Celtic myth had it that the robin that was suppose to represent the New Year killed the wren which represented the Old Year during this time. Wren Boys blacken their faces and go from house to house asking for money to bury the wren. The money they collect is used to buy food and drink for the "wren dance" held on this night.

In Ireland, St. Stephen's Day is the day for "Hunting the Wren" or "Going on the Wren." Originally, groups of small boys would hunt for a wren, and then chase the bird until they either have caught it or it has died from exhaustion. The dead bird was tied to the top of a pole or holly bush, which was decorated with ribbons or colored paper.

Early in the morning of St. Stephen's Day, the wren was carried from house to house by the boys, who wore straw masks or blackened their faces with burnt cork, and dressed in old clothes. At each house, the boys sing the Wren Boys' song. Such as:

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The wren, the wren, the king of all birds,

St. Stephen's day was caught in the furze,

Although he was little his honour was great

Jump up, me lads, and give us a treat.

As I was gone to Killenaule

I met a wren upon a wall,

Up with me wattle and knocked him down

And brought him into Carrick town.

Droolin, droolin, where's your nest? '

Tis in the bush that I love best

In the tree, the holly tree

Where all the boys do follow me.

Up with the kettle and down with the pan

And give us a penny to bury the wren.

I followed the wren three miles or more

Three miles or more, three miles or more,

Followed the wren three miles or more

At six o'clock in the morning.

I have a little box under me arm

Under me arm, under me arm,

I have a little box under me arm,

A penny a tuppence will do it no harm.

Missus Clancy's a very good woman

A very good woman, a very good woman

Missus Clancy's a very good woman

She gave us a penny to bury the wren.

Listen to the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fov5HTEJDdk

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Sometimes those who gave money were given a feather from the wren for good luck. The money collected by the Wren Boys was used to hold a dance for the whole village.

There are different legends about the origin of this custom. One is that St. Stephen, hiding from his enemies in a bush, was betrayed by a chattering wren. The wren, like St. Stephen, should be hunted down and stoned to death. Another legend holds that during the Viking raids of the 700's, Irish soldiers were betrayed by a wren as they were sneaking up on a Viking camp in the dead of night. A wren began to eat breadcrumbs left on the head of a drum, and the rat-a-tat-tat of its beak woke the drummer, who sounded the alarm and woke the camp, leading to the defeat of the Irish soldiers and the continuing persecution of the wren.

The tradition of going house-to-house on St. Stephen’s Day survives in many countries, especially in Scandinavia, where the day is observed by visiting friends and going to parties.

According to ancient Welsh custom, "holming" (or beating with holly branches) of late risers and female servants took place on this day.

In Austria, Germany and Poland, numerous ancient customs are still continued to this day, such as ceremonial horseback rides and blessing of horses, or the "stoning" drinking ritual celebrated by young men after attending church service.

The best-known St. Stephen's tradition in Finland is "the ride of Stephen's Day" which refers to a sleigh ride with horses. Another old tradition is that of parades with singers and people dressed in Christmas outfits. In some areas these parades were related to searching for one's bride., and Stephen's Day used to be a popular day for weddings as well. These days a related tradition is holding dances on Stephen's Day in restaurants and dance halls.