Sint-Maarten is a lantern-and-song tradition celebrated on 11 November, especially in Noord-Holland, Utrecht, and parts of Friesland. As darkness falls, children carry homemade or paper lanterns door to door and sing traditional Sint-Maarten songs in exchange for sweets — a Dutch version of trick-or-treating with a warmer, more communal feel. Amsterdam hosts a children's lantern parade in Vondelpark in the evening. If you have young children, pick up a lampion (lantern on a stick) from any supermarket, learn a song or two, and join the neighbourhood rounds. Householders who leave their lights on are signalling that they are giving out treats.