Festivals
Festivals are a fun and vibrant part of Waldorf Education. Bringing the community together to celebrate seasonal and academic transitions and milestones, students, staff, and faculty, along with family members from the greater Seacoast community, sing and dance, share food, and celebrate our shared humanity.
Some of our cherished festivals include:
First Day Celebration & Rose Ceremony — A welcoming ceremony for the new first-grade class with the oldest class handing a rose to each new first grader, building intergenerational relationships that last all year long.
Michaelmas — A celebration of our ability to overcome the challenges that face us in life, Michaelmas has its roots in Christianity but has taken on secular meaning in modern times. The Seacoast Waldorf celebration of Michaelmas features all grades participating in a pageant of St. Michael and the Dragon and sharing a communal meal. Falling in the early fall, Michaelmas commemorates Archangel Michael as the greatest of angels who defeated the devil in a heavenly war. These concepts are not the focus of a Waldorf Michaelmas festival, however. Waldorf founder Rudolf Steiner considered this festival as the second most important after Easter because of the way it teaches children to face their fears and strengthen their resolve. It is the first festival of the school year, becoming a rite of passage into a new grade, and a new stage of learning.
Halloween — While not a festival in its own right, Halloween is celebrated in many Seacoast classrooms. Often, Waldorf teachers encourage their students to align their costumes with something they’re learning.
Santa Lucia — A festival about finding light at the darkest time of year, Santa Lucia invites students to sign their way through the school, dressed in traditional costumes. With roots in early Christianity, the festival recalls how an early saint wore a wreath of lit candles to illuminate her path as she brought food to those who were hungry. Celebrated near the winter solstice, Santa Lucia signifies the ability to find light in darkness. Santa Lucia is a popular holiday in foreign countries such as Sweden and Italy.
Lantern Walk — Students in the Early Childhood program and grades 1-3, with their families, walk a forest path, holding handmade lanterns as symbolic of the ability to carry light and strength into the coming dark of winter. This beautiful, serene festival happens in the fall in the early evening and has a magical feel.
St. Nicholas Day — Students leave their shoes out at night, and St. Nick leaves a goodie by morning. This festival is a fun way for students to have their good deeds and improving habits recognized. An actual St. Nicholas visits older students with a sidekick named Rupert.
Winter Spiral — Parents join their Early Childhood and grades 1-3 students for an evening of inspiration, traversing through a spiral of boughs set up in the great hall of Seacoast Waldorf School. Each child walks the spiral, lights a candle from the flame of a center candle, and places their candle along the spiral. By the end, the room is quietly lit by the effort of all the children.
Holiday Fair — This community-wide event draws vendors, activities, food, and music for a fun holiday celebration.
Fairytale Morning — This free morning event for children younger than 7 offers puppet shows, live entertainment, dress-up, food, and crafts.
Spring Gala — This parents-only event gathers supporters of Seacoast Waldorf School for a festive evening celebrating the vibrant community of Seacoast Waldorf School. Offering food, entertainment, and silent + live auctions, the Spring Gala is a key fundraiser to collect support that benefits the school.
May Faire — Welcome spring with Seacoast Waldorf School at the May Faire, where our entire community dances around the maypole. There is also live music, delicious food, crafts, and other activities for families to enjoy.