Every November in Germany, it is a common sight to see glowing lanterns moving through the evening. This celebration is known to many as Laternengehen  or Laternenumzug– “Lantern Going” or “Lantern Carrying”.

The holiday originated with St. Martin’s Day, a religious holiday celebrated in November. It became customary to take a lantern outside that evening and walk around the town with it.

Today, schoolchildren of various religions will gather in November with elaborately decorated paper lanterns and walk around their neighborhood singing songs about lanterns and the sun, moon, and stars.