Ad Gefrin announces Yule Gaderung 2026
England’s most northerly whisky distiller, Ad Gefrin: Anglo Saxon Museum and Whisky Distillery is delighted to announce this year’s Yule Gaderung celebrations.
The celebrations are the launch occasion for the next Crǣft Series release. The three single-cask single malts will be only the fourth, fifth and sixth to be made publicly available by the distillery.
As the only UK cultural destination to celebrate Yule as a contemporary cultural festival, Ad Gefrin rekindles ancient Anglo-Saxon Yule tradition for feasting, festivities and bringing the community together from 27th-29th November 2026 in the Northumberland town of Wooler.
Friday 27th November
Procession of the Yule straw goat – 5:15pm
Join the candle-lit community parade through Wooler, as local residents, businesses, school children, choirs, drummers, and Saint Nicholas himself welcome Ad Gefrin’s incredible 6m high Yule straw goat* as it processes from the High Street to Ad Gefrin. The evening will be rounded off with an opportunity to visit St Nicholas in the Great Hall, live music and hot food and drinks in Bēodern, Ad Gefrin’s ‘dining hall’.
Saturday 28th November
Crǣeft Series launch – 10am
At 10am, the moment whisky lovers have been eagerly-awaiting since the launch of the first three Crǣft Series casks on 1st August, casks four, five and six launch. These single cask, single malts have a reputation and a character that far belies their youth. The first series - with a total of 1,120 bottles - sold out on site within 4 hours, and Ad Gefrin can justifiably expect similar demand for this next release. Again, each bottle will be sold ‘blind’ at point of sale, with each cask label celebrating the artistic response of three new emerging artists: Christine Daniel, Jolene Lowe and Mark Rogerson.
Ad Gefrin’s Corenkyn (lifetime) members get the chance to pre-order a single bottle prior to the launch at 10am – making competition for those available for sale even more intense. Local stockists will also have a small stock – for details will be available on the website before the launch.
Ad Gefrin’s Head Distiller, Ben Murphy will lead Crǣft Series tastings in the Tasting Room at 11am and 2pm – tickets available here.
Saturday 28th / Sunday 29th November – 10am-5pm
Gaderung Celebrations continue
On Saturday and Sunday, the weekend celebrations continue with some of the North East’s best producers, artisans and creatives showcasing authentic Northumbrian food, drink, and craft in a winter market – and accompanying programme of demonstrations - that are free of charge and open to all in the grounds of Ad Gefrin.
Music and storytelling
Ad Gefrin’s Yule Gaderung uniquely interweaves culture and music: a community celebration of Northumberland’s extraordinary ancient heritage and buzzing contemporary scene.
Throughout the weekend, local storyteller Padraig will entertain adults and children alike with enthralling Anglo Saxon Tales and Ancient Legends in Ad Gefrin’s re-visioned Great Hall of King Edwin and King Oswald. Be prepared to be taken back in time and drawn into the heroic sagas of Beowulf, Grendell and the like.
The Gaderung Ceilidh – Saturday, 6:30pm-10:30pm
Set to be another highlight of the weekend, the ticketed Gaderung Ceilidh will bring people together for an evening of live music, dancing, food and good company – a convivial shared celebration rooted in Northumberland’s rich cultural heritage. Tickets available here.
Access to Ad Gefrin’s Great Hall and Museum continues to be FREE.
The latest Crǣeft Series launch will be available from Ad Gefrin’s stockists from Monday 30th November.
For more information on The Yule Gaderung please visit here.
