St. Martin's Day: Culinary tradition with goose and history is celebrating a revival!

St. Martin's Day: Culinary tradition with goose and history is celebrating a revival!

On November 11, 2025, St. Martin's Day will be celebrated in many regions of the world, a feast day that goes back to St. Martin of Tours. He is considered one of the most important figures in Christianity and is particularly revered in Germany and other European countries. Martin of Tours was buried on November 11, 397, making this day a prominent event in the church calendar. Originally, St. Martin's Day also marked the end of the farming working year and began the pre-Christmas Lent in Eastern Christianity.

Traditionally, a feast is held on St. Martin's Day, where goose is often served. These customs have been preserved over the centuries and are partly due to the legend that St. Martin hid in a goose pen to avoid his appointment as bishop. However, the chattering of the geese gave him away. Historians have noted that the connection between goose and St. Martin's Day was originally practical, as geese were slaughtered at the end of the agricultural year.

customs and traditions

The customs surrounding St. Martin's Day are diverse. In many German and Dutch cities, children take part in lantern parades (Lanternelaufen), which are often led by a rider representing St. Martin. These parades often end with a large St. Martin's Day bonfire, known in many regions as Funkentag. In addition, the first wine of the year is tasted, which gives the festival its own charm - especially in wine-growing regions.

A typical St. Martin's Day meal is St. Martin's goose, which is often served with red cabbage and dumplings. In recent years the trend towards regional organic pastured geese has increased. The tradition of eating goose is not only a culinary one, but also an expression of history and culture.

Celebrations in Europe

St. Martin's Day has different meanings in different countries. In Austria, for example, the Martiniloben celebration marks the end of the wine year with wine tastings and art events. In Poland, however, special croissants filled with almond paste are baked on this day. In Sweden it is customary to have a goose dinner on St. Martin's Day, while in Portugal the day is celebrated with the aging of wine and roasted chestnuts. Children in Ireland and Latvia also have their own unique traditions that mark this day.

Overall, St. Martin's Day is not only a celebratory occasion but also an opportunity to strengthen the community. Often donations are collected and local charitable developments are promoted. Through the interplay of tradition, cuisine and community spirit, St. Martin's Day remains an important part of cultural life in many countries.