Saint Nicholas Day (December 6): History, Traditions, and Fun Facts

What Is Saint Nicholas Day?

Falling each year on December 6, Saint Nicholas Day commemorates Saint Nicholas of Myra, a 4th‑century bishop known for quiet generosity and steadfast faith. Across Europe and beyond, children polish shoes and place them by doors or windows on the evening of December 5, hoping to find small gifts, fruit, nuts, and chocolate coins by morning. While many now associate gift‑giving with Christmas, the older tradition centers on this feast, keeping the focus on charity and kindness.

Today, families, churches, and communities mark the date with lighthearted customs and thoughtful acts of service. The day blends history, faith, folklore, and fun—proof that generosity never goes out of season.

Historical Roots and Evolution

The Bishop of Myra

Saint Nicholas (c. 270–343 CE) served as bishop in Myra, a port city in Lycia (modern Demre, Turkey). His legacy includes legendary generosity—famously providing dowries for three sisters by secretly tossing bags of gold through a window, which later inspired the tradition of coins and oranges in children’s shoes. Nicholas is also remembered as a protector of sailors, merchants, and children, and is said to have attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE.

Relics and Pilgrimage

In 1087, sailors transported Nicholas’s relics from Myra to Bari, Italy, where they remain a focus of devotion. Pilgrims have visited Bari for centuries, fostering a network of stories, hymns, and artworks that carried the saint’s reputation across the Mediterranean and into Northern Europe.

From Saint to Seasonal Figure

As customs traveled, they evolved. In the Low Countries, Sinterklaas arrived by boat and visited homes in early December. In German‑speaking lands, Nikolaus knocks on doors with a companion—sometimes the kindly Knecht Ruprecht or the fearsome Krampus—on December 5 (Krampusnacht) with gifts appearing on December 6. Dutch settlers later brought the Sinterklaas tradition to North America, where it mixed with local customs and literature (including the 1823 poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas”) to shape the more secular Santa Claus figure associated with December 25. Even so, many communities still keep the original Saint Nicholas Day celebration distinct.

Traditions Around the World

• Netherlands and Belgium (Sinterklaas): Children leave shoes by the hearth or door, sometimes with a carrot for the saint’s horse. Morning reveals chocolate letters, marzipan, spiced cookies (speculaas), and small toys.
• Germany and Austria (Nikolaustag): Kids clean their boots and set them out on December 5. Saint Nicholas may visit schools or homes, reading from a golden book of virtues and leaving nuts, oranges, and Lebkuchen.
• Czech Republic and Slovakia (Mikuláš): Saint Nicholas appears with an angel and a devil on December 5, praising good behavior and offering treats, while the devil playfully reminds children to do better.
• Poland (Mikołajki) and Hungary (Mikulás): Shoe‑stuffing traditions are popular, often with chocolate coins symbolizing the saint’s hidden gifts, plus seasonal candies and small books.
• Italy: In Bari, processions and church services honor the relics. In northern regions, local variations include sweets and small presents for children.
• Greece and coastal communities: As patron of sailors, Saint Nicholas is honored with blessings for safe voyages; harbors may display flags and hold liturgies on December 6.
• Eastern Christian churches: Where the Julian calendar is used (e.g., parts of Ukraine, Serbia, and Russia), the feast is celebrated on December 19 (Gregorian), preserving a similar spirit and many of the same customs.

Symbols, Meanings, and Fun Facts

• Chocolate coins and oranges: Coins echo the hidden dowries; oranges recall gold balls from the legend and add a bright winter treat.
• The bishop’s attire: Mitre and crozier highlight Nicholas’s role as bishop; some communities present pageants with a robed figure teaching generosity.
• Shoes by the door: Polished shoes symbolize readiness and respect—plus, they make convenient little “stockings.”
• Patronages: Nicholas is patron of children, sailors, merchants, pawnbrokers, and students—explaining his broad appeal across professions and ports.
• Story to share: The best‑known tale of secret charity invites families to practice gift‑giving with humility and care.

How to Celebrate Today

Looking for a warm, meaningful celebration? Here are ways to bring the day to life at home, in classrooms, or with your community:

• Shoes and surprises: On the evening of December 5, set out polished shoes; fill them with clementines, walnuts, and a few chocolate coins.
• Acts of kindness: Honor the saint’s history by donating to a food bank, paying off a small school lunch debt, or leaving a secret gift for a neighbor.
• Festive baking: Bake speculaas, gingerbread, or spiced cakes. Add orange zest or cardamom to nod to Mediterranean roots.
• Story time: Read age‑appropriate tales about Saint Nicholas’s generosity, then invite children to plan a small act of giving this week.
• Community gathering: Host a simple celebration with seasonal songs, a “mitre‑making” craft, and a collection drive for winter clothing.
• Sustainable gifting: Emphasize thoughtful, modest presents; choose durable toys, books, or experiences over excess packaging.

Worldwide Observance and Dates

While Western churches observe the feast on December 6, many Eastern Orthodox communities using the Julian calendar mark it on December 19 (Gregorian). Migrant and diaspora communities often keep the tradition alive with school programs, parish events, and family gatherings, even where the day is not a public holiday. This flexible, family‑friendly celebration keeps the focus on generosity rather than extravagance.

In some countries, December 6 coincides with other civic anniversaries or national observances, but the essence of the feast remains the same: honoring a legacy of quiet service. Wherever you are, the day offers an accessible invitation to blend history, celebration, and charity.

Why It Endures

At heart, Saint Nicholas is a model of practical compassion. The stories associated with him are simple enough for children, yet deep enough to inspire adults—meeting material needs without fanfare, defending the vulnerable, and pointing to hope in the dark of winter. Whether you’re new to the custom or reviving an old one, Saint Nicholas Day is a timely reminder that the best gifts often arrive quietly.