Lantern parade delights Stendal: a festive evening for young and old!

Lantern parade delights Stendal: a festive evening for young and old!

On November 11, 2025, St. Martin's Day was celebrated in a lively way in Stendal. Many visitors flocked to the lantern parade, which traditionally began with a torchlight parade involving the volunteer fire department and citizens. This atmospheric parade started early on Tuesday evening in the city lake and led through the streets of the district to the fire station. The Lüderitz fanfare accompanied the participants with melodious playing and created a festive atmosphere.

Arriving at the fire station yard, local fire chief Norman Höfel helped light the large fire that burned for the children at the event. Puppeteer Anastasiia Starodubova provided additional entertainment and joy for the littlest visitors with a magical performance. Baking bread on sticks was also popular, and the children enjoyed it with enthusiasm.

St. Martin's Day traditions

St. Martin's Day, historically anchored in the legend of Saint Martin, takes us back to a Roman nobleman who shared his cloak with a freezing beggar. This tradition is not only celebrated in Stendal, but also in many cities in Saxony-Anhalt, where lantern parades with singing by children and adults are part of the custom. In Halle, for example, the traditional St. Martin's parade begins at Halle Cathedral at 4:30 p.m., with participants marching to Moritzburg with trumpets and lanterns.

But parades and celebrations for St. Martin's Day were also organized in other cities such as Magdeburg, Köthen and Bad Harzburg, offering a colorful range of events. The lantern parade will take place in Magdeburg's Elbarenpark at 5:30 p.m., while in Köthen on the same day at 5:30 p.m. the celebration will begin on the market square with St. Martin's squirrels and a fundraising campaign.

Diverse activities and offers

Back to Stendal: Visitors were able to enjoy the offers from the fire brigade support association on the festival grounds. Not only were delicious bratwursts and flamed salmon served here, but also sweet waffles, popcorn and cotton candy, which rounded off the culinary experience. No matter whether big or small, the festival captivated young and old and strengthened solidarity in the community.

A beautiful evening that not only celebrated St. Martin's Day, but also kept traditions alive and brought the community together. Such events are important in order to reflect on your roots in the hectic everyday life and to spend time with your loved ones - there is really something to be said!

For further information about festivals and celebrations in Saxony-Anhalt you can also look around [Here](https://www.mz.de/leben/familie/laternenumzug-wo-in-sachsen-anhalt-der-martinstag-ge Feiert-wird-3945460) or see the details of the event in Stendal Read Volksstimme.