St Martin's Day in Malta: Nuts, Fruit and an Old Autumn Custom

Some Maltese customs are loud, with bands and fireworks. Others are small enough to miss unless you are looking. St Martin's Day, on 11 November, is firmly in the second camp.

In short: St Martin's Day, on 11 November, is traditionally marked in Malta with bags of nuts and seasonal fruit, particularly for children, and is linked to the autumn and the new wine. It is not a public holiday, so shops and offices stay open, but you may spot the tradition in bakeries and greengrocers.

The custom

Traditionally, children are given a bag of nuts and fruit, often walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds and mandarins, to mark the day. The custom is tied to the turn of the agricultural year, and it reflects a season when the harvest was in and the new wine was ready.

How to notice it

Look at what greengrocers and bakeries are selling in the days around 11 November. If you are keen on this sort of detail, our guides to Jum il-Vitorja and Independence Day in Malta show how the Maltese calendar layers old and new.

Frequently asked questions

Is St Martin's Day a public holiday in Malta?

No. It falls on 11 November and is a traditional observance, not one of Malta's public holidays.

What do people eat on St Martin's Day in Malta?

Traditionally bags of nuts and fruit, such as walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds and mandarins, particularly for children.

Does anything close on 11 November in Malta?

No. Shops, offices and public transport operate as normal.

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