Sint-Maarten

Sint-Maarten is a Dutch children’s tradition celebrated on 11 November.

In the evening, children walk through the streets with lanterns. They go from door to door, sing a short Sint-Maarten song and receive sweets, fruit or sometimes a small coin.

It is one of the most charming local traditions in the Netherlands. It is simple, seasonal and mostly for children.

But it is not celebrated everywhere. In some Dutch towns, Sint-Maarten is a big neighbourhood event. In other places, nothing happens at all.

When is Sint-Maarten?

Sint-Maarten is always on 11 November.

The tradition takes place in the evening, after it gets dark. Children carry paper lanterns, often made at school or daycare.

Because November evenings are cold and dark in the Netherlands, the lanterns are part of the atmosphere. The light is the point.

In 2026, Sint-Maarten falls on Wednesday 11 November.

Is Sint-Maarten a public holiday?

No. Sint-Maarten is not a public holiday in the Netherlands.

Schools, offices, shops and public transport usually follow normal schedules. The celebration happens in the evening and is mainly local.

This is important because the name can be confusing. Sint Maarten is also the name of a Caribbean country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, where 11 November has a different public meaning. But in the European Netherlands, Sint-Maarten is not a national day off.

Who was Saint Martin?

Sint-Maarten refers to Saint Martin of Tours, a 4th-century Christian saint.

The best-known story says that Martin saw a poor man in the cold and cut his cloak in half to share it with him. Because of that story, Saint Martin became associated with kindness, charity and sharing.

The modern Dutch children’s tradition is much lighter than the religious story. But the idea of sharing is still present: children sing, neighbours give sweets and the neighbourhood takes part.

What happens on Sint-Maarten?

The basic tradition is easy to understand.

Children make or carry lanterns. They walk in small groups, often with parents. They ring doorbells, sing a Sint-Maarten song and receive something small.

The Dutch Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage describes the Utrecht tradition as children going door to door with paper lanterns on the evening of 11 November. In exchange for singing a Saint Martin song, they hope to receive sweets, fruit or money.

The songs are usually short and repetitive. Children often learn them at school.

A typical evening lasts one or two hours. After that, children go home and compare their sweets.

Where is Sint-Maarten celebrated?

Sint-Maarten is regional.

It is especially visible in parts of Noord-Holland, Utrecht, Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe, Limburg and some other local areas. The exact pattern can differ from town to town.

I am Expat notes that Sint-Maarten is not as popular everywhere as it once was, but remains important in parts of the Netherlands, especially Limburg and North Holland.

In Utrecht, Sint-Maarten is a recognised local tradition. In Groningen, it is also well known. In Amsterdam, it depends strongly on the neighbourhood and school.

If you are new to the Netherlands, ask local parents or your child’s school. They will know whether Sint-Maarten is celebrated in your area.

Sint-Maarten in Utrecht

Utrecht has one of the strongest Sint-Maarten traditions in the Netherlands.

The city has lantern walks, children’s activities and local celebrations. Some neighbourhoods also organise bonfires, music or community events.

The official intangible heritage description for Utrecht highlights Saint Martin singing as the best-known part of the celebration. Children carry lanterns and sing from door to door on 11 November.

Because Saint Martin is also the patron saint of Utrecht, the tradition has a special local meaning there.

Is Sint-Maarten like Halloween?

Not really.

There are similarities. Children go door to door. They receive sweets. It happens in autumn, after dark.

But the feeling is different. Sint-Maarten is not about costumes, fear, pumpkins or trick-or-treating. The central symbol is the lantern, not the costume. Children sing songs instead of saying “trick or treat”.

Halloween has become more visible in the Netherlands in recent years, but Sint-Maarten is older and more local.

A simple way to understand it:

• Halloween is costumes and spooky themes.
• Sint-Maarten is lanterns and songs.

Sint-Maarten vs Sinterklaas

Sint-Maarten and Sinterklaas are often close together in the Dutch calendar, but they are different traditions.

Sint-Maarten is on 11 November. Children walk with lanterns, sing songs and receive sweets.

Sinterklaas begins later in November with the Sinterklaas arrival and ends with pakjesavond on 5 December. It is about presents, poems, shoes, sweets and Saint Nicholas.

Sint-Maarten is smaller and more local. Sinterklaas is national and much bigger.

Sint-Maarten vs Three Kings’ Day

Sint-Maarten also looks a little like Three Kings’ Day, or Driekoningen.

On both days, children may go door to door and sing. But the stories are different.

Sint-Maarten is linked to Saint Martin and takes place on 11 November.

Three Kings’ Day is linked to the three wise men and takes place on 6 January.

In practice, Sint-Maarten is more common than Three Kings’ singing in many Dutch areas, but both traditions are regional.

What should you do if children come to your door?

If Sint-Maarten is celebrated in your neighbourhood, keep some sweets ready.

Children usually sing a short song. After the song, you give them a small treat. Individually wrapped sweets are easiest. Fruit is more traditional, but sweets are more popular with children.

You do not need to give a lot. A small piece of candy is enough.

If you do not want to participate, keep your lights off or do not answer the door. In many neighbourhoods, a lit entrance or window can signal that children are welcome.

Tips for families

• Check whether Sint-Maarten is celebrated in your area before promising children a big evening.
• Make or buy a safe lantern. Battery-powered lights are easier and safer than candles.
• Go in a small group. Young children should always be accompanied by an adult.
• Practice one or two songs before leaving home.
• Dress warmly. November evenings can be cold, wet and windy.
• Respect houses that do not participate.
• Finish early. Sint-Maarten is usually an early evening children’s tradition, not a late-night event.

Is Sint-Maarten worth knowing about?

Yes, especially if you live in a neighbourhood where it is still celebrated.

Sint-Maarten is one of those Dutch traditions that can feel invisible until children suddenly appear at your door with lanterns.

It is not a national spectacle. It is small, local and warm. That is why people like it.

For children, it is magical: darkness, lanterns, songs and sweets.

For adults, it is a reminder that Dutch traditions are not only national holidays. Some of the best ones happen at neighbourhood level.

Frequently asked questions