SAINT MARTIN'S PARTY 2025

St. Martin’s Day in Prague: Wine, Feasts, and the Arrival of Winter

As the Czech saying goes, “On St. Martin’s Day, the first snow arrives.” Every year around November 11th, Czechs celebrate the feast of St. Martin, marking the arrival of young wine and the beginning of winter.

St. Martin’s Day celebrates St. Martin of Tours, one of the most beloved saints in Europe. Originally a Roman soldier, Martin became known for his compassion — according to legend, he once cut his military cloak in half to share it with a freezing beggar during a snowstorm. That night, he dreamed that the beggar was Christ himself, which inspired him to devote his life to faith and charity.

Later, when people wanted to make him a bishop, Martin felt unworthy and tried to hide — but the geese betrayed his hiding place with their loud honking! Since then, roast goose has become a traditional dish served on St. Martin’s Day, symbolizing both the story and the abundance of the harvest season. In Central Europe, people also say that “St. Martin arrives on a white horse,” meaning that his day brings the first snow and marks the beginning of winter.

Today, his feast is celebrated with good food, young wine (the first of the season), and a spirit of kindness and generosity, honoring the man who shared his cloak — and his heart — with those in need.

St.Martin's procession on the Charles Bridge on 11th of November at 11:11

In Prague, this day is brought to life through festive parades and local traditions. From the 11th pillar of Charles Bridge, the procession of St. Martin sets out — symbolizing his arrival on a white horse, a nod to the first snowflakes of winter. The parade features eleven geese, led by eleven goose herders, followed by St. Martin himself dressed as a Roman soldier. Behind him comes a horse-drawn wagon full of snow and a unit of Roman soldiers, crossing the Charles Bridge toward Křižovnické Square, where the first snow of the season is ceremoniously handed over to the mayor of Prague. 

How Czechs Celebrate?

In the Czech Republic, St. Martin’s Day (Svatomartinské slavnosti) is all about delicious roasted goose, dumplings, and red cabbage — washed down with the first bottles of Svatomartinské wine (like Beaujolais nouveau), a young red or white wine from the year’s harvest. Many cities host festive wine markets, and restaurants across the country serve special goose menus just for this occasion. We recommend that you join the celebration and try the crispy, delicious roast goose with sauerkraut and bread or potato dumplings — sometimes served with dried apples, called křížaly in Czech. Don’t forget to check out our other article about where to enjoy the best Czech cuisine around Hostel ELF and across Prague!

Join our St.Martin's party at ELF!

We love keeping Czech traditions alive — so we’re throwing our very own St. Martin’s Party here at Hostel ELF on Saturday, November 15th! 🇨🇿✨

Instead of the traditional roast goose (because we like to keep things simple, fun, and budget-friendly), we’ll be roasting juicy chickens right here at the hostel and serving them with red wine or mulled wine to toast the occasion. 🍗🍷🔥 Expect a warm, cozy vibe, friendly faces from all around the world, and plenty of delicious food straight from the oven.  Our amazing volunteer Neela from Finland will be helping to prepare this homemade feast — so you can look forward to that extra touch of love and care that makes ELF dinners so special.

This is the perfect way to dive into a true Czech tradition without leaving the comfort of the hostel. So come hungry, bring your hostel crew, and celebrate like a local — with good food, good wine, and even better company. Let’s raise a glass to St. Martin, to new friendships, and to the cozy winter nights ahead!