On November 11th each year, German children around the world come together with their handmade lanterns to celebrate Saint Martin’s Day. St. Martin was born around 316 AD, and he dedicated his life to performing missionary work and helping the poor and ostracized.
On a particularly cold and windy winter night, St. Martin was traveling on horseback through the snow when he encountered a poor, shivering beggar wearing rags. Legend has it that St. Martin gave his lantern and half of his cloak to the beggar for warmth, saving his life.
Children honor St. Martin and his life of good deeds by gathering on the night of November 11th with handmade lanterns. Together they parade through the town singing songs celebrating St. Martin, such as “Sankt Martin ritt durch Schnee und Wind” (listen here). After the parade, there is usually a bonfire with hot chocolate and other treats for the entire family to share.
There are Lantern Parades happening all over the US! Find the one nearest you:
CALIFORNIA
GISSV – Schule – GISSV San Francisco Campus (4 & 8 Funston Avenue) Saturday, November 5 at 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Please join the GISSV San Francisco for the Laternenfest/Lantern Festival & Parade on Saturday, November 5 from 3 to 7 pm! The event will include crafts, lantern making, food and drinks and a lantern parade through the Presidio.
For more information, visit gissv.org/laternenfest
Albert Einstein Academy San Diego, Saturday, November 5th at 4-7 p.m.
The 15th Annual Lantern Festival will take place at the AEA Elementary School on Saturday, November 5th, 2016 from 4-7 pm. It has become a wonderful tradition for the whole family to enjoy. Join in celebrating a 100-year-old German tradition with food and drinks, singing, and ending with a traditional lantern walk around the neighborhood. Enjoy a bratwurst dinner, bake sale, and music. The event will end with a Lantern Parade around the neighborhood.
In the spirit of Saint Martin’s gift to a coatless beggar, they will be collecting gently used coats and blankets for those in need again this year. The collection for these items will start a few days before the festival.
Location: Albert Einstein Academies Elementary School, 3035 Ash St, San Diego, CA, 92102
For more information, click here
St. Martin’s Day Celebration Saturday, November 5 at 5 p.m.
Come join First German UMC/Christuskirche for their annual celebration of St. Martin’s Day! Enjoy pizza, games, songs, a bouncy slide, lantern making and finally, a lantern walk around Fremont Park. The cost is $5.00 per child, $15.00 per family. Lantern kits cost $1.00. For detailed information please contact the church office 818-500-0786.
Location: First German United Methodist Church, 556 West Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, CA 91202
For more information, click here
German Pacific School San Diego, Sunday, November 6th at 4:30-6:30 p.m.
GPSSD is planning its Lantern Parade for Sunday, 6. November from 4pm-6:30pm in Mission Bay, with Brats, Sauerkraut and ‘Weckmänner’. Join them for a parade, a campfire and a ‘half’-potluck in Mission Bay! Please bring a small dish to share.
For more information on exact location and time, please contact the school at germanpacificschool@gmail.com, call (858)-461-9118, or visit their website here
GermanSchoolCampus in Newport Beach, Wednesday, November 11th at 6 p.m.
The German School Campus invites you to their 2016 Lantern Walk in front of Frau Ute’s Kinderschule. Please bring a jacket. Traditional Weckmännchen and refreshments will be served after the walk.
Meeting point location: 28 Silkgrass, Irvine, CA 92614
For more information, click here
Laternenfest at Bay Area Kinderstube in Albany, Saturday, November 12 at 4:00pm
Come celebrate the German tradition of St. Martin’s Day at Bay Area Kinderstube in Albany!
See our children perform on stage, sing songs, and join the annual lantern parade. You can bring your own lantern or buy one there! Enjoy seasonal treats including “Glühwein” (mulled wine), beer, hot chocolate, grilled sausages, “Weckmänner” (a German sweet bread) and soft pretzels. Don’t miss the chance to win one of many incredible gift baskets at the raffle!
Location: Bay Area Kinderstube, 842 Key Route Boulevard, Albany, CA 94706
For more information, click here
Lantern Walk at the Tivoli Rainbow Garden Preschool, Thursday, November 17 at 5 p.m.
