Sankt Martin happens just nine days before Earthrise:Live - so right around the time your partner class might be reading this. Towns across Germany hold lantern walks for the local primary schools. The kids spend weeks at school making their own lanterns, painting paper with watercolours and stretching it over wire frames.
When the day comes, schools and families gather just before sunset. Each child carries their lantern on a stick, often with a tiny battery light inside (real candles in the old days, but now mostly safer LEDs). When everyone is ready, the procession sets off through the town. Often there is a person on a horse leading the way.
There are special songs that German children learn from very young. The most famous is called 'Laterne, Laterne' (Lantern, lantern) - a simple tune about lanterns shining out into the night. As the procession winds through the streets, hundreds or even thousands of voices sing it together.
The procession usually ends in a town square where there is a big bonfire and Weckm盲nner - sweet bread rolls shaped like little people - handed out to the children. Then everyone goes home, often carrying still-glowing lanterns. Sankt Martin is one of the gentlest and most magical evenings in the German year.