Why Festivals in Waldorf Education?
In Waldorf Education, festivals serve as important rhythmic community events over the course of the year. The seasonal, annual nature of these gatherings provide predictable, anticipated community touch points for students, faculty and broader community members alike. Entangled with the seasons, each festival brings a unique alignment with nature’s annual changes and emphasizes the impact of the world around us as we move through the calendar year.
These intentional opportunities to connect, engage and often give collective gratitude are a highlight of community life at The Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork.
Additional festivals and holidays are also celebrated on a class by class basis to align with curriculum focus points, classroom communities and to ensure reflection and representation of the student body. Festivals and traditions are typically brought to life through stories, songs, verses and traditional activities, thus the study of our students comes alive, fostering a global consciousness and respect for our many unique, human traditions. For more questions around festivals and community events, please contact your Class Teacher who will be happy to engage in an in depth discussion around this topic.
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Michaelmas
September: Grades 1st to 8th
Michaelmas is celebrated in Waldorf Schools throughout the world at the turn of the fall equinox as a festival of courage. The old legends tell of Michael, the bright, strong angel who tames the dragon and inspires courage within us. Into darkness, fear, apathy and depression, Michael wields his sword of light that we may be inspired to face the inner and outer darkness with renewed strength of will and purpose in our lives, especially as the darkness of winter approaches. Thus, this festival is often celebrated with a story or play of the conquering of the dragon and a feast to give thanks.
The day begins with our regular Friday assembly and regular morning classes for 1-8th grade. The school community then gather outside for the Pageant, and the day culminates with a warm soup lunch for all to share, and a 12pm dismissal.
The Lantern Walk
November: PreK to 2nd Grade
When the days become short, the sun goes down earlier and the stars appear in the early skies, and the children, according to an old custom, would walk with lanterns through the streets in the early evening singing. This custom is worth renewing, especially if the children can make their lanterns themselves and are thus a part of creating their own light to carry.
As the world grows darker the inner light of human beings wants to shine forth. It is no coincidence that the lanterns are often decorated with suns and moons and stars, motifs which also appear in the songs and in our sky to bring light. They suggest heavenly forces that want to live in the souls of human beings on earth.
To celebrate the Lantern Walk at WSRF, we gather on the Kinderhaus playground around a fire and enjoy festive bread. Each parent lights their child’s lantern and we go on our journey in the dark, all together. Children carry lanterns made in class, but please feel free to bring lanterns from home for other family members or friends to use.
The children experience this magical evening as we collectively hold a quiet and reverent mood and ask that cell phones, flashlights and cameras stay in pockets.
Santa Lucia Day
December: All Students
The festival of light named for Santa Lucia is celebrated on her birthday, December 13. Lucia, whose name means "light," lived in the fourth century in Sicily and her birthday is honored in Sicily with a seasonal celebration. The celebration also became a traditional one in Sweden beginning in the eighteenth century, and this is the one we celebrate at our school.
In this ceremony, the youngest girl from the family is chosen to be Lucia. She rises before dawn and prepares luciakatter (literally, lucia cats), which are rolls seasoned with saffron and cardamon. Then, dressed in a white robe with a red sash, wearing a wreath of candles on her head, Lucia leads a procession of people, some maids of honor, others star boys, to bring rolls and coffee to the neighboring families.
It is our school tradition for the 2nd grade to prepare the luciakatter, dress in white robes, and bring bread to the other classes during main lesson, led by Lucia, either the oldest girl in the class, or a rotation of students throughout the morning. The class sings Santa Lucia, which begins, "Now in the winter night, good folk are waiting, see now the maid of light, darkness abating."
Advent Spiral
December: All Students
As the sunlight wanes during this season, festivals of lights are celebrated by many cultures around the world. One can find the Hindu festival of Divali, the Fillipino Fiesta, the Jewish celebration of Chanukah, and the Christian celebration of Advent.
As we near the darkest days of the year, and the absence of light is felt as we await its return. Our Advent Spiral celebration is an opportunity for the children to kindle their own lights to beckon and welcome the return journey of the Light.
The Advent Spiral is prepared in our Community Hall with evergreen branches laying out a large spiral. In the center of the spiral stands a single candle burning bright. The spiral gives the picture of a journey inward to kindle light and truth, and a journey back out into the world, spreading light for others who will make their journey. Each class has the opportunity to walk the spiral during two designated school days in December.
Winterfaire
December: Full Community & Broader Community Welcome
The WSRF community eagerly awaits Winterfaire! Winterfaire takes place the first Saturday in December and is open to the greater community. This annual event is a Waldorf tradition of community support and love to celebrate the beauty of the winter holidays together.
The success of this event is entirely held by our family community and their volunteer support. Each grade holds the responsibility of setup, facilitation and clean up for one aspect of the event, and families in grades 1-8 are asked to provide Angel Room gifts. All families are also asked to help with baked goods for the Happy Frog Tea Haus. When the class community collectively shares these tasks, the burden is small and the experience is lovely.
Winterfaire is a day filled with seasonal activities including beeswax candle dipping, the Angel Room, delicious food and much more!
Mayfaire
May: Full Community & Broader Community Welcome
Held the first Saturday in May, Mayfaire is a celebration carried from ancient times, to say farewell to winter and welcome to spring. Dances around the Maypole have been passed through generations and honor the fertility of the new season. Parents, children, family and friends are invited to share in the festivities as the students dance the Maypole, the chickens choose a Mayfaire King & Queen, and the children enjoy sweet crafts.
The success of this event is held by our parents and faculty. Each grade holds the responsibility of setup, facilitation and clean up for one aspect of the event. When the class community collectively shares these tasks, the burden is small and the experience is lovely.
Our current community members are asked to volunteer for a time slot to help with your student's class craft or activity. All parents are asked to find a volunteer slot, and if you have more than one child, please sign up for at least one slot per grade. Help is needed the whole day, and if your class has already filled up their sign up sheet, please help out with a general need such as parking, making faculty crowns, decorating the Royal Cart, Honey Bee Cafe, or Tent Set Up.
