Martinstag, or St. Martin’s Day, is dedicated to St. Martin of Tours. According to legend, he was riding through a village during a snowstorm when he happened upon a homeless beggar. To keep the poor man from freezing to death, he ripped his red cloak in half and covered him. On Nov. 11, towns and villages throughout Germany celebrate Martinstag. Children dress in costume and often reenact the story at a local church. After the story is told, the children embark on a procession with beautiful paper lanterns through the town to a bonfire, or Martinsfeuer, where pretzels and Glühwein are the typical celebratory fare.

Here are some Martinstag celebrations and processions taking place around the KMC this week:

Nov. 10, 2016

Bonfire5 p.m., Bruchmühlbach

Celebration5:30 p.m., St. Laurentius Church, Hochspeyer

Celebration6 p.m., Church of the Holy Spirit, Landstuhl

Parade6 p.m., Holy Cross Church, Kaiserslautern

Nov. 11, 2016

Parade5 p.m., St. Valentinuskirche, Bann

Celebration6 p.m., St. Josef Church, Mittelbrunn

Celebration5:30 p.m., St. Blasius Church, Möhlschbach

Celebration and Procession5:30 p.m., St. Markus Church, Landstuhl

Bonfire5:30 p.m., St. Nikolas Church, Ramstein

Celebration and Procession6 p.m., Kindsbach

Grand Celebration and Procession6 p.m., Martinplatz, Kaiserslautern

Parade6 p.m., Dorfplatz, Morlautern

Nov. 12, 2016

Celebration5:30 p.m., Hauptstuhl

Celebration6 p.m., St. Josef Church, Mittelbrunn