Beltane is a traditional Celtic festival that marks the beginning of the warmer season, usually observed around May 1st in the Northern Hemisphere. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals, along with Imbolc, Lughnasadh, and Samhain. Beltane is often associated with the midpoint between the spring equinox and the summer solstice.

The festival has historical and cultural significance, celebrating the fertility of the land, livestock, and people. It is a time of joyous festivities, including the lighting of bonfires, traditional dances around the Maypole, and various rituals to honour the season's vitality and growth. Beltane represents a symbolic union between the god and goddess, often depicted through rituals and ceremonies that embrace the theme of fertility and the awakening of the earth.

In modern times, some Neo Pagan and Wiccan traditions continue to celebrate Beltane as a sacred and spiritual holiday, often incorporating elements of nature, rituals, and community gatherings to honour the themes of fertility, love, and the flourishing of life.

This event will follow a schedule that includes some singing around the campfire, so please bring instruments, guitars, drums, symbols, and most importantly a song if you have any! We are incredibly excited that Anna Carlyle will play a little acoustic set for us around the fire. You can hear some of Anna's music here.

It’s traditional at Beltane celebrations to perform the symbolic union of the May Queen and the King of the Forest. There are ten roles to this very short play. We’d love some of you to offer to play a part. There is audience involvement, and everyone will receive a script. As the God of the Forest and the May Queen dance around the fire, everyone else in the circle drum, clap, or chant - another reason to bring your drums! Beltane is the festival of fire and fertility, and as most country villages had a common or green, there was always room for celebration.

Beltane means 'fires of Bel' (Bel was a Celtic deity) and therefore is a celebration of fire. At 7.30pm, we will begin our procession to the burning of the wickerman. Before the event, we will send instructions on how to make a lantern if you wish, otherwise a jar with a candle inside is just as effective.

We are lucky to offer you the option to purchase food from our older, more established sibling Frensham Market Farm. Tom and Grace at Frensham Market Farm will make a delicious dinner for us, with organic ingredients. at the fair price of £10 per adult and £6 for under 12s. You will need to order and pay for this in advance.

- The Burrow is just under 3 miles from Farnham Train Station. Upon booking, we will add you to the whatsapp group and you'll receive the location pin.

Due to our public liability insurance

- The Burrow is a strictly no alcohol space.

- There is a ⁠strict limit on numbers, please ensure you only come with a pre booked ticket.

Schedule

Start 4pm

Casual chat and arrival 4pm - 5pm

Singing around the campfire and food - 5pm - 6.30pm

Beltane Ceremony - 6.30pm - 7.30pm

Procession to the Wickerman 7.30pm - 8pm

Burning of Wickerman - 8pm

Finish - 9pm

£7 per adult

£5 per child