Sint-Maarten 2026: lantern processions on 11 November

Sint-Maarten falls on Wednesday 11 November 2026. After dark, children walk door to door with paper lanterns, singing short songs in exchange for sweets or fruit. How strongly the tradition lives varies by town and region, but where it does, doorbells start ringing in the early evening.

Why it matters

The Sint-Maarten celebration in Utrecht, with children going door to door with paper lanterns on the evening of 11 November, is listed on the Inventaris Immaterieel Erfgoed Nederland, the national inventory of intangible heritage maintained by the Kenniscentrum Immaterieel Erfgoed Nederland. That listing anchors the tradition’s official recognition in Utrecht.

The Utrecht parade

Utrecht’s flagship public event, the Sint Maarten Parade, takes place on Saturday 7 November 2026 from 18:00 to 21:00, its 15th edition, themed de Kunst van het Delen (the art of sharing). The format is reversed this year: instead of watching a procession pass, the public walks a route past light installations at locations in the city centre. The organiser, Sharing Arts Society, links the jubilee edition to 200 years of Domplein and 390 years of Utrecht University, and publishes the route on sintmaartenparade.nl closer to the date.

Practical information

11 November is not an official public holiday; schools, shops and offices run as normal. If you live in an area where children walk, a small stock of sweets or fruit by the door on the evening of 11 November is the practical preparation.

Common questions

Is Sint-Maarten a public holiday?

No. 11 November is absent from the government’s official holiday list; everything runs as normal.

When do children come to the door?

On the evening of 11 November, after dark. Children sing a song and receive sweets or fruit in return.

What is the Sint Maarten Parade?

Utrecht’s public light event around the tradition. In 2026 it is on Saturday 7 November from 18:00 to 21:00, and the public walks a route past light installations rather than watching a procession.

Is the parade free to attend?

The organiser had not published admission details for 2026 at the time of checking; check sintmaartenparade.nl for the route and practical information.

Do I have to take part?

No, and customs differ per neighbourhood. Leaving the doorbell unanswered simply sends the singers on to the next house.