Blizzard warnings in Northwest Minnesota, winter weather advisories across the state

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

In England, the tradition of wassailing brings neighbors into each other’s homes to sing, drink and revel in each other's company. 

This Christmas, the MPR News arts team is inviting you to join us for “Heart and Hearth,” an on-air wassailing party. Join host Jacob Aloi and some special guests for an hour of music, storytelling and festive recipes. 

Listen live on Christmas Eve at 8 p.m. and Christmas Day at 10 a.m.

Towards the end of the show, you’ll have the opportunity to sing along to “The Gloucestershire Wassail.” 

Our toast it is white and our ale it is brown;

Our bowl it is made of the white maple tree;

With a wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.

Special Thanks to the Guthrie Theater, Philip Brunelle, VocalEssence, Jake Endres, Benjamin Percy, Dale Mulfinger, W.A. Frost and Company, Kyra Miles, The Aly Aleigha Band and many others.

A roundup of the state’s remaining public hearths

“Heart and Hearth” is hosted and produced by Jacob Aloi, with support from Jeff Jones and story editing by Max Sparber. Alex Simpson served as the technical director. The fireplace story was reported by senior arts reporter and critic Alex V. Cipolle, and the segment featuring the Aly Aleigha Band

was reported by digital producer Anika Besst.

Arts and Culture

Music

Lifestyle

Food and Drink

Homepage

On Air

Jacob Aloi

Author

MPR News invites listeners to a festive on-air wassailing celebration, “Heart and Hearth,” featuring music, storytelling and communal singing inspired by the English holiday tradition.

Heart and Hearth: An on-air Christmas party

Go Deeper.

Like this?