelfth Night?
Twelfth Night marks the end of the Christmas season and the eve of the Epiphany, celebrating the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus.

Why is it called Twelfth Night?
It’s called Twelfth Night because it falls on the twelfth night after Christmas Day, concluding the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Are Twelfth Night and Epiphany the same thing?
While closely related, Twelfth Night is the eve of Epiphany. Epiphany itself is celebrated on January 6th.

What are some traditional Twelfth Night foods?
Traditional foods include Twelfth Night cake, wassail (spiced cider), and in some cultures, special breads or pastries.

Is Twelfth Night still widely celebrated today?
While not as widely observed as in the past, many communities and churches still celebrate Twelfth Night with special events and customs.

Importance of Twelfth Night

Twelfth Night holds cultural and religious significance as the culmination of the Christmas season. It serves as a bridge between the joyous celebrations of Christmas and the more solemn observance of Epiphany. The holiday’s traditions of role reversal and misrule have historically provided a valuable outlet for social tensions, allowing for a temporary suspension of normal hierarchies.

In a religious context, Twelfth Night reminds Christians of the journey of the Magi and the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles. It emphasizes themes of revelation, enlightenment, and the universal nature of the Christian message.

From a cultural perspective, Twelfth Night has inspired literature, music, and art, most notably Shakespeare’s play. Its customs and traditions, though less observed today, continue to influence modern holiday celebrations and provide a link to historical practices.