Each autumn, as the days grow shorter and the leaves begin to change, Charlottesville Waldorf School gathers to celebrate Michaelmas – a festival of courage, inner strength, and renewal. This seasonal tradition, observed by Waldorf schools around the world, reminds us that just as the earth prepares for winter’s darkness, we too must summon the bravery to meet life’s challenges with clarity and purpose.
Our Michaelmas celebration begins with the Michaelmas Pageant, performed by the Grade School. Through story, music, and movement, the pageant brings to life the legend of St. Michael and the dragon – a timeless tale of courage overcoming fear and of recognizing the power of the dragon in each of us. For our younger grade school students, tasks of courage offer opportunities to test their strength, balance, and resolve in playful but meaningful ways. Together, these experiences help students of all ages recognize that bravery is not the absence of fear, but the will to meet it with open hearts and steady hands.
This year, we are thrilled to expand the festival with a new tradition: Michaelmas Homecoming! Alongside our beloved pageant and the Michaelmas Fair, we’re planning a weekend of events to welcome alumni back to campus and into the broader Charlottesville community. Whether it has been one year or twenty since graduation, we look forward to reconnecting with former students and families, sharing stories, and celebrating the enduring spirit of Waldorf education.
Michaelmas at CWS is a living reminder that courage grows when it is shared, nurtured, and celebrated in community. We invite current families, alumni, and friends to join us in honoring this rich tradition, as we kindle the light of courage for the year ahead.
Michaelmas Pageant
Friday, September 26, 2025
8:30am in the Pavilion at CWS
Attention CWS Alumni – we have issued a special invitation for you to join us at Michaelmas this year and for a few other special activities. Please see the schedule and RSVP on the alumni page here >