Fun event for the whole family: Tivoli Rainbow Garden Preschool invites you to their traditional lantern walk. If you would like to bring a lantern, click here for some examples for crafting your own.
Location: Mar Vista Park, 11430 Woodbine Street, Los Angeles 90066
For more information, click here
GISSV – Schule – GISSV San Francisco Campus (4 & 8 Funston Avenue) Saturday, November 5 at 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Please join the GISSV San Francisco for the Laternenfest/Lantern Festival & Parade on Saturday, November 5 from 3 to 7 pm! The event will include crafts, lantern making, food and drinks and a lantern parade through the Presidio.
For more information, visit gissv.org/laternenfest
FLORIDA
St. Martin’s Day Lantern Crafting and Lantern Parade, Friday, November 4 at 6 – 8 p.m.
The German Ministry Miami is hosting St. Martin’s Day Lantern crafting from 6 – 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4. The parade takes place on November 9 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Make sure to enjoy a “Stutenmann” (bread man) afterwards!
Location: Coral Gables United Church of Christ, 3010 De Soto Blvd., Coral Gables, FL
MISSOURI
Lantern Parade Friday, November 25 at 6 – 9 p.m.
Hermann’s Christmas season officially begins with a Lantern Parade through downtown. Christmas carols and refreshments to follow after the parade. All ages are welcome!
For more information, click here
NEW JERSEY
St. Martin’s Lantern Walk in Hoboken, Jersey City, Friday, November 11 at 5 – 6 p.m.
Please come and celebrate St. Martins day with CityKinder in Hoboken. They are going to walk around the Pier A in Hoboken with their lanterns and sing St. Martins songs together. They will meet at the beginning of the Pier, walk to the end, make a picture stop and then walk back.
In the spirit of St. Martin this event is a fundraiser to benefit a different charity every year. Please register in advance!
Location: Pier A Park 100 Sinatra Dr. Hoboken, NJ 07030
For more information, click here
NEW YORK
St. Martin’s Lantern Walk in Prospect Park, Saturday, November 12 at 4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Every November, the German-speaking community of Brooklyn and beyond meets at dusk for our beloved Lantern Walk through beautiful Prospect Park. Children and their families come from all over the New York metro area, equipped with their often handmade glowing lanterns. After singing the traditional songs all will follow a procession through the park to watch a reenactment of St. Martin on horseback, sharing his cloak with the beggar.
Location: Prospect Park 62 West Drive, Brooklyn, NY
For more information, click here
St. Martin Celebration, Saturday, November 12 at 4:30 p.m.
Please join the Deutsches Haus at NYU for our annual St. Martin celebration! Celebrate by walking with their lanterns through Washington Square Park, singing traditional German St. Martin songs, and listening to the story of St. Martin. Traditional German snacks will be served for children and parents.
Location: Deutsches Haus at NYU, 42 Washington Mews, New York, NY 10003
For more information, click here
St. Martin Parade, Thursday, November 10 at 7 – 8 p.m.
The Prospect Academy invites all families to join them for a Lantern Parade on November 10, 7 pm to 8 pm at the school! Please join them for a lantern parade, singing, hot cocoa and traditional snacks at the St. Martin’s fire! Wir laden zum Laternenlauf, Singen, Kakao und Weckmann am St. Martin’s Feuer ein!
Location: Playground of Prospect Academy 82 Prospect St White Plains, NY.
For more information, click here
PENNSYLVANIA
St. Martin’s Day Parade, Saturday, November 12 at 5 – 6 p.m.
St. Martin was known as a friend to children and a patron of the poor. The German Society of Pennsylvania will celebrate his legacy with a favorite German tradition: a parade around the Northern Liberties neighborhood, singing loudly for all to hear. Snacks and refreshments will be provided, and lanterns will be available for purchase. Please RSVP to 215-627-2332 or info@germansociety.org.
Location: The German Society of Pennsylvania, 611 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
For more information, click here
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