MUSIC, dancing and cider will be in abundance at the Midsomer Norton annual wassail on Saturday (January 31).

Wassailing is a centuries-old custom full of community spirit, held in the depths of January to bless the orchards for a bountiful harvest.

Wassail gets its name from an old English term “waes hael” meaning “be well” which was shouted like a toast with the reply “drinc hael” meaning “drink and be healthy”.

The Midsomer Norton Wassail will start at the new Market Square on The Island, followed by a procession to the Town Park to make a traditional toast and 'wake up' the apple trees for a good year ahead.

The wassail celebration is free to attend and is run by Somer Valley Rediscovered, Bath & North East Somerset Council and Midsomer Norton Community Trust.

Free activities on offer include face painting, live music, crafting and music family workshops at The Island from 10 am to 12 pm.

Costumes such as ivy, green face paint, and colourful bohemian clothes is encouraged.

People are also invited to bring along pots, pans, bells and whistles to make a hullabaloo and ward off evil spirits.

The official procession will begin at 12 pm outside the Town Hall in the Market Square on The Island.

Master of Ceremonies, Trevor Hughes, the Cam Valley Morris Men, and will lead the procession to the entrance of the Town Park.

The afternoon's entertainment in the Somer Centre garden will include the wassail ceremony, folk music, and Morris dancing.

Nomads BBQ will be there with their food truck, with cider from Iford Cider and apple cake from Muffins also available.

The 2026 Wassail event is funded by West of England Combined Authority, Bath & North East Somerset Council and Midsomer Norton Community Trust.

To find out more, visit: somervalleyrediscovered.co.uk/event/midsomer-norton-wassail