The Bracebridge Dinner At Yosemite

Can you imagine celebrating a Christmas feast in a hall with soaring 50 foot ceilings framed by enormous windows looking out across the snow capped mountains of Yosemite? Well, don't stop there, add to the picture hundreds formally dressed fellow diners and the heraldic music of a live symphony, the voices of a cast of a hundred performers in period costume, course after course of fabulous food and then your imagination might just capture the essence of this California tradition.

At least, that is how the Bracebridge Dinner was described to us at a recent dinner party. Of course, we are completely captured by the idea of being a part of the event and have added it to our "to do" list.

The dinner has been held every year since 1927 at the beautiful Ahwahnee hotel. Originally, the only way to get a ticket was to enter your name into a lottery.

Fortunately, it is now available to all on a first come first serve basis. The inspiration for the dinner was Washington Irving's Sketch Book that described Squire Bracebridge and English Christmas traditions of the 17th Century.

(attendees from past celebrations)

The meal is presented as a feast in the Squire's manor hall and the performers are all member's of the Squire's staff or guest list who host the diners throughout the 3 1/2 hour dinner. Ansel Adam's played the Lord of Misrule at the very first Bracebridge Dinner! Visit Bracebridgedinners.com for more information. Happy Holidays