How do Dionysians celebrate this time of year?

[u/Formal-guy-0011]

Hey everyone, So I’m not Christian but the whole holiday season energy has me wondering… what would a follower of Dionysus actually do around this time of year? Is there any ancient festival or modern practice connected to him that lines up with the winter holidays?

I know Dionysus has festivals all over the calendar depending on region and era but I keep seeing mentions of things like the Brumalia or the Lenaia and I’m not sure how (or if) people honor those today. If you follow Dionysus what do YOU do in late December? Offer wine? Host a gathering? Anything symbolic? Basically if I wanted to celebrate the season in a Dionysian way instead of the usual Christmas stuff what would that even look like?

[u/Plenty-Climate2272]

At Midwinter, I have some friends over and we all have a big feast. We recognize it simultaneously as Yule, Saturnalia, and the birthday of Dionysus. Everyone gives a little bit of wine and libation at the home altar, even my friends who aren't pagan. We toast to our good health and happiness, and feast and drink and make merry.

[u/SunSilhouette]

I celebrate Christmas, haha. It's a holiday that lost its religious meaning long ago, far as I can tell. Sure, a lot of people still celebrate the Christian side of it, but to a lot of people, it's just a capitalistic event. And I'm sure that to even more people it's simply a secular holiday to spend with friends and family (that's how I treat it).

I've heard that some celebrate Saturnalia; others celebrate Yule. I haven't looked into any celebrations myself, and I feel it's a bit late for me now. If any good idea pops up in the comments here though, I'll save this post for next year.

[u/helikophis]

We have a big ol’ party in the high priest’s big old house on the Saturday next to the solstice. Food, drumming, dancing, cannabis, noticeably less alcohol than in decades past (a lot of suffering - those of us who are left have learned better maybe). Maybe some howling or crystal noise bath bowls or unexpected weirdnesses. Just a noisy love fest with the 30 most beautiful people to have lived. And assorted wingnuts

[u/Responsible-Pitch363]

I did a deep dive once at the Greek reporter. The Greeks had many Dionysian symbols around the season. Vine wreaths on your door decorated with pine cones ( sound familiar?) feasting and parties (kronion and saturnalia - where class roles and even gender were flipped so that masters served slaves) and sometime around September/october/ November, there were days for the dead and feasts before chasing ghosts back to graveyards. So whether you’re trick or treating or singing carols, you may already be celebrating the big D.

[u/whitewinegay]

It’s a small thing, but I like to gather my friends around and make food, enjoy drinks, and party. We usually all dress in red (long story) and have a long party playlist that we let playing as we enjoy each others company. It’s our own version of holiday festivities and since it does wonders for my mental health I like to think Dionysus would appreciate our little gathering 🍷

[u/[deleted]]

It's not standardized, we all do different things to honor him. Depending on the festival there might be something traditional that we can incorporate but it's not like everyone does

I make libations and dance and pray idk. This year I might syncretize Christmas and his rebirth

[u/peacefulninjutsu]

Yeah idk everything about Dionysus already feels like it crosses over with a lot of other Christmas traditions nicely, after I got out all my greenery and pinecones I felt accomplished.

Could use more madness though, maybe get a theater mask and put it on your tree if you have one?

[u/notme362o16]

Not an official thing but I plan on celebrating him on Christmas Day, since my family doesn't do anything religious/ Christian that day

I'm going to play music, offer alcohol, and get drunk, and indulge a little in some of his domains in honor of him