Saint Martin (Sint Maarten) is celebrated on 11 November in various places in the country. Children walk past the doors with lanterns - similar to Germany - sing and receive sweets or fruit. St. Martin's Day is not a public holiday, but is special in honour of Martin of Tours. There are various theories about the origin of this day and the customs.

Sint Maarten is a celebration held every year on 11 November in the Netherlands, Flanders, northern France and parts of Germany. Each region has its traditions. Saint Martin is celebrated in the provinces of Noord-Holland and Limburg but much less so in the areas of Friesland and Noord-Brabant. St. Martin's processions are often held over a weekend.

The tradition is that children with lanterns pass by the doors and sing songs, after which they are rewarded with sweets. In many songs, little attention is paid to the religious background. The songs often have a humorous character and parodic or satirical lyrics are added to the repertoire yearly. Other traditions are the lighting of bonfires and the organisation of St. Martin's parades. Children make lanterns or entire light installations in kindergartens (kinderdagverblijven) and schools. In Utrecht, where Saint Martin is the patron saint, a Saint Martin Foundation was set up to promote Utrecht as a Saint Martin city.

Incidentally, the date itself is derived from the burial of Bishop Martin of Tours on 11 November 397. It is, therefore, the name day of Martin of Tours and is also called Sint-Martinus, Sinte-Marten, Sinter Merte or Sinte-Mette in the Netherlands.