Horchheim – St. Martin Lantern Parade

The St. Martin's Lantern Parade is one of the most important family traditions of autumn in Koblenz, a city with a strong Catholic heritage. In the Horchheim district, the parade is organized by the Horchheimer Kirmesgesellschaft St. Maximinus e.V. – a traditional association that has shaped the social life of the district on the right bank of the Rhine for generations.

The St. Martin's Tradition

Saint Martin of Tours famously shared his cloak with a freezing beggar outside the gates of Amiens. This image – the sharing of warmth and light – is at the heart of the St. Martin tradition. In kindergartens and primary schools, children craft their own lanterns in preparation: suns, moons, stars, animals, and imaginative shapes.

The Parade on November 10th

On the evening of November 10, 2026, children will gather with their parents and families at a designated starting point in Horchheim. The procession is led by St. Martin as a rider in a Roman soldier's uniform, followed by a brass band playing the classic St. Martin songs: 'Sankt Martin ritt durch Schnee und Wind' (St. Martin rode through snow and wind), 'Ich geh mit meiner Laterne' (I walk with my lantern), 'Laterne Sonne Mond und Sterne' (Lantern Sun Moon and Stars). Families walk behind with their lanterns, singing along.

Atmosphere in the District

The route winds through the streets of Horchheim – a district of manageable size where many residents know each other and participate in the parade with their children and grandchildren, or watch from their windows and doors. The chains of lanterns in the dark streets, the warm atmosphere of the music, the scent of punch and mulled wine, and the sense of community make the parade an emotional experience.

At the Destination: St. Martin's Bonfire and 'Weckmann'

At the end of the parade route, the traditional St. Martin's bonfire is lit – a symbol of shared light. Afterwards, the legend of St. Martin is often briefly reenacted or told, and the children receive the traditional 'Weckmann' – a sweet yeast pastry with a clay pipe, often distributed for free. Hot children's punch, mulled wine, and sausages complete the offerings.

A Family Tradition with Generational Value

The St. Martin's parade is one of those events where generations come together. Grandparents who experienced it as children walk with their grandchildren; young families pass on the tradition to their children; older residents light the candles in their windows and watch from the sofa. Thus, the St. Martin's parade is not just a custom, but also a social glue that holds a district together.