St Nicholas Day 2024: Date, history and significance of the day

With the much-awaited festival of Christmas drawing close, and crispness of winter air settling in, a much beloved festival for children and adults is arriving on December 6, which is known as St. Nicholas Day. The legend of St Nicholas, known for his kindness, compassion and devotion, has been passed on through generations. The feast day has roots in Europe, Germany and Austria, while it's relatively less popular in United States. Much like Christmas, for children, St Nicholas Day on December 6 is a magical occasion filled with anticipation, treats, and fun traditions. In the morning, small gifts and treats are kept for children who behave well, while those who have been naughty may receive lumps of coal, potatoes, or sticks. However, this tradition is often followed playfully.
St Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century bishop in the Roman Empire, was renowned for his kindness, generosity and compassion. Children and poor especially held a special place in his heart. He was known to work towards their betterment. It is said that he saved three impoverished girls from a grim fate by secretly tossing gold nuggets into their home to ensure they could afford their marriage dowries. This story inspired the custom of gift-giving on St. Nicholas Day and also the tradition of leaving shoes, stockings, or plates out for treats.

The feast day commemorates the death of St. Nicholas on December 6, 343 A.D. A centuries-old festival, it is especially celebrated with much enthusiasm in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and other parts of Europe. Many people start the celebrations on the evening of December 5, known as St. Nicholas Eve.
Children awake to discover small gifts such as oranges, chocolate coins, and candy canes in their shoes or stockings, while special cookies and sweets are prepared in honor of the day. Children also write letters to St. Nicholas, and keep carrots or hay for his horse or donkey.


The modern-day Santa Claus may have evolved from St. Nicholas. In the Netherlands, St Nicholas started to known as Sinterklaas. Dutch settlers carried the tradition to the American colonies, where it evolved into Santa Claus. His image merged with Nordic and European folklore, transforming into the jolly, gift-giving character we associate with Christmas today.
Despite this evolution, St. Nicholas Day remains distinct in many countries. In Belgium and the Netherlands, Sinterklaasfest on December 6 is a major holiday, complete with parades and gift exchanges. In parts of Germany and France, figures like Knecht Ruprecht and Père Fouettard accompany St. Nicholas, rewarding well-behaved children and chastising the naughty.
In Germany and Austria, some villages still embrace the folklore of Krampus, a devilish companion of St. Nicholas who scares misbehaving children. Meanwhile, in the US, German and Dutch communities keep the traditions alive. Cities like Milwaukee, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh host festivities ranging from Christmas markets to storytelling bonfires. In Pennsylvania’s Mifflinburg, a three-day German-style Christmas market honors the holiday with festive food, gifts, and decorations.