If you live in Estonia and someone knocks on your door on a dark November evening singing “Laske sisse mardisandid!”, do not panic. It is Mardipäev (10 November), or two weeks later, Kadripäev (25 November). Children in costumes go from house to house, sing a song, wish you good luck for the coming year and expect a small treat in return.

Foreigners often call it “Estonian Halloween”. The look is similar, the idea is quite different.

What it actually is

Both days come from the old Estonian folk calendar and marked the end of autumn work and the start of winter. The visitors, called sandid, came to the house to bring good fortune. They wished the family a good harvest, healthy animals and luck for the year ahead. In return, the household gave them food.

So the roles are reversed compared to Halloween. The visitors are not there to scare you. They are there to bless your house, and the treat is your thank-you.

Mardipäev vs. Kadripäev

• Mardipäev, 10 November. Darker, scruffier costumes: old coats worn inside out, fake beards, masks. Traditionally boys and men.
• Kadripäev, 25 November. Light or white costumes: white shirts, headscarves, rosy cheeks. Traditionally girls and women.

Today most families do not follow these rules strictly, and children wear whatever is to hand.

What happens at the door

1. The children knock and sing to be let in. If you open the door, they come into the hallway.
2. They sing a song, say a short verse or do a little dance.
3. They wish you luck for the coming year.
4. You give them something, they thank you and move on to the next house.

You do not need to know the songs. Just smile, listen and have something ready.

What to have ready

• mandarins or apples
• gingerbread or biscuits
• small wrapped sweets

Not taking visitors? Turn off your outdoor light. Everyone understands.

If your child is joining in

If your child goes to an Estonian kindergarten or school, they will probably learn the songs there. Costumes are homemade: an old coat inside out and a charcoal moustache for Mardipäev, a white shirt and a headscarf for Kadripäev. If you want a few extras, we stock masks, wigs and party bits in our shop. [TODO: confirm masks/wigs are in the category.]

Mart and Kadri also celebrate their name days on these dates. Read more about name days in Estonia and Latvia, or see all the important dates in our Estonian gifting calendar. The Estonian version of this post includes the traditional verses.

Frequently asked questions

What is Mardipäev?

Mardipäev (St Martin's Day) is an Estonian folk holiday on 10 November. Children dress up as "mardisandid", go door to door, sing songs, wish the household good luck and receive treats.

What is Kadripäev?

Kadripäev (St Catherine's Day) is on 25 November. It works like Mardipäev, but the costumes are traditionally light-coloured or white, and the old wishes were about luck with sheep and cattle.

Is Mardipäev the same as Halloween?

No. They look similar from the outside, but Mardipäev is an old Estonian harvest-end tradition. The visitors bring good luck to the house in exchange for food. It is not about ghosts or scaring people.

What should I give children on Mardipäev?

Sweets, mandarins, apples, gingerbread or small biscuits are all normal. Traditionally people gave nuts, bread and cake.

How do I avoid trick-or-treaters on Mardipäev?

Switch off your outdoor light. In Estonia that is widely understood as a sign that the house is not receiving visitors that evening.