Our 2022 Samhuinn Fire Festival is fast approaching! And whether you are witnessing the festival in-person or virtually, there are many subtle (and not so subtle!) details that weave together to make a meaningful fire festival possible.

As our land changes and the wheel turns, we sat down with our 2022 Samhuinn Court to learn a bit more about Samhuinn folklore and the unique qualities of its Celtic characters.

Watch this year’s Summer and Winter Kings, portrayed by Hannah Smith and Orion Toivonen, share some background behind their characters and costumes in hopes to help your Samhuinn evening shine a bit brighter.

ExplorinG Court Concepts: Our 2022 Summer & Winter King

Eternal Summer is not always best, for Summer is always active and we need our Winter time to rest. Otherwise, we risk feeling burnt out…

If we’re really burning out, then let’s burn out spectacularly.

Hannah Smith, 2022 Summer King

Photos copyright Nate Kelso for Beltane Fire Society. All Rights Reserved. http://www.beltane.org / http://www.facebook.com/beltanefiresociety

The costumes: Know What To Look FoR On Samhuinn Night

Video copyright, made possible by Craig Sinclair for Beltane Fire Society. All Rights Reserved. http://www.beltane.org / http://www.facebook.com/beltanefiresociety

Our entire staged sequence is based around mutual respect and seeing each other as proper opponents of equal balance.

It’s a time where we both accept one another as the other side of the same coin. And at the end of that sequence is where the coin will be flipped with my side up.

Orion Toivonen, 2022 Winter King

Photos copyright Simone Riva for Beltane Fire Society. All Rights Reserved. http://www.beltane.org / http://www.facebook.com/beltanefiresociety

Photos copyright Nate Kelso for Beltane Fire Society. All Rights Reserved. http://www.beltane.org / http://www.facebook.com/beltanefiresociety

Where does your Loyalty lie?

Samhuinn Fire Festival is a modern re-imagining of an ancient Celtic festival, marking the darkened end of summer and upcoming rise of winter. The story follows the overthrowing of Summer by Winter, with a dramatic stand-off between the Summer and Winter Kings. This is overseen by The Cailleach, a Celtic representation of the Goddess, or Divine Hag, who ultimately decides each King’s fate and ushers in the looming, colder months.

There will be many spectacular groups on Samhuinn night who align themselves with Summer or Winter. Learn where your loyalty lies through witnessing our Celtic storytelling and fire festivities.

FOR OUR HOLYROOD PARK PERFORMANCE

Registration for our 2022 Samhuinn Fire Festival has now closed as we are at capacity. For safety concerns, if you have not registered, please do not attend.

PLEASE BE WATCHFUL OF FAKE DONATIONS / EVENTS

Please do not trust any website that says you need to give your credit card details

All digital content will be available for free via our social media platforms with clear unambiguous links available for you to make a donation, separate to you attending the festival.