Punkie Night in Somerset 2024, England

Punkie Night is celebrated nationwide, but mostly in Somerset County. This unique festival is celebrated in late October, on the last Thursday of the month. Children dressed in medieval clothes go with jack-o-lanterns and sing a song—"Give me a candle, give me a light. If you don't, you'll get a fright!". Such a lantern procession with music and stories attracts both young and old alike.

Punkies

The main symbol of the event, punkie, is basically a jack-o-lantern made out of mangold wurzel, a root vegetable, also known as fodder beet. In Old English, "Punkie" means "lantern". Some believe that these punkies were carried by men who were returning home late at night during the dark autumn fair season. It is believed that these strange lights were also made in order to ward off evil spirits, with farmers and villagers placing them on their fences and porches.

Celebration in Hinton St George

This vibrant festival takes place in Hinton St George, 12 miles (19 km) from Yeovil, starting at St. George's Hall. The event is usually held on the last Thursday of October. The villagers gather with their punkies and set off in a celebratory procession through town at approximately 6:20 pm. After the parade, all participants and spectators are welcome to return to St. George's Hall for mulled wine, refreshments, and live music. The best punkies are rewarded with prizes at 7:30 pm.

Punkie Night Origins

No one knows where the tradition of celebrating Punkie Night comes from. Although, we can confidently say that it is closely linked to Halloween. Some sources state that the custom originated after an incident that happened at the Chiselborough fair when some intoxicated men couldn't find their way home. Their concerned wives made punkies, hoping the lanterns would guide them in the autumn fog. The lights had an opposite effect, with husbands mistaking punkies for evil spirits.