I visited Germany in November a few years ago and was delighted to experience my first St Martin’s Tag (St.Martin’s Day Germany). Kids were out in the neighborhood after dark (which comes VERY EARLY in Nord-Rhine Westfalen in November) on November 11, carrying lanterns on poles and singing as they walked down the street.
Lantern Statue in Bad Homburg
What is St Martin’s Day?
On November 11, the life of St.Martin of Tours is celebrated in Catholic regions in Germany with processions, bonfires, and a feast. (Like many “fun” holidays, this tradition has spread to Protestant regions as well.)
Children make paper lanterns, fasten them to sticks, and walk the neighborhoods singing songs. Often, they are led by someone dressed in a St Martin outfit, which looks very much like a Roman Soldier carrying a sword. The procession ends at a bonfire with more singing and delicious food. Some children will then go door to door collecting treats like candy or money as a reward for their singing and beautiful lanterns (a bit like trick-or-treating in the US).
Children in a St Martin’s day parade with St Martin on a horse… Bundesarchiv, Bild 194-0273-45
Who was St Martin?
St Martin of Tours is best known for the story of how he cut his cloak in half during a snowstorm to share with a beggar (in images of St Martin, he’s usually holding a sword). He started out as a Roman Soldier, but after finding Christianity, he was baptized. His faith and modesty impressed Church Leaders so much that they made him the Bishop of Tours. After his death, he was canonized and made the Patron Saint of Modesty and Altruism.
St Martin of Tours is best known for the story of how he cut his cloak in half during a snowstorm, to share it with a beggar (in images of St Martin, he’s usually holding a sword). He started out as a Roman Soldier, but then found Christianity, and was baptized. His faith and modesty impressed Church Leaders so much; they made him the Bishop of Tours. After his death, he was canonized, and made the Patron Saint of Modesty and Altruism.
According to legend, he didn’t want the job of Bishop, so he hid from the people of Tours in a barn full of Geese. The Geese honked and gave him away. Today, the traditional St Martin’s Day meal is Roast Goose. (Let that be a lesson!)
You Can Celebrate St. Martin’s Day
All you need is a Lantern and some songs.… throw in a bonfire and some wonderful German good, and it’s a party!
Home Made Lanterns for St Martin’s Day Germany
I’ve linked some CD’s for songs, and some you tube videos below…
Where to Buy St Martin’s Day Lanterns
Unicorn Lantern with electric Lantern StickGermanShop24
Der Kleine Maulwurf LanternGermanShop24Frozen LanternGermanShop24Mermaid LanternGermanShop24Horse LanternGermanShop24Paw Patrol LanternGermanShop24
Lighted Lantern Sticks
These sticks have built in lights to keep your lantern safe… no flames!
Lighted Lantern SticksGermanShop24
Build Your Own St. Martin’s Day Lantern
Instruction Books from Germany
Meine erste Laterne: Extra stabil und einfach zu bastelnAMAZON.DELaternen basteln mit Kindern: Einfache Modelle leuchtend schönAMAZON.DE
English Instructions
http://www.ukgermanconnection.org/kids-make-lantern
German Instructions
http://www.kidsweb.de/basteln/laterne.htm
http://www.familie.de/diy/st-martin-laterne-selber-basteln-540299.html
Lantern Kits
Digital downloads with patterns to create beautiful lanterns. The downloaded files contain patterns, directions, and materials lists.
Fox lantern craft template/SVG/individual parts for construction paperDeer lantern/craft template/SVG/individual parts for construction paper fawn
Dino lantern craft template/SVG/individual parts for construction paper
Tractor lantern with front loader craft instructions
St Martin’s Day Food
round the Bonfire, people eat sweet pastries and drink warm beverages like Cocoa and Glühwein. At home, Roast Goose is popular. Looking for a Roast Goose Recipe?
Some children are lucky enough to receive a Weckmann (or Stutenkerl) on St Martin’s Day, Germany. This is a sweet bread roll shaped into a man with raisin eyes and a white clay pipe in his mouth, sold at any bakery or made at home by mom. (My mother tells me that she and her friends would then sneak around smoking with the clay pipe).
Follow this link to make your own Weckmann/ Stutenkerl
Roast Goose is a traditional meal on St Martin’s Day… but around the bonfire, a nice Bratwurst in a Broetchen is perfect.
