Truckee Lantern Walk
A gift to the Truckee community - a gathering of light and song along the Truckee River
As the days grow shorter and the evenings darker, Wild River invites all of Truckee to gather with us for a Community Lantern Walk. Bring your family, your friends, your neighbors and a lantern. Together we'll walk along the river and sing as the light fades.
The Lantern Walk tradition
For centuries, as autumn turns toward winter, families across cultures have walked through their villages carrying lanterns in the dark. The custom is tied to Martinmas on November 11, the feast of St. Martin. The old story tells of a soldier who met a beggar shivering at the city gate on a cold night and cut his warm cloak in two to share it. It's a simple story about warmth and generosity in the hardest season, and the lanterns grew out of it.
Waldorf schools around the world have kept the tradition alive for generations. In the weeks before the walk, children shape their lanterns by hand, then carry them out into the evening. Children discover that even a small light, held carefully, is enough to find the way, and that the dark feels different when you walk it together.
The magic of the evening
There's a particular hush that settles over a lantern walk. Dozens of small glowing lights move along the path. Voices rise in simple songs, sometimes in rounds, sometimes softly enough that you hear the river beneath them. Children who usually run ahead slow down to keep their lanterns steady. Grown-ups find themselves walking more slowly too.
No one is performing and no one is watching. Everyone is part of it. Strangers become neighbors for an hour, and the darkening season feels a little less heavy for having been met together, with light and song.
We can think of no better place for it than the banks of the Truckee River, which flows out of Lake Tahoe and through the heart of our town. Its new park bears a Washoe name meaning "the water running out."
Wild River is glad to share this tradition with our whole community.
Saturday, November 14, 2026 · Gathering at 4:30 pm
Location: DewbeyúmuweÊ” Park, 10257 West River Street, Truckee
We'll meet at the town's new riverfront park, cross the bridge and walk a short stretch of the Truckee River Legacy Trail with our lanterns, singing simple songs as we go. At the turnaround we'll pause by the river for a short performance and a moment of quiet, then walk back together. The evening lasts about 60-75 minutes and is easy for little legs and strollers.
Parking: There is plenty of parking just across the bridge on South River Street, please see this Google Map link.
RSVP is not necessary, but appreciated, so we can plan accordingly. Click here if you would like to RSVP and be notified of any changes.
Make your lantern with us
Join one of our free lantern-making workshops before the walk. All materials are provided and all ages are welcome. You'll leave with a lantern and the songs we'll sing together.
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Thursday, November 5, 4:30 - 6:00 at Wild River School, 12640 Union Mills Road
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Monday, November 9, 3:00 - 5:00 at Truckee Library
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Tuesday, November 10, 4:30 - 6:00 at Wild River School, 12640 Union Mills Road
You are also welcome to make a lantern at home and just bring it to the walk. We will have a few extra lanterns at the gathering, too.
Good to know
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Dress warmly. November evenings can drop below freezing.
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Please bring a LED- battery tea light, NOT candles. We will also have LED tea lights to give out.
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Leashed dogs are welcome.
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In case of snow or ice, we'll post any change here or on our Instagram by 2 pm on the day.
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Please find the songs we will be singing here.
We cannot wait to bring a new tradition to our mountain town and share it with all of you.