Festivals
Festivals at River Valley bring rhythm, meaning, and joy to the school year, honoring nature, tradition, and the shared journey of childhood.
Celebrating the Seasons, Strengthening Community
Festivals are at the heart of Waldorf education.
Each festival is a cherished moment that unites students, families, and teachers in celebration of nature’s rhythms and shared humanity. At River Valley, seasonal festivals mark the turning points of the year, inviting everyone to step out of everyday routines and into moments of wonder, meaning, and connection.
These gatherings anchor the school community in a dependable yearly cadence, helping children internalize time and deepen their sense of belonging. Festivals invite reverence and presence, fostering gratitude through simple rituals like singing, storytelling, movement, seasonal crafts, and shared meals. They also honor global and cultural traditions, broadening students’ awareness of diverse customs and perspectives.
Celebrating festivals supports children emotionally by providing safe spaces for self-expression and communal joy. From the excitement of the Festival of Courage to the reverence of the Spiral of Light these transformative rites of passage provide opportunities for students to feel seen in their growth from year to year. The festival life of River Valley Waldorf School cultivates unity, resilience, and a soulful connection to the earth and one another, foundations that enrich both personal development and academic learning.
Mayfaire
Mayfaire is River Valley’s joyful welcome to spring, a community day filled with Maypole dancing, live student music, and wholesome seasonal fun.
Families wander the campus enjoying a bake sale and lunch, make flower crowns and other spring crafts, dye silk, create jump ropes, visit the whimsical Pocket Fairy, and plant a seed to take home. It is a lively celebration of renewal, creativity, and togetherness for all ages.
Winter Fair
Winter Fair brings the community together for a warm, festive celebration of the season.
Children journey to meet King Winter, shop for small gifts in the Secret Garden, and make holiday crafts like beeswax candles and paper stars, while families browse an artisan vendor market, bake apples at the outdoor oven, and enjoy music, hearty food, and a beloved bake sale. With free entry and low-cost activities, it is a magical, family-centered day in true River Valley tradition.
