St. Stephen's Day · Wren Day
Wren Boy Costume Competition
Music, straw, story, and craic at the Fifth Province Pub — Saturday, December 26, 2026, 3–6 PM.
Step Into the Tradition
Let's Hunt the Craic, Not the Wren
We are bringing the spirit of Wren Day to the Fifth Province for an afternoon of music, story, and community. Expect a hefty, fun crowd — come early, grab a pint, and step into one of Ireland's most colorful winter traditions.
All costumes are welcome, but only Wrenboy-inspired outfits are eligible for prizes. Bring your greenery, straw, and spark. Sláinte!
Live Tunes & Singalongs
Yes, we will belt "The Wren, The Wren" — bring an instrument if you would like to join a tune or two.
Mini "Parade" & Group Photo
A parade through the pub, followed by a group photo of everyone in straw, holly, and ribbon.
Costume Contest
Wrenboy-inspired outfits qualify for prizes: straw headpieces, greenery, ribbons, patchwork coats, veils, and folk touches.
Stories & Quick History
Between sets: why the wren is the "king of birds," how communities marked St. Stephen’s Day, and how the custom lives on.
Past Winners
Last Year's Costume Contest
A look at the costumes that took home prizes at our last competition — staff, masks, feathers, straw, and all. This is the standard to beat.
Quick Info
St. Stephen's Day
Check in by 4:00 PM for a contest number
Irish American Heritage Center
4626 N. Knox Avenue, Chicago, IL 60630
Contest Details
Categories
- · Most Traditional
- · Most Creative
- · Best Group / Family
- · Best Overall
Check in by 4:00 PM for a number. Winners announced by 5:30 PM. All costumes welcome, but only Wrenboy-inspired outfits qualify for prizes.
The Tradition
Wren Day, Lá an Dreoilín
St. Stephen's Day, December 26th, is one of Ireland's most colorful winter traditions. In Ireland and the Isle of Man, the day is also known as Wren Day — Lá an Dreoilín — when communities once marked the feast with straw masks, music, and door-to-door mischief.
The wren is the "king of all birds" in Irish folklore: the story goes that the wren outwitted the eagle by riding on its back and flying just a little higher, earning the title through cunning rather than size. Hunting the wren on St. Stephen's Day was said to bring luck for the year ahead.
The origin of the custom is uncertain — theories point to pre-Christian midwinter rituals, to the Norse, and to the story of St. Stephen himself. What is certain is that it survived: generation after generation kept it going, and today wren boys and girls still take to the streets in straw and ribbon each December 26th.
The Hunt
On December 26th, groups of costumed "wren boys" would hunt a wren, display it on a decorated pole or in a box, and parade it from door to door through the neighborhood.
The Costume
Straw or raffia masks and capes, holly and ivy, ribbons, veils, and motley patchwork coats — a disguise that turned the wearer into something other than themselves for the day.
The Singing
At each stop the wren boys sang festive songs — most famously "The Wren, The Wren, The King of All Birds" — while collecting coins for a town dance or a local charity.
Today
The tradition has been revived across Ireland and the Isle of Man, though no wren is hunted now. A stuffed or imitation wren is carried instead, and collections support charities and community celebrations.
Inspiration
Costumes from the Tradition
Reference photos to spark ideas — feel free to research and riff on the tradition. Straw headpieces, greenery, ribbons, patchwork, veils, and folk touches all count.
Historical reference images shared for inspiration. This is a symbolic celebration — no animals involved.
December 26, 2026
Bring Your Greenery, Straw & Spark
See you on St. Stephen's Day in the Fifth Province. “Those that went before us kept it going from generation to generation.”
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