Tenbury Wells is one of those rare English towns where tradition and community flourish. On the first Saturday of December, the streets fill with mistletoe, Morris dancers, Druids, market stalls, and the unmistakable feeling that winter has officially begun. This year, in particular, the Tenbury Mistletoe Festival & Santa Parade carried a deeper resonance. Magnum photographer Martin Parr, who had documented this festival on multiple occasions, passed away earlier that day.
As a documentary photographer, Parr’s playful, affectionate eye shaped the way we see British life—its quirks, rituals, and eccentricities. So, as I walked through Tenbury with my camera, it felt only right to treat the day as a quiet tribute. These photographs are my homage to Parr’s vision, shaped by my interest in “who we are,” “what we do,” and “where we live.”
A Town Wrapped in Mistletoe
Tenbury’s relationship with mistletoe goes back more than a century. Once one of several winter markets across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, Tenbury Wells is now the only town still holding mistletoe auctions. It is a tradition that the locals take pride in
During the festival, the entire town centre is decorated with over 100 bunches of pre-lit mistletoe, glowing softly even in the daylight. By dusk, those lights mingled with the Christmas decorations, casting a warm, almost theatrical atmosphere. It was perfect for photography, and for a festival where folklore and community merge.
Rituals Old and New at the Tenbury Mistletoe Festival
My day began inside the Pump Rooms for the crowning of the Mistletoe Queen at noon. Parents jostled for a better view, and the Queen, in full regalia, received her crown from the Prince like someone stepping into a storybook role.
Later, on The Burgage, the Druid ceremony combined ancient ritual with a modern sense of wonder. The blessing of the mistletoe—a tradition that predates Christianity—felt strangely intimate. It offered a moment for everyone to come together and catch their breath before the busy winter season.
From a psychological perspective, festivals like this aren’t just entertainment—they’re communal anchors. They bring people together, create shared stories, and help us feel connected in a disconnected world. Thus, Tenbury, in that sense, knows exactly who it is.
Markets and Makers at the Tenbury Mistletoe Festival
Walking through the Christmas market revealed another side to the festival. Alongside stalls selling crafts, produce, and gifts, the indoor pre-loved event encouraged visitors to support small businesses and reinvest back into the community.
Events like this are a joy to capture. For instance, villagers playing the bagpipes, the Mayor greeting locals, shoppers browsing stalls, and everyone soaking up the town’s festive atmosphere.
Santa Parade Crosses the Teme
The climax of the day—at least for the children—was the Santa Parade. At 4.30 pm, Santa and his entourage crossed the Teme Bridge. Meanwhile, crowds lined the route; phone screens glowed; toddlers waved with pure delight as Santa handed out oranges.
Santa arrived at the grotto at St Mary’s Church at 5 pm, greeted by cheers and the warm spill of fairy lights. It’s the kind of scene Martin Parr might have documented with an eagle eye for humour and humanity. For example, the slightly lopsided elf hats, wide-eyed children, and tiny chaotic dramas—scenes full of humour, colour, and character—the kind of photos Parr loved to capture.
Ultimately, I photographed the Tenbury Mistletoe Festival & Santa Parade with him in mind.
Celebrating the Tenbury Mistletoe Festival
Parr understood something essential about British life—that our rituals, however small or peculiar, reveal who we are. Tenbury’s Mistletoe Festival captures that perfectly: a community gathering not just to celebrate the winter season, but to celebrate itself.
For me, the day offered the rare opportunity to combine my documentary photography instincts, my background in psychology, and my interest in local culture. These images are my tribute—not only to Tenbury Well’s living traditions, but to Parr’s legacy of noticing the ordinary and the humorous.
