A winter festival is enshrined in almost all cultures that have a winter. It is no surprise that these festivals generally take place in December. Santa/Father Christmas is one of the oldest figures in the celebrations. So much could be written about winter festivals and the development of Christmas that it would warrant a book so here we have to content ourselves with the songs that give us an aural hint at the traditions we have carried with us from the dawn of time and that have spread around the world.

We start with November’s Stir Up Sunday and finish with the strains of Auld Lang Syne as the old year passes away. Volume 2 will see us through to February’s Mardi Gras when the winter festival is at an end and the light is back. We hope you will enjoy our selection which features seasonal songs and melodies from around the world from such artists as Jean Ritchie, Fresh Creek Dance Band, Leocadio Vizcarrondo and his Assembly, Bob Atcher & The Dinning Sisters,Fiddlin’ John Carson And His Virginia Reelers, Jimmy Shand and his Band and many more.