St. Martin Public Holidays 2025
St. Martin has 12 public holidays and 2 observances in 2025. Explore the full holiday calendar below.
All Holidays
| Date | Day | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Wed | New Year's Day | public |
| 21 Apr | Mon | Easter Monday | public |
| 1 May | Thu | Labour Day | public |
| 8 May | Thu | Victory Day | public |
| 25 May | Sun | Mother's Day | observance |
| 27 May | Tue | abolition of slavery | public |
| 29 May | Thu | Ascension Day | public |
| 8 Jun | Sun | Pentecost | observance |
| 9 Jun | Mon | Whit Monday | public |
| 14 Jul | Mon | Bastille Day | public |
| 15 Aug | Fri | Assumption | public |
| 1 Nov | Sat | All Saints' Day | public |
| 11 Nov | Tue | Armistice Day | public |
| 25 Dec | Thu | Christmas Day | public |
About St. Martin's Holidays
St. Martin follows French national and public holidays but adds strong local culture. People observe official days like Labour Day and Bastille Day while mixing island music, food, and beach life into the celebrations.
Carnival and pre Lent parties are the biggest local events. They bring colorful parades, dances, and loud music across towns. These festivals draw families and visitors and last several days to weeks.
Religious holidays such as Easter and Christmas are marked with church services and family meals. National remembrance days and saints days are observed more quietly with ceremonies and moments of respect.
Throughout the year there are beach parties, live music, food markets, and sailing regattas that show the island spirit. These blend French formality with Caribbean fun.
Holiday Traditions
On St. Martin people mix French Caribbean and Creole ways. Holidays feel lively with music, drums, and colorful costumes. Parades and street parties bring neighbors together. Local bands play calypso and zouk that make everyone dance.
Families cook and share big meals at home. Dishes often include fish, goat stew, rice, beans, and plantains. Sweet pastries and tropical fruits finish the meal. Eating together is about love, stories, and passing recipes down to kids.
Public celebrations happen in towns and beaches. Markets, craft stalls, and fireworks add color. People greet visitors warmly and invite them to join singing and dancing. The island’s holiday spirit mixes faith, history, and joyful community life.
Travel Tips
St. Martin gets very busy during the holiday season, especially late December to early January. Many shops and some restaurants may close on public holidays and Sundays. Museums, government offices, and banks often shut for several days around big holidays.
Transportation sees higher demand. Flights and ferries fill up fast and fares can rise. Taxis are harder to find and buses run on limited schedules. Car rentals sell out quickly, so reserve early and allow extra time for arrivals and departures.
Plan ahead. Book flights, ferries, and hotels early. Check opening hours and local holiday dates. Bring some cash, confirm transfers, buy travel insurance, and expect festive events, crowds, and louder nightlife during peak days.