Folks who claim the remote community of Rodanthe as home are some of the very few who still celebrate Old Christmas, also known as Twelfth Night in the United States. This long-held tradition can be traced to England’s adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1752, which shortened the year by eleven days. Back then, news had a long way to travel to get to the small village of Rodanthe, which marked Jesus’ birthday as January 6 (Twelfth Night). To this day, people who participate in Old Christmas in Rodanthe talk about celebrating “two Christmases.” (Blake and Amspacher, Living at the Water’s Edge, 128)

And it is indeed a strange and mysterious holiday celebration. The public is welcome to attend the festivities, but it’s not not advertised, nor is it geared toward visitors.

Back in the old days, Old Christmas began before dawn. Villagers marched along the sand tracks playing fifes and a beloved 100-year-old drum. People in costume joined the procession. They’d eventually end up at a table loaded with chicken, oysters, pies and other Christmas fixings. At the Chicamacomico LIfe Saving Station, a test of marksmanship would commence, including a surfman with a .22 rifle shooting an apple off the head of a man. (Blake and Amspacher, Living at the Water’s Edge, 128)

 These days, the holiday includes an oyster shoot, oyster roast, plenty of adult beverages and general rowdiness- an all-around Outer Banks’ good time.

And still, there’s the bull.

According to legend, a black and white bull was the only survivor of a shipwreck off Rodanthe’s shores. The bull “soon became acquainted with the cows and had a field day, siring many calves.” The villagers loved him and would ride on his back each Old Christmas. One day, Old Buck, as he was called, rambled south down the banks into thick woods, where he was shot and killed by a hunter. From then on the mythological Old Buck would emerge from the woods to show up at Old Christmas, “scaring the children into being good.”

To honor Old Buck, two villagers dress up as the bull on Old Christmas. Everyone pets him for good luck.

 Finally, there’s the airing of grievances. Possibly the strangest of traditions that you will not read about in quaint periodicals documenting this unique holiday as “entirely charming.”

“We don’t go to Old Christmas, too much fighting.” a native villager recently told me.

Fighting?

“People settle scores at Old Christmas,” a fishmonger explained to a reporter. “You might have a gripe with someone, fight it out at Old Christmas, then start the new year with a black eye and a clean slate.”

So, if you didn’t get enough Christmas and you fancy a kind of block party featuring oysters, bovine mascots and a bit of fisticuffs, Rodanthe on January 6th just might be your happy place.