A longstanding European tradition is returning to Huntington Beach this month, offering local families a free evening of cultural heritage and community celebration. As Patch reported, the annual Saint Martin Lantern Parade will take place on Sunday, Nov. 15, at Old World Village, bringing traditional German festivities to the neighborhood.
The event is hosted by German School Campus, a nonprofit bilingual educational institution operating locations in both Huntington Beach and Newport Beach. Running from 5 to 7 p.m. at 7561 Center Ave., the festive gathering is designed to share German culture and customs with residents across Orange County.
The celebration centers around St. Martin's Day, known in Germany as Martinstag. The holiday honors Saint Martin of Tours, a historic Roman soldier who is remembered for sharing his cloak with a person in need. In Germany, children traditionally mark the occasion by carrying handmade lanterns through their local neighborhoods while singing songs focused on themes of kindness, generosity, and helping others.
Huntington Beach families attending the upcoming event will be able to experience these customs firsthand through an evening scheduled with music, storytelling, and a group walk along the cobblestone paths of the village.
According to the event schedule, festivities start at 5 p.m., followed by a short St. Martin play at roughly 5:45 p.m. The main lantern procession is set to begin around 6 p.m. and run through 7 p.m. During the hour-long parade, participants will walk through the village carrying glowing lanterns. The event will also highlight traditional St. Martin songs to give local children and parents an opportunity to learn more about the overseas custom.
Organizers are welcoming attendees of all ages, and admission to the event is completely free. However, to assist with planning the parade, event organizers ask families to reserve a free ticket in advance for each participating child. Adults who are accompanying children do not need to register for tickets.
Families planning to attend should prepare by bringing their own lanterns from home. Event organizers confirmed that lanterns will not be available to purchase on site during the event. Additionally, organizers advise attendees to dress warmly for the outdoor evening activities.
While admission remains free to the public, organizers are accepting an optional suggested donation of $5 to help support German School Campus and its ongoing cultural education programming. Contributions can be made digitally through Venmo at @germanschoolcampus.
Free parking for attendees is available near the village venue. For further details about the parade schedule or to reserve free child tickets, residents can visit the official event page on the Old World website or go to GermanSchoolCampus.com.
