Bracebridge Dinner
Yosemite National Park is home to the famous and elegant Bracebridge Dinner, an annual Christmas tradition in California. Many people book a year ahead to guarantee a spot in a mock-manor house where wassail, medieval music, fine food, squires and knights combine to make this a dinner that cannot be forgotten.
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Bracebridge Dinner
Organization:
Dates: 12/13/2011 - 12/14/2011 update info
Time: 6:00:00 PM - 9:00:00 PM
Event Cost: $375.00, tax included
Venue: Bracebridge Dinner in Yosemite National Park,CA
Contact: Kenny Karst
Phone: (209) 372-1445
Email:
Website: www.yosemitepark.com
Event Details:
Christmas dinner with musical entertainment and dancing.
The 2011 Bracebridge Dinners will be held on December 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, and 25 at 6:00 pm.
Guests purchasing a 2-night package will receive reserved seating at the concert at no additional charge.
Reservations
For reservations, further information, and any possible restrictions, call 801-559-5000 or visit YosemitePark.com.
- Excellent menu, medieval costumes and music, and toast to all and sundry with a glass of wassail
- A Yosemite Tradition
- Typically takes place mid December to late December
Overview: Despite its separation from England, the United States has maintained many traditions that herald in the Christmas season in a truly medieval fashion. The traditional elegance of the Bracebridge Dinner (Yosemite National Park) is one that has come to epitomize true sophistication in the heart of California. Many people take pleasure in its excellent menu, medieval costumes and music, and toast to all and sundry with a glass of wassail.
When: A mid December tradition
Where: Ahwahnee Hotel
Fees: A fixed cost is set per year
Details: Great horns hail visitors as the make their entrance into the hall, welcoming them with delicious food and warming music. Visitors enter a manor like building that boasts 50 foot ceilings (beamed) and massive windows which present an incredible view of snow covered mountain peaks.
The evening begins with a mystical atmosphere of olde English pageantry, a more than three hour feast that is hailed in with a speech by the designated dinner squire. The hall fills with medieval costumed singers, courtiers and jugglers, who retell a tale of the lord and his house of many servants and family members, whilst guests are waited on 'hand and foot' by diligent staff.
The park's dinner was first introduced about 80 years ago. It is held in a large dining room at the Ahwahnee Hotel. Even then, as it is today, tables were adorned with candlelight and the warm spirit of Christmas was a copy of that of the novel 'Squire Bracebridge', written by Washington Irving. Food was piled high on silver platters and fine wines and wassail filled glasses and metal cups.
Interestingly enough, the hotel was built based on the descriptions given in Irving's book. In fact, after its completion (1927), it was dubbed 'Bracebridge Hall' by its owners, pageant directors. However, its menu has not altered much since then, including such delights as vegetable strudel, salads, coulis, soup, truffles, lobster, peacock pie, chutney, pilaf, roast beef, head of boar, varied vegetables, plum pudding, mulled wine, brandy and mignardises.