Holidays

Medieval Europeans enjoyed many festivals and fairs that marked important days of the

year. Most of these celebrations were connected in some way to the Church.

Holidays

Holiday = Holy day• Almost every day of the year

was dedicated to a Christian saint, an event in the life of Jesus, or an important religious idea.

• Two of the main medieval holidays were Christmas and Easter.

Holiday Celebrations

• Music, dancing, and food were all part of medieval holidays and festivals. – People sang folk songs and danced. – They drank their favorite beverages – and they ate baked and fried foods.

• Favorite holiday entertainments included bonfires, acrobats and jugglers, and dancing bears.

Holiday Celebrations

• Plays were also popular. – During religious services on special days, priests

sometimes acted out Bible stories. – By the 13th century, plays were often held

outdoors in front of the church so more people could watch.

– In some English villages, mummers (traveling groups of actors) performed with masks, drums and bells, dances, and make-believe sword fights.