You may have heard the murmurings floating around that the Lantern Festival is coming soon. This is our winter festival, a part of our yearly rhythm where we take an in breath. A time of recognising that cold and darkness are coming, the earth begins to go in, working hard within itself. The Lantern Festival comes close to the Matariki New Year as well, a time that marks new beginnings as the Māori new year begins. This is also a time where we go in too; mornings start cosy and warm, we warm ourselves up with tea and warm chats at the tea table. Our hearty veggie soups that many hands help to prepare adds to the warmth we need during these chillier months. We begin to have a nice long rest after lunch, recharging ourselves before going out into the winds again. 

In the warmth of our Kindy classroom we have been busy preparing for the Lantern Festival. We have painted some beautiful golden lanterns, ready to be constructed into their final form. At circle time we have been going on a journey with the Gnomes to help protect the earth's seeds from Jack Frost, helping Papatūānuku to make them a warm bed to sleep in and singing them lullabies to help them sleep through Winter. These songs are also our Lantern Festival songs.

The essence of the Lantern Festival is to acknowledge the light that shines forth from each of us. This light needs to be protected, just as the lights inside our lanterns do, so they don’t blow out. We gather together to help each other as the darkness closes in – a way to build a sense of belonging within our families and wider community, and share a little light with others.

The celebration takes place in the Fossil Bay Farm, it is a quiet, peaceful event and as we walk together we sing festival songs along the pathway past glowing crystal grottos. Guided by the shining light of our lanterns, made by our own hands, we celebrate the light that shines through the darkness of winter and we celebrate the collective warmth of our community. The evening is a magical experience for the children and adults alike, a favourite of many. 

What can you do to start preparing for the Lantern Festival? Ask your tamariki to share the Lantern Festival songs with you. Start thinking about your grottos - a little piece of magic your whānau can make to grace the lantern pathways. We will share more details about the Lantern Festival in the coming weeks. We can’t wait to see you and your light glowing through the darkness on this very special night.

A lantern song to get your started:

Glimmer Lantern Glimmer
Little stars a-shimmer
Over meadow, moor and dale
Flitter flutter elfin veil
Pee-wit pee-wit
Rick-a-tack-a tick
Roo-coo-roo-coo 

Glimmer Lantern Glimmer
Little stars a-shimmer
Over rock and stock and stone
Wander tripping little gnome
Pee-wit pee-wit
Rick-a-tack-a tick
Roo-coo-roo-coo