Happy New Year! Plus traditional winter celebrations

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Welcome 2023 in traditional fashion, with fireworks and Auld Lang Syne – or go back even further by commemorating the winter solstice and Twelfth Night.

1. WASSAIL! The wassail ceremony has its roots in the pagan custom of visiting orchards in the hope of ensuring a bumper crop the following season. Features include frightening away bad spirits by banging pots and pans in an infernal racket; hanging toast from trees to attract good spirits (usually in the form of robins); sprinkling tree roots with cider, and sharing a communal wassail bowl filled with warm spiced cider. In the Tamar Valley, Cotehele’s annual Wassail takes place at 11.30am on Saturday, December 17. Fancy dress encouraged! Free; no booking required, normal admission prices apply.

2. THE WINTER SOLSTICE, PENZANCE On December 21, Montol in Penzance revives Cornwall's traditional customs, including Guise dancing and burning the Yule log. Family-friendly activities take place throughout the day and early evening around Market Jew Street, Green Market and Causewayhead - a procession leaves the top of Chapel Street at 6pm, and proceedings take a darker turn (aka “misrule”) later in the evening.

3. NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS, TRURO On Saturday, December 31, there are two firework displays to be viewed from Truro’s Lemon Quay: one at the family-friendly hour of 7.30pm, and the main event at midnight. Both are organised by Truro City Council with kind permission from Truro School. www.visittruro.org.uk Masquerade returns for a second outing. Step into a whimsical world of masks, ballgowns and tuxedos and enjoy a whirlwind of entertainers, aerial acrobatics, live bands, lasers and a silent disco in the incomparable surroundings of Truro Cathedral. Over 18s only. www.quickpandaproductions.co.uk/nye/

5. TWELFTH NIGHT, FALMOUTH Degol Stul, the Twelfth Night of Christmas, is celebrated with Cornish music and dance by Nos Lowen, a monthly night of Celtic wildness. Ceilidh band Skillywidden and vocal harmony trio Arbrevyn will play at The Cornish Bank on January 8. Be prepared to dive in and have a go at dancing, and if you play an instrument, take it along. l