As darkness settled over Auckland Park and the winter chill crept in, something rather magical began to glow at Mimosa School.

Handmade lanterns twinkled, fires crackled and the sweet smell of toasted marshmallows drifted through the air as close to 200 people gathered for the school’s first-ever Spark! in the Dark celebration.

Born from fond memories of winter solstice traditions, the evening was lovingly brought to life by parents and community members. “We wanted to recreate some of those special memories for our children and bring people together around warmth, light and connection,” said parent organiser Sophia Welz. “And we’re definitely already planning the next one.”

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The evening unfolded like a fairy tale. Children carefully crafted lanterns from glass jars and tissue paper before carrying them through the school grounds in a candlelit procession as the last rays of sunlight faded. Parents led songs while families followed the glow through the alleyway, creating a scene that felt timeless.

“There’s something ancient and universal about following a light through the dark together,” said arts therapist and storyteller Maxine Bekker, who captivated listeners with tales from San, indigenous American and Russian folklore around the fire.

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For many children, simply being outside after dark felt like an adventure. Marshmallows roasted over open flames inspired lively negotiations between siblings, while grandparents and grandchildren gathered around bowls of soup and mugs of hot chocolate. “My three-year-old daughter wanted to learn to walk in the dark and asked me to hang back so she could walk between the fires in the alley,” shared parent Muhammad Dawjee.

Another parent, Shira Arcus, laughed that her daughter Mila had insisted on a countdown calendar because she asked daily whether Spark! in the Dark was “tomorrow”. Even football fans were catered for, with Bafana Bafana’s match against Czechia projected onto a wall, allowing cheers to mingle with storytelling and music.

More than just a whimsical evening, the event raised funds for the Mimosa Bursary Fund, helping children from diverse economic backgrounds access the school’s unique educational offering.
But perhaps the greatest gift of the night was simpler than that. “We hope families left knowing that magic doesn’t have to travel far to find you,” said Welz. “With fire, light and each other, we can create something that sends everyone home with a little more joy stored up for winter.”

Judging by the glowing lanterns carefully saved by children for next year – ready, as one little voice put it, to make “more pretty light”, Spark! in the Dark may already have become one of Auckland Park’s most enchanting new traditions.

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