Festivals & Celebrations

Like Waldorf schools everywhere, we mark the beginning of the school year with The Rose Ceremony, a meaningful tradition in which first graders are welcomed into the grades by the eighth grade class, who are embarking on their last year at the school. Each first grader’s name is called as they are guided hand-in-hand by an eighth grader, over a small bridge away from their early childhood teachers and towards their new grades teacher, who gives them a single rose. This touching ceremony represents a milestone for both classes, marking the beginning of a continued journey for the first and eighth graders, who will stay connected all year. First graders benefit from having an “eighth grade buddy” when they need guidance and support at festivals or key learning transitions, and eighth graders learn even more about themselves by helping a younger child.  At the end of the school year, at the Reverse Rose Ceremony, the first graders will celebrate the eighth graders’ graduation from Brooklyn Waldorf School by giving them a single rose, in celebration of their transition out of eighth grade and into young adulthood.

Also early in the school year, Harvest Festival marks the last of summer’s warmth and celebrates new beginnings. Grades children travel for a festive field day in nearby Ft. Greene Park, where they revel in a variety of athletic activities and games, grounded as always in story. Students enjoy treats of apple cider and homemade “dragon bread” made by parents, an homage to ancient stories of heroes and dragons. This festival is attended by students, faculty and staff, and some parent volunteers.

Toward the end of autumn, early childhood and Grades 1 and 2 families and faculty gather at dusk to form a glowing procession lit by handmade lanterns and enlivened by festive songs. As the days grow shorter, our annual Lantern Walk serves to remind us of our enduring inner lights, which continue to shine through the changing of the seasons. Even on a chilly autumn evening, all those involved are happy to convene for such a warm and wonderful community event.

On the first Saturday of December, Brooklyn Waldorf School hosts its signature festival, Winter Fair, an epic multi-faceted event that is open to the public and beloved throughout Brooklyn and beyond. Showcasing the unique creativity and dedication of our parent body, Winter Fair transforms all four floors of the school’s historic building, with classrooms becoming magical realms, and many timeless (screen free) activities to delight all ages. Food, live music, and a Holiday Marketplace round out the offerings. Winter Fair is a chance for families to connect with each other, a homecoming event for alumni, a fundraiser for the school, a chance to welcome everyone into the beauty of “Claver Castle”, a kick-off to the holiday season, and so much more.

This reverent celebration is designed to remind us that even in the darkest of winter we can still find light to lead us on our way. In a darkened room, all enter in silence. A pine bough spiral graces the floor, and each child walks the spiral alone, carrying an unlit candle nestled in a holder made from an apple. The child progresses toward the center of the spiral towards a glowing candle, from which they then light their own candle, once they reach the center light.  On the walk out of the spiral, the student places their own candle in the spiral along the way. After everyone in the class has traveled the spiral individually, the path will glimmer with many candles, and the students leave quietly. Families are welcomed to watch their child’s journey in quiet contemplation, and adult members of the community are also welcome to participate in their own spiral walk.

The Brooklyn Waldorf celebration of this important Asian holiday grew naturally from our Mandarin language program, and over 20 years has become a student favorite, due in no small part to the delicious dumplings, singing and the fun of watching Grade 5 bring a large paper dragon to life. 

  May Fair & Scootathon 2025  

We honor grandparents, elders and meaningful people in our student’s lives with Elders & Special Persons Day, held each year in mid May, the morning after our annual Spring Concert. Visits to classrooms, a tour of the building, and an array of special presentations by the children help grandparents, elders and family friends learn more about Waldorf education and how their beloved children spend their school days. If you are a grandparent or elder with enrolled family at BWS, we would love to invite you to attend this event. Please give us your contact information here.

We send off our Eighth Graders with a commencement ceremony rich with the pomp and circumstance you hope for with this important milestone, and yet Waldorf graduations also offer so much more. Each class is unique, and so each graduation is unique, featuring speeches and songs and memories from the students and families themselves, reminiscing about their years together becoming self-possessed and accomplished young adults. The ceremony, which happens on the stage in our gymnasium, is followed by a community-wide cake & punch  reception for extended family and guests.

Our spacious gymnasium and classic proscenium stage, combined with a curriculum rich in choral music, instrumental music, language, literature and the performing arts, afford our school the perfect ingredients for beautiful assemblies showcasing our students and bringing the community together at key times during the school year. Assemblies include gatherings before Fall and Winter Break, a celebration of the immense cultural legacy of black Americans for Black History Month, a Spring Concert and an End-of-Year Assembly. (These are in addition to the performance of a Class Play by every class each year, as well as regular instrumental music performances in the later grades.)