Join the Wren Boys, Sunset, SF

Wrenboys • Annual December 26th Celebration

Wren Day, also known as Wren’s Day, Day of the Wren, or Hunt the Wren Day (Irish: Lá an Dreoilín), is celebrated on 26 December, St. Stephen’s Day. The tradition consists of “hunting” a fake wren and putting it on top of a decorated pole. Then the crowds of mummers, or strawboys, celebrate the wren (also pronounced wran) by dressing up in masks, straw suits, and colourful motley clothing. They form music bands and parade through towns and villages.

The wren celebration may have descended from Celtic mythology. Ultimately, the origin may be a Samhain or midwinter sacrifice or celebration, as Celtic mythology considered the wren a symbol of the past year (the European wren is known for its habit of singing even in mid-winter, and its name in the Netherlands, “winter king,” reflects this); Celtic names of the wren (draouennig, drean, dreathan, dryw etc.) also suggest an association with druidic rituals.

Activities on December 26th with mummers and wrenboys survive.  Pub or house, people gather and follow some in traditional dress. Experience the magic of Mummers and Wrenboys with members of Comhaltas, on December 26th in San Francisco’s Sunset more

‘The wran, the wran, the king of all birds,
On St. Stephen’s Day was caught in the furze.
His body is little but his family is great
So rise up landlady and give us a trate.
And if your trate be of the best
Your soul in heaven can find its rest.
And if your trate be of the small
It won’t plaze the boys at all.
A glass of whiskey and a bottle of beer
Merry Christmas and a glad New Year.
So up with the kettle and down with the pan
And give us a penny to bury the wran.

Meeting time is 6pm on 17th Avenue between Ortega and Pacheco Streets in San Francisco.