Last checked: 3 November 2026
One island, two nations, one big day. On Wednesday 11 November 2026, Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin celebrate St Martin’s Day, the island’s festival of unity. Expect church bells in the morning, wreaths at the Border Monument, a colourful cultural parade, guavaberry toasts and music into the night, all shared between the Dutch and French sides. If you are on the island that week, it is one of the warmest welcomes you’ll get.
See past St Martin’s Day celebrations →
Key facts
| Date | Wednesday 11 November 2026 |
|---|---|
| Location | Island-wide on Sint Maarten (Dutch side) and Saint-Martin (French side). The host side and main venues for 2026 are to be confirmed |
| Public holiday | Yes: St Martin’s Day is an official holiday on the Dutch side, and 11 November is a public holiday on the French side |
| Entry | Public ceremonies and parades are usually free. Check the official pages for the 2026 programme |
| Official pages | Government of Sint Maarten (Facebook, Instagram) · Collectivité de Saint-Martin (Facebook, Instagram) |
What happens on St Martin’s Day
As of 3 November, the full 2026 programme has not been published. The Government of Sint Maarten lists “St. Martin Day Celebration 2026” for 11 November, and the two sides usually take turns hosting the official programme. We’ll update this guide when the schedule is out.
Already confirmed for 2026: the 39th St. Martin Day Around the Island Relay Race, organised by the St. Maarten Road Runners. Teams start at 7am from Bel Air Fitness Center and run anticlockwise around both sides of the island in 11 legs, finishing back at Bel Air. It is a great early-morning spectacle along the roadside.
The rest of the day usually follows a familiar, joyful pattern. In recent years it has included:
- Morning bells and an ecumenical church service.
- Wreath-laying at the Border Monument at Bellevue / Belle Plaine, with the Governor, the Préfet, the Prime Minister and the Collectivité’s leaders side by side.
- Parades: uniformed groups, motorcycle processions and the National Cultural Parade, with traditional wear and music.
- Speeches and a friendship toast, often with guavaberry, the island’s signature liqueur.
- Free afternoon and evening entertainment, with local bands, food stalls and football matches between the two sides.
In 2025 the Dutch side hosted, with the cultural parade ending at the Festival Village in Philipsburg. In 2024 the French side hosted in Quartier d’Orléans (French Quarter), with a parade along the RN7 and a concert at the Thelbert Carti stadium car park.
History and what makes it special
Christopher Columbus is said to have named the island on 11 November 1493, the feast day of St Martin of Tours. In 1648 the French and Dutch signed the Treaty of Concordia on Mont des Accords, dividing the island while allowing free movement across it. It is still in force today and one of the oldest treaties of its kind.
The modern celebration began in 1959, and over the years its focus moved from Columbus to the friendship between North and South. The Unity Flag is raised on both sides, and you’ll hear “O Sweet Saint Martin’s Land”, the island song written by Gerard Kemps in 1958 and shared by both nations. Few places in the world celebrate a border by erasing it for the day, and that’s what makes 11 November here so special.
Watch: past editions
Tips for going
- Expect closures. Government offices, banks and many shops close for the holiday, so stock up the day before.
- Allow extra driving time. Parades and the relay race use main roads, and traffic builds around the venues.
- Wear the colours. Locals dress in the island’s flag colours or traditional wear, and visitors are welcome to join in.
- Try guavaberry and local food at the stalls: johnny cakes, saltfish and grilled meats are usual favourites.
- Bring water, sun protection and comfortable shoes if you plan to follow the parade.
- Check the official Facebook pages on 9–10 November for final times and routes.
Where to stay and getting around
Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on the Dutch side handles most international flights, and Grand Case–Espérance Airport on the French side serves regional routes. Because both sides join in, anywhere on the island works as a base. Browse our St. Maarten hotels, car rentals, airport transfers and taxis and tours and activities, or start with the full St. Maarten directory.
Cars drive on the right. Taxis use an official fare table rather than meters, and local minibuses are a cheap way to hop between towns. US dollars are accepted island-wide, with the euro used on the French side.
FAQ
When is St Martin’s Day 2026? Wednesday 11 November 2026.
Is St Martin’s Day a public holiday? Yes. It is an official holiday on the Dutch side, and 11 November is also a public holiday on the French side.
Which side hosts the 2026 celebration? To be confirmed. The two sides usually alternate; the Dutch side hosted in 2025.
Why is it celebrated on 11 November? It is the feast of St Martin of Tours, the day Columbus is said to have named the island in 1493.
Can visitors join in? Absolutely. The ceremonies, parades and concerts are public, and visitors are made very welcome.
See past St Martin’s Day celebrations →
Staying on for more? The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta 2027 is the island’s next big date, and there is plenty more in our Caribbean Events Calendar.
Sources: Government of Sint Maarten events; SMN News: 39th relay race; Government of Sint Maarten: 2025 programme; The Daily Herald: 2024 programme; St. Maarten Tourist Bureau; Saint-Martin Tourist Office.
