In 2026, Lammas (also known as Lughnasadh) will be observed on Saturday, August 1. This festival marks the beginning of the harvest season and is the first of three harvest celebrations in the "Wheel of the Year.” It serves as a seasonal turning point, midway between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox. 

Historical & Mythological Origins

The festival has two primary historical roots that have blended over time: 

• Pagan/Gaelic (Lughnasadh): Originating from ancient Celtic traditions, it honors Lugh, a deity of skill and craftsmanship.

• Anglo-Saxon/Christian (Lammas): The name "Lammas" comes from the Old English hlāfmæsse, meaning "Loaf-Mass.” In medieval England, farmers would bake bread from the season's first harvested grain and bring it to church to be blessed. 

Traditional Practices

Historically, Lammas and Lughnasadh involved rituals to protect the harvest and celebrate community: 

• Baking the First Loaf: The central tradition is baking bread from the first wheat or rye. In Anglo-Saxon times, the blessed loaf was often broken into four pieces and placed in the corners of a barn to protect the stored grain.

• Festivals and Fairs: It was a time for communal gatherings, feasting, and trading. In Ireland, the first Sunday in August (Bilberry Sunday) often involved hiking to pick wild berries.

• Symbolic Crafts: Making corn dollies from the last sheaves of grain was common, representing the spirit of the harvest to be kept until the following spring.