The chestnuts are roasting and holly has been hung. But where do these traditions originate? Explore the history and customs of mid-winter festivals on this two-hour walk. See the plants that have played pivotal roles in the traditions and decorations that we associate with the holiday season and hear stories from different cultural traditions surrounding the shortest day of the year.

We gratefully acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the unceded and unsurrendered territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation, and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation. For thousands of years, Coast Salish people have walked this land and walked with it in a good way, harvesting foods and medicines and made good ceremony here. The abundance that these lands and waters provide us to live, work and play is due to the reciprocal relationships by which Coast Salish people lived and live today.

Photo: Greg Hart/SPES