Lantern Procession to the Autumn Fire Pölchow

Autumn Custom in the Village of Pölchow

The Lantern Procession to the Autumn Fire is a traditional autumn festival in the community of Pölchow, a village in the Warnow-West district west of Rostock. The festival is organized by the Pölchow Volunteer Fire Brigade in collaboration with the community association — a prime example of the volunteer spirit that holds North German village communities together.

Lanterns, Fire, and Community

As dusk settles in the early evening, the lantern procession begins: children parade through the village with their homemade, glowing lanterns, accompanied and supervised by the fire brigade. Upon reaching their destination, the brigade lights the large autumn fire. The village community then gathers around the flames for a convivial evening.

Stick Bread and Camaraderie Evening

The autumn fire festivities include stick bread cooked over the flames, mulled wine, and warm drinks. The evening concludes as a camaraderie evening — a social gathering where neighbours, families, and fire brigade members come together. The festival typically starts around 6 PM.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Rostock District

Pölchow belongs to the Warnow-West district in the Rostock district. The lantern procession to the autumn fire is a typical village festival of the region: small, heartfelt, and run by volunteers — a celebration that visibly strengthens local cohesion and is a firm autumn date, especially for families with children.