Festivals & Celebrations
At Mountaintop Waldorf School, seasonal festivals and celebrations are a beloved part of our community life. Rooted in ancient traditions and aligned with the rhythms of nature, these events mark the turning points of the year and help connect students, families, and faculty to the natural world and one another. These shared experiences nourish the inner life, strengthen community bonds, and offer children the joy of meaningful participation.
Our festivals are thoughtfully woven into the life of the school through story, song, verse, and meaningful activity. Some are celebrated school community wide, while others take place within individual classes with only the children and teachers in attendance. In addition to seasonal festivals, birthdays are joyfully honored in the classroom, offering each child a moment of recognition and celebration within their peer community, parents are welcomed into the space for our older classes.
Below are some of the festivals and celebrations we hold dear to Mountaintop each year:
Fall
Back-to-School Picnic
We honor the beginning of the school year with a community wide picnic on our lawns, each family gets to meet one another and our teachers and we beginning building our school bonds and community.
Michaelmas - Festival of Courage
Michaelmas is celebrated in Waldorf schools around the world at the turning of the fall equinox as a festival of courage. Rooted in the old legends, it honors Michael, the radiant archangel who tames the dragon and inspires bravery within the human heart. With his shining sword of light, Michael calls us to meet both the inner and outer darkness with strength, will, and purpose—especially as the days grow shorter and we prepare for the quiet of winter. At our school, we mark this festival with a Walk of Courage, a puppet play depicting the triumph over the dragon, and a gathering around the fire to share our homemade Dragon Bread in gratitude and celebration.
Lantern Walk
In early November, as the days grow shorter and darkness falls earlier, our students and families gather for a peaceful Lantern Walk through the woods and play yards. Children carry lanterns they’ve made in class—symbols of their own inner light—while singing together in a quiet, reverent procession led by their teachers. Parents light the lanterns, and everyone is invited to bring extra lanterns for family or friends. This cherished tradition encourages warmth, wonder, and a sense of community, ending with a shared treat after singing to greet the Star Fairy. We ask that cell phones, flashlights, and cameras remain tucked away to preserve the magic of the evening.
Winter
Winter Garden Spiral
As the darkness of winter deepens, the Winter Spiral offers a peaceful and reverent space for reflection, symbolizing the quiet journey inward and the rekindling of our inner light. Held off campus and prepared with care alongside our greater community, the spiral is laid with evergreen boughs, guiding each child on a gentle walk toward a single glowing candle at the center. There, they light their own candle and place it along the spiral path, slowly illuminating the way for those who follow. This simple yet profound gesture reflects the hope, warmth, and light we carry within—and share with one another—as we move through the darkest season. Quietly observed by families, the Winter Spiral invites stillness, wonder, and a deep sense of peace.
Solstice Celebration
Our school-wide Solstice Celebration marks the turning point of the year, when we gather as a community around a warm fire to honor the return of the light. In the spirit of togetherness, we share in song, reflection, and the simple joy of breaking bread before departing for our Winter Break. This quiet, meaningful moment offers a sense of warmth, connection, and renewal as we step into the heart of winter.
Imbolc/Candlemas Festival
A children only festival, Candlemas, celebrated halfway between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, is a festival of light, hope, and renewal. Rooted in many cultural and seasonal traditions—including Imbolc, St. Brigid’s Day, and Groundhog Day—it marks the gentle turning toward spring and the growing strength of the sun. In earlier times, people would wake to natural light once more, and hibernating animals were thought to stir from their winter rest. At school, we honor this moment by dipping beeswax candles or decorating existing ones with warmed, colored wax—filling the air with the sweet scent of beeswax and joyful singing. These handmade candles will be used in the classroom or for next year’s Winter Garden, symbolizing the growing light within and around us. Candlemas reminds us, in the quiet glow of shared work and song, that spring will come again.
Spring
Pancake/Maple Syrup Day
To welcome the early signs of spring, the children celebrate with a joyful Pancake and Maple Syrup Day. As the sap begins to rise in the trees, we gather to enjoy warm, homemade pancakes topped with sweet maple syrup—a gift from the awakening earth. This simple, seasonal celebration connects the children to nature’s rhythms and brings a sense of warmth, joy, and gratitude for the turning of the year.
May Day
May Day is a joyful and beloved Waldorf tradition that celebrates the arrival of spring with music, dance, and a spirit of togetherness. Held during the first week of May, our school community gathers to weave flower crowns and take part in the festive Maypole dance—an age-old tradition that honors the renewal and vitality of the season. With colorful ribbons, spring songs, and joyful movement, students, teachers, and families come together to mark the turning of the year, celebrating the beauty, rhythm, and promise of new life all around us.
Summer
End of Year Picnic
Families and community members gather in our yard for a festive end-of-year celebration filled with story, song, and joyful togetherness. We share a community picnic and enjoy simple, playful activities that mark the close of the school year with warmth, gratitude, and fun.