Glühwein for the parents… and Hot Cocoa or Non-Alcoholic Warm Christmassy Punch for the Kids…. to keep everyone warm on a cold night.
St Martin’s Day Songs
Ein Bisschen so wie Martin is a book with CD… perfect for learning to sing along.
St. Martin: Lantern SongsEin bisschen so wie Martin: 22 Lieder zu Laternenfest und Sankt Martin (German Edition)
Laterne Laterne
Laterne, Laterne, Sonne, Mond und Sterne.
Brenne auf, mein Licht, brenne auf, mein Licht,
aber nur meine liebe Laterne nicht.
Laterne, Laterne, Sonne, Mond und Sterne.
Sperrt ihn ein den Wind, sperrt ihn ein den Wind,
er soll warten bis wir zu Hause Sind.
Ich geh’ mit meine Laterne
Ich geh‘ mit meiner Laterne
Und meine Laterne mit mir.
Dort oben leuchten die Sternen,
und unten, da leuchten wir.
Mein Licht ist aus,
ich geh’ nach Haus,
rabimmel, rabammel, rabum.
And When it’s Time to Go Home…
Mein Licht ist aus,
ich geh’ nach Haus,
rabimmel, rabammel, rabum.
Want to Learn More About Celebrating St Martin’s Day?
This Book by Conrad Bladey is loaded with information. You can find it as a Paperback, but it’s cheaper if you download it for Kindle (remember, you don’t need to have a Kindle, you just need the app on your computer or device.
See the Massive St Martins Celebration in Buschdorf

Weckmann auch Stutenkerl genannt in Westfahlen.
Ich machte auch Stutenkerle zum Nikolaustag,Dezember 6,
Haben Sie vielleicht ein Rezept das Ich probieren kann? (Fur veniger als 200 Kerle…) =)
Ja genau. Wir liebten frische Weckmännerit Rosinen Augen. War tolle Kindheit!
What a lovely blog post! I’m so happy to learn about St Martin’s Day in Germany. I’ve always loved the story of St. Martin and his dragon, so this holiday is especially special to me. I’m looking forward to
will you walk with your lantern?
I‘m sorry having to hint,
the guy slaying the dragon
was St. George!
😉
true… St Martin used his sword to cut up coats…
I attended Kindergarten at St. Martin of Tours parish in St. Louis, MO. I am so happy to learn about St. Martin’s Day. Thank you Karen!
Thank you!
Hello everyone. I never heard of St Martin Day. Interesting story. There are no small children in my life. All my Christmas decoration comes from Germany. I use them every year. Reminds me of my Christmases in Germany. I would never atemted to cook a goose. Personally I don’t care for Goose. I also know that my children wouldn’t eat it either. My neighbor made one for Christmas and Invited us. I knew I wouldn’t like it, but didn’t want to be rude. I forced some Goose down. From now on I will decline any inventions. Gosh that thing was greasy. I totally disliked it. But I was brought up to always be polite. I’m a typical German. I will say what I think. But I kept my mouth shut, because the invite came from my girlfriend. Month later I told her the truth. Told her, please don’t invite me any more, I disliked that Goose. My children nor my husband wouldn’t eat it either. Had to apologize for them. Thank God they understood, and were still friends. I’m a very outspoken person and will say what’s on my mind. I never sugar coated anything. The friends that I have got used to my ways. But I’m staying home this Christmas. I have some redneck friends, and it’s hard what the serve. It might be Raccoon, or wild Turkey. That is also something I won’t eat. No wild life. Happy St Martin Day to everyone that celebrates it.
Love learning about St Martin’s Day celebrations in Germany! As a fellow German-American, I’ve always been fascinated by the unique traditions and customs of my heritage. Can’t wait to try some of these ideas with my family this year 🍁🎉
Lanterns and goose!
My mom grew up in Ostfriesland – Lower Saxony – and told about “Martini”. She was Lutheran as were most of the people in her town.They had the lanterns like you described and sang songs. However, she said that it was called Martini because of Martin Luther. And I think it happened on Reformation Day, closer to our halloween. I wish I’d asked more details when she was alive!
I hear you… I wish I had asked more too
What a delightful read! I love how you captured the essence of St. Martin’s Day in Germany. The lantern processions sound so enchanting, and I can’t wait to try making a traditional goose dish this year. Thanks for sharing such insightful details about the celebrations!