Martinstag (St. Martin’s Day) November 11th which we celebrate at the AEA Lantern Festival each fall, is a holiday in many European countries in honor of St Martin of Tour a kind and very compassionate man who lived in the late 4th century. The most famous legend of his life is that he cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar during a snowstorm, to save the beggar from dying of the cold.  2026: FoAEA  Lanternwalk at Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park this year on November 12th! 

In many parts of Germany it is traditional for children to participate in a procession of paper lanterns in remembrance of St. Martin. They make their own little lanterns and then gather on city streets to sing Martinstag songs. Often a man dressed as St. Martin with a long red cloak leads the parade on horseback. 

At AEA all elementary students craft traditional lanterns in their German class for St Martin’s Day to participate in the lantern walk during our annual Lantern Festival beginning of November.  A wonderful tradition that you don’t won’t to miss. 

If you do not have a lantern pole (short wooden dowel and little flash light) they will be for sale at the festival.

Although this is not a public holiday, it is taken rather seriously in Germany, and families make an effort to celebrate. It starts the night before the 6th, when kids shine their boots (Nikolaus-Stiefel) and put them in front of their bedroom doors.(Nowadays however many families also buy a red plastic or felt  boot or craft one out of card stock.) According to folklore, St. Nikolaus will visit during the night and put little gifts (oranges, nuts, cookies and chocolates) into the children’s boots if they have been good throughout the year. And well, if the children haven’t been good, they may get the more disappointing offering of coal by St Nikolaus’ helper by the name of Knecht Ruprecht.

In Switzerland the tradition is very similar. Each Christmas Swiss children receive a visit from Samichlaus — that’s Swiss German for St. Nick — and his black-clad henchman, Schmutzli. Visits are traditionally on St Nicklaus day, Dec 6, but Switzerland’s dynamic Christmas duo can arrive at any time. Samichlaus knocks on the door, frightened but excited kids answer. Samichlaus consults his big book of sins — co-authored by village parents — and does some light-hearted moralizing. Then he asks the kids to earn a little forgiveness by reciting a poem. After this and some assurances that they will reform, Samichlaus allows the children to reach deep into his bag for a smattering of tangerines, nuts, gingerbread, and other treats. 

Karneval, Fastnacht or Fasching (as the Austrians say). A true “fifth” season in German-speaking countries that officially begins on November 11th, at 11:11 a.m.  with planning meetings and other preparations for the actual celebration in late winter. The celebrations kick off with “Women’s Carnival” on Thursday before Ash Wednesday. The next highlight is Rose Monday (Rosenmontag) when  there are parades in many cities and towns with marching bands, dancers, and floats, throwing confetti, sweets, and toys to a large crowd of  dressed-up kids and adults that are flocking the streets every year to watch this spectacle. The last day of Karneval is Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras (Veilchendienstag) when costume balls are held.  The most traditional carnival festivities take place in Cologne, Düsseldorf,  and Mainz.

Switzerland and Austria have very similar carnival  traditions and the masked costumes at parades and balls are a highlight of this season.