Getting in the Yuletide Spirit: Inside Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford's Annual Wassail Benefit for Children in Conflict

“Wassailing” is an ancient English tradition that combines two of that country’s greatest strengths: mulled wine and the Yuletide spirit. And for the last decade, Wassail has also been a Christmastime fundraiser for Children in Conflict, led by co-hosts (and co-parents) Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford, and which last night took place at the Sony Theater in Manhattan. To date, Wassail has raised more than $15 million—$2.2 million last night alone —to support Children in Conflict’s humanitarian efforts (including education, protection, and psychosocial support) everywhere they are needed, from Ukraine to Uganda.

Emceed by John Oliver, the night featured readings by Julianne Moore and Emily Blunt, who welcomed a cameo from Bowen Yang, with musical performances by Oscar Issac, Patti Smith alongside her daughter Jesse, Brandi Carlile with a rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “River (It’s Coming on Christmas…)," Leon Bridges, and of course Mumford Sons. Luanda Musafiri Emmanuella, a 22-year-old Ugandan survivor, who, sheathed in Prada crystals, told the traumatic and powerful story that inspired her to found Tumaini, a partner organization dedicated to supporting women and girls in situations like the one in which she found herself.

Perhaps the most poignant moment of the evening came when Rob Williams, CEO of War Child Alliance, compared before-and-after images of a Kiev bombshelter. The first was a dingy concrete box, reasonable for adults but psychologically scarring for children, and the latter was the same room redecorated and transformed as a preschool, somewhere children might look forward to spending a few hours.

Despite the heavy-hitting lineup, none of the above felt remotely corporate, overly earnest, or organized within an inch of its life, as so many charity events are. “Festive black tie” being observed loosely and variously, Wassail had the air of a casual gathering of friends-of-friends—more creative potluck than red carpet. Case in point: the real star of the night was Pete Heat, a magician in magenta houndstooth who left every person for whom he performed with a mixed sense of wonder, admiration, and frustration, including Steven Spielberg, a sorcerer in his own right. (Allegedly, Pete was the most expensive talent to book, having required a flight from London purchased on air miles.)

In the past ten years, the night has evolved from an intimate dinner to a significant date on the New York City advent calendar—this is the first year that Mulligan and Mumford decided to share images anywhere—but the original spirit of Wassail, and its generosity, remains entirely intact.