December 20 and 21, 2025
al-Barran Midwinter & War Practice
To all lovers of merriment and mirth, good food and fellowship, wonderment and WAR, pray attend. The Baroness of al-Barran, The Honorable Lady Adrianna de Tarente, sends greetings and invites all to join us at Midwinter Feast and War Practice.
This year, we will be celebrating Medieval Germanic traditions of Yuletide. We mean to burn a Yule log, along with wishes for the coming new year. We will trim the tree with symbols of life, light, and hope. Join us for dancing, music, and games. Be a part of the Ceremony of Lights that banishes the gloom of Winter, that we might see a brighter Spring. There may even be a visit from a mischievous Fell Beast.
Do not forget the feast, filled with German favorites like schnitzel and spaetzle.
On the following day, come and prepare for WAR. War of the Phoenix, Gulf Wars, and other wars across the Knowne World will begin in early 2026; the Outlands must prepare. Ready your weapons, repair your harness, and show up ready to fight.
Mark your calendar and watch for updates on Kingdom and Baronial social media and websites. We hope to see you there.
Event Details
Event Location (Feast and Midwinter Activities):
Ballut Abyad Shrine Center
6600 Zuni Rd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
War Practice Location:
Menaul School
301 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107
Site Policies
- Event site is WET; no outside alcohol. All alcohol must be purchased from the venue bar.
- The bar will be open from 12 noon to 9:00 pm. Valid ID is required for purchase.
- War Practice site is DRY.
- No off-board seating is available during the feast.
- Designated smoking area is the parking lot, at least 50 feet from the building.
- Service animals are welcome; please leave pets at home.
Site Fees
Adult (18 and over) Member: $20
Adult (18 and over) Non Member: $30
Adult Feast Fee: $15
Children (17 and under): Free
Children Feast (17 and under): Free
Schedule
Saturday, December 20, 2025: Ballut Abyad Shrine Center
- 8:00 am: Set up
- 9:00 am: Gate opens
- 10:00 am: Opening Court
- 11:00 am: Arts and Sciences activities open
- 12:00 pm: Burning of the Yule Log; Court Dancing Session 1; light repast
- 1:00 pm: Trimming the Tree
- 4:00 pm: Afternoon Court; Arts and Sciences activities close
- 5:30 pm: Grand Procession and Yule Lights Ceremony
- 6:00 pm: Feast, served family style; entertainment
- 7:00 pm: Court Dancing Session 2
- 8:00 pm: Clean up
Sunday, December 21, 2025: Menaul School
- 8:00 am: Site opens; Peerage Circles at Their Majesties’ pleasure
- 11:00 am to 2:00 pm: War Practice
- 12:00 pm: Court (time and details to be announced)
Arts and Sciences Offerings
2025 al-Barran Midwinter Arts and Sciences offerings
The Arts and Sciences area will be set up in the Fez Club and Club Annex portions of the facility.
The area will be open from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. The following activities will be open for drop in participation:
- Scribal Workshop: Open workshop to work on skills and receive feedback or instruction as desired.
- Games of Chance: Many ways to pass the time with friendly competition. Hosted by Noble Arelon.
- Page School: Sir Daveed is offering youth activities throughout the day.
- Fiber Arts Playground: Bring spinning wheels, portable looms, drop spindles, embroidery projects, and more
for a day of fiber arts at Midwinter. - Ornament Painting Station: Customize an ornament and add it to our Yule Tree.
At the times below, there will also be:
-
History of Printed Textiles
Presentation: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Hands on Workshop: 2:15 pm to 4:00 pm
Scrap linen and basic paint colors will be provided for the block printing workshop.
All participants are asked to bring a scrap towel. Participants are welcome to bring their own fabrics
(linen, wool, or silk) and paints. Speedball acrylic screen printing ink will be used. -
Heraldic Consultations: 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Master Aethelwulf will host a consultation table. - Roman Make Workshop and Demo: 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm with Lady Aurelia.
Feast Menu
The feast will be served family style.
Soup Course
Spargelcremesuppe, a traditional German creamed white asparagus soup, served with breads and flavored butters.
Vegetarian non dairy option: onion leek peasant soup.
Main Course
Pork schnitzel served with Jaeger sauce (mushroom gravy) on the side. Lemon juice will also be available as another
traditional way to serve schnitzel.
Vegetarian and gluten free option: potato and onion latkes with homemade applesauce.
Spaetzle, a potato pasta served with butter and salt (contains egg; some will be set aside without dairy, but it does contain gluten).
Some add the hunter sauce on top of the spaetzle.
Also served:
• Gurkensalat, cucumber dill salad (contains dairy)
• Rothkohlsalat, pickled red cabbage (vegetarian, gluten free)
• Steamed broccoli as an additional dairy free, gluten free side.
Dessert
Each table will be served apple strudel with warm custard (contains gluten and dairy).
A limited amount of gluten free apfelkuchen, apple cake, will be available for those with gluten sensitivity.
Midday Meal
Beef or elk goulash (depending on availability), or a vegetable lentil soup, with fresh bread.
An alternative option is leek onion peasant soup.