It’s hard to believe but we are slowly approaching the end of the year!
First, however, we have all our wonderful traditional German and, of course, American festivities coming up next.
While Christmas season for sure starts with Thanksgiving for the Americans, for us Germans Saint Martin’s Day (Sankt Martinstag) with its festive lantern parades on November 11 rings in the holiday season.
At least that’s how I remember it… Often times the first snowfall covered the city streets in Munich already I recall, when I was walking with my friends in the crunchy snow, our self-made lantern in hands, excitedly singing traditional lantern songs. The air would materialize in front of our mouths so cold it was already, but we knew that a nice hot chocolate would await us at the end of the parade, often together with some delicious cookies and a yummy ‘Weckmann’ as well. Mmmmhhh!
Speaking of lantern parades. If you are looking for some family oriented parades in California, you are in luck!
The following Saint Martin’s Lantern Parades are all happening in Northern California this weekend on Saturday, November 10th . Let us know if you hear of any other ones and we can keep adding them to the list.
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Saturday, November 10th:
Bay Area’s Kinderstube has its annual Laternenfest
WHEN: Saturday, November 10 from 4pm-7pm
WHERE: 842 Key Route Boulevard in Albany
Bring your own lantern or buy one. Get your ticket to enjoy German fare from Glühwein, Weckmänner, Pretzels, Spätzle, Bratwurst and more.
Get your TICKETS here
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Saturday, November 10th:
German School in Novato
WHEN: Saturday, November 10th at 5:30 pm
WHERE: Pioneer Park in Novato
German School in Santa Rosa
WHEN: Saturday, November 10th at 5:30 pm
WHERE: School Campus in Santa Rosa
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Saturday, November 10th:
GISSV San Francisco – Lantern Parade & Festival
WHEN: Saturday, November 10th from 2pm-6pm
WHERE: 4 Funston Ave in the Presidio
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PLAN AHEAD for Christmas –
Christkindlmarket – Annual Christmas Market At The Phoenix Club in Anaheim
November 25th, 11 am-4pm in the Pavillion
Free Admission & Open to the Public
Enjoy German fare in a Christmas atmosphere setting with music, art & crafts and Christmas gift market featuring jewelry, European gifts and much more
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WEIHNACHTSGOTTESDIENST – Christmas Service
St.Luke’s Lutheran Church in La Mesa
Weihnachtsgottesdienst – German Christmas Carol Service
WHEN: Sunday, December 16th at 3pm , Sonntag, 16. Dezember 2018, 15:00 Uhr
WHERE: St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 5150 Wilson Street, La Mesa
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Let us know if you hear of any German Christmas Festivities in your neighborhood and we gladly add them to the list!
Image: Pixabay.com
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