The famous East Staffordshire custom is often said to date back around 800 years, with 1226 commonly cited as its unofficial starting point and the year it was first mentioned.
For generations, the sight of dancers carrying enormous reindeer antlers through Abbots Bromley has brought people into the village from across Staffordshire and much further afield.
The Horn Dance takes place each year on Wakes Monday, traditionally the Monday following the first Sunday after 4 September.
A Staffordshire tradition unlike any other
At the centre of the custom are six Horn Dancers carrying ancient reindeer antlers. They are joined by a colourful collection of characters including the Hobby Horse, Fool, Bowman and Maid Marian, alongside musicians.
The dancers travel through Abbots Bromley and the surrounding countryside during the day, keeping alive one of Staffordshire’s most distinctive traditions.
The antlers themselves are remarkable, with carbon analysis dating them to the 11th century, making them considerably older than the surviving written descriptions of the dance.
While 1226 is regarded as an unofficial date for the beginning of the tradition, the Horn Dance has continued through generations to become one of Staffordshire’s most recognisable pieces of living heritage.
Date: Monday 7 September 2026
Start: 8am St Nicholas' Church,Abbots Bromley, East Staffordshire
With the dance returning in just a few weeks, September is another chance to head to Abbots Bromley and experience one of Staffordshire’s most unusual and enduring traditions for yourself.
