Events, Festivals & Assemblies
Community is the beating heart of Portland Waldorf School. Seasonal festivals, musical gatherings, and assemblies are tied to the rhythmic nature of our lives and weave together our shared humanity throughout the year.
Mark your calendars and check back here regularly for events that get updated or added throughout the school year. For a very detailed list of events, class schedules, meetings, sports events and much more, please log into your PWSConnect account and check the calendar for the most up-to-date information.
Upcoming 2025-26 Seasonal Events
Winter Market
We celebrate the coming of winter and the holiday seasons with our Annual Winter Market. Held in the PWS gym, the market boasts beautiful, original crafts and works of art handmade by parents, students and talented community members. This day of supporting local artisans is accompanied by a festive atmosphere and live music.
Sunday, November 23, 10am
Spiral of Light Community Gathering
As the days grow noticeably shorter and the frosty winter nights approach their longest, we all begin to yearn for the light that so recently illuminated our lives. As a symbolic reminder of the journey inward that we each make during the dark days ahead, students participate in a beautiful Spiral of Light walk during the school day. During the evening, the Spiral is made available to adult alumni (12/1) and adult community members (12/2).
In a dimly lit room, attendees are invited to walk the spiral path of fresh evergreen boughs, which is decorated with shells, crystals, and stars of gold.
This community event is intended for adults only.
Monday & Tuesday, December 1 & 2, 6pm
Middle & High School Winter Concert
Concerts feature our strings classes, orchestra, bands, and choir. These groups present a variety of selections that showcase the work they've done in class. The music is diverse and ranges from folk to classical, to musicals, and rock.
Friday, January 16, 6pm
Grades School Winter Concert
Friday, January 30, 6pm
Concerts feature our strings classes, orchestra, bands, and choir. These groups present a variety of selections that showcase the work they've done in class. The music is diverse and ranges from folk to classical, to musicals, and rock.
Annual All-School Talent Show
Organized as a fundraiser by the high school’s senior class, the Talent Show is an evening event in the gym offering a sumptuous dinner and highly entertaining show suitable for all ages. It features a variety of acts performed by members of our school community from grades four and up (and often teachers and administrators as well). Don’t miss it!
Friday, February 27, 5:30pm
Annual Spring Gala
Saturday, March 14, 5pm - 9pm
Our annual Gala is an elegant affair with delicious food and drink, lively music, and a live and silent auction. It’s a chance for everyone in the PWS community to put on their party attire and bring friends along for a wonderful evening of dancing, entertainment, and camaraderie that also raises essential funds for our school.
Community Care Party
Saturday, April 25, 9am - 1pm
Some of the most important work we can do is to model for our children that we are dedicated to hard work and care for the spaces in which we live. Twice a year, PWS hosts a day of caring work, community building and fun in service to the beautiful land and buildings that hold our children every school day. Join fellow parents, faculty and staff for a variety of projects, both indoors and outdoors.
Childcare is not provided. Children of all ages are encouraged to join in the activities.
May Faire
Saturday, May 2, 9am - 1pm
This festival welcomes the return of Spring – the rebirth and growth of new plant life, the lengthening of the daylight hours, and the strengthening warmth of the sun. May Faire is our largest celebration of the year and is open to the outside community. This lovely event is a special time for us to invite our friends and neighbors to enjoy uniquely Waldorf style games, activities, live music, vendor market, crafts, food, the procession of the animals (4th graders) with the May Court (11th graders) and a traditional Maypole dance performed by Grade 6. The Early Childhood teachers offer a beautiful puppet show for our younger children several times throughout the day. Families are encouraged to bring their own picnic lunches but also partake of treats at the bake sale.
Middle & High School Winter Concert
Friday, May 8, 6pm
Concerts feature our strings classes, orchestra, bands, and choir. These groups present a variety of selections that showcase the work they've done in class. The music is diverse and ranges from folk to classical, to musicals, and rock.
Grades School Winter Concert
Concerts feature our strings classes, orchestra, bands, and choir. These groups present a variety of selections that showcase the work they've done in class. The music is diverse and ranges from folk to classical, to musicals, and rock.
Friday, May 15, 6pm
Senior Play Performances
Wednesday, May 27 - Saturday May 30
Working with an experienced drama teacher, the Senior class prepares, rehearses and presents a full-length, full-production play. Students help design and acquire costumes, paint sets and prepare props, lights, program and playbill. The play is performed in an off campus theater
The entire community is invited and encouraged to attend. Recommended attendee age for the play changes from year to year depending on the chosen script.
“Throughout the world, in all civilizations, there are celebrations reflecting nature’s rhythms, important transitions and significant moments in the life of the culture. We celebrate these to sustain and renew ourselves.
For many of us today, our busy lives and full schedules can limit the possibilities for us to participate in the marvel of the seasons. Festivals, marking the cardinal points in the year, can provide a touchstone for the cycles of the earth and renewal of the spirit. In Waldorf schools, the elements of festival—light, food, song and story—permeate the weekly school rhythm; but the cadence of the year receives its form through annual festivals of nature and humanity. We celebrate in ways that foster wonder, reverence and gratitude and nourish the future capacity to respond—to be responsible for and among the human community.”
— Adapted from our friends at Eugene Waldorf School