Events & Festivals

As living traditions, our festivals and events naturally experience ebbs and flows, with some changing over time while new ones come to life. Certain activities are suited only for older students, others are designed for Early Childhood, and many are shared by the whole community.

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Our School Calendar lists the dates of major events throughout the year. For the most current information, sign up for our AWS Newsletter.

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OPENING ASSEMBLY – ROSE CEREMONY

The school year begins with an assembly for students in Grades 1–8. Each class teacher shares a short preview of the year ahead. The assembly opens with the Rose Ceremony, a treasured tradition in which each first grader is warmly welcomed into the grades by their first grade teacher and receives a rose from an eighth grader. This exchange, marking the beginning of their Waldorf journey, holds special significance for the first graders and symbolizes the circle connecting those just starting their path with those completing it.

 

MICHAELMAS

Near the autumnal equinox, at the end of September or early October, we celebrate Michaelmas. Rooted in ancient traditions, this day honors the archangel Michael, who courageously subdued a dragon to save the kingdom. At AWS, Michaelmas reminds us of the strength and light within each of us to meet life’s challenges with courage. Families are invited to observe and enjoy this celebration, which includes feats of strength, harvest soup, dragon bread, and more.

 

LANTERN WALK / MARTINMAS

In November, we celebrate Martinmas, a festival of inner light carried into the outer darkness of approaching winter. Lantern Walk at AWS reminds us that each of us holds a divine spark to share with the world. Children in Early Childhood and Grades 1 & 2 sing songs and carry handmade lanterns on a quiet evening walk along a luminary-lit path.

 

WINTER FAIRE

Each year, a special space is transformed into a winter wonderland filled with arts and crafts, children’s games, puppet shows, food and treats, music, singing, and holiday gift shopping. This joyful event is open to the public—bring your family and friends for a truly unique Asheville experience.

 

WINTER SPIRAL

In a darkened room, a single candle is lit. One by one, each child lights their own candle from it and places it along a spiral of greenery, filling the space with growing light. This quiet, reverent festival reminds us of the light that shines within each of us, even in the darkest time of year. Parents are invited to walk this beautiful spiral with their child’s class.
We recognize that winter is a season of renewal honored in many cultures. While we celebrate with this tradition, we hold awareness that Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and other families in our school community bring their own meaningful celebrations of light.

 

WINTER ASSEMBLY

Our Grades students gather with parents for a whole-school assembly where classes share songs, poems, and movement pieces they have been practicing throughout the fall.

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SANTA LUCIA

Santa Lucia is a festival of light—one of many celebrated across cultures—honoring Lucia, whose name means “light.” Originating in fourth-century Sicily and later embraced in Sweden, the celebration brings warmth and brightness to the darkest days of winter. At our school, second graders bake Lussekatter (“Lucia cats”) sweet rolls, dress in white robes, and visit classrooms singing Santa Lucia: “Now in the winter night, good folk are waiting, see now the maid of light, darkness abating.”

 

SPRING ASSEMBLY

Students in Grades 1–8 share songs, poems, and movement pieces at this whole-school assembly for students and parents.

 

SPRING BLOOM GALA

A special adults-only evening celebrating our school community and raising funds for tuition assistance and special projects. This festive night out, held in late April or early May, features a gala dinner and silent auction.

 

MAY FAIRE

Our community welcomes spring with May Faire, traditionally held on the first weekend of May. This joyful festival features music, dancing, crafts, and community gathering. Children weave colorful ribbons around the Maypole, and the entire Asheville community is invited to join in the celebration.

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FLY AWAY CEREMONY

On the final day of Early Childhood, we gather to honor the rising first graders as they prepare to leave kindergarten and enter the grades. In this heartfelt ceremony, each child is recognized by their kindergarten teacher and presented with the wooden sword—or other handcrafted project—they have been working on throughout the year. The moment symbolizes courage, readiness, and the joyful transition from the imaginative world of early childhood to the new adventures of first grade.

 

END OF YEAR ASSEMBLY – ROSE CEREMONY

At the closing assembly, Grades 1–8 share music, poetry, and movement. We also hold a second Rose Ceremony, where first graders present roses to the eighth graders—completing the circle that began in August and symbolizing the cycle of beginning and completion in Waldorf education.