160 saved#1,344 of 6,224

St. Nicholas Day

Experience the joy of St. Nicholas Day - share the spirit of giving with family and friends through festive activities, treats, and gifts!

Sunday

December 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

Have an update or spot an error?

YEARLY DATEDecember 6

OBSERVED INInternationally

CATEGORYReligion

SUBCATEGORYChristian

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Celebrate the joy of giving on December 6th with St. Nicholas Day! This special day originated in Europe centuries ago and is now celebrated all over the world. It honors Saint Nicholas, a Christian Bishop who had a reputation for secret gift-giving and generosity. Every year, people exchange gifts and treats to honor the spirit of Saint Nicholas, spreading joy and goodwill around them. So grab your loved ones, get creative with your presents, and have some fun celebrating this special day!

TIMELINE

St. Nicholas Day Timeline

Birth of Saint Nicholas

Saint Nicholas of Myra, the patron saint of this day, was born around this year in the city of Patara, in present-day Turkey.

Death of Saint Nicholas

Saint Nicholas dies on December 6th, marking the date now celebrated as St. Nicholas Day.

St. Nicholas Day in Holland

During the 1600s, the Dutch popularized traditions associated with St. Nicholas Day, such as exchanging gifts and leaving shoes filled with treats.

American Adoption of Traditions

Dutch settlers brought St. Nicholas Day traditions to America, where they gradually blended with other holiday practices, contributing to the development of Santa Claus.

Global Recognition of St. Nicholas Day

During this time, St. Nicholas Day began to be recognized internationally, with celebrations in countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Contemporary Celebrations

St. Nicholas Day is celebrated annually all over the world with people exchanging gifts and performing acts of charity to honor the spirit of Saint Nicholas.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate St. Nicholas Day

Make a Saint Nicholas Day treat

Bake up some special Saint Nicholas day treats, like cookies in the shape of St. Nick or a cake decorated with his image. You can also make a traditional Dutch treat, such as speculaas, which is a spiced cookie.

Do a good deed

It's said that St. Nicholas was a generous man who gave to the poor and needy. Honor his memory by doing something good for someone else. Donate to your favorite charity or volunteer at a soup kitchen.

GIVE

Give gifts

Celebrate St. Nicholas Day by giving small gifts to your friends and family as a token of appreciation for their friendship or to recognize an accomplishment.

ATTEND

Attend a play or puppet show

Many churches and organizations put on plays or puppet shows about St. Nicholas day and the legend of Saint Nicholas himself. These are usually free or low cost and provide an enjoyable way to learn more about St. Nick.

WRITE

Write letters to Santa

Have your children or grandchildren write letters to Santa telling him what they want for Christmas in honor of St. Nicholas Day, who was a generous man who gave gifts to children.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love St. Nicholas Day

St. Nicholas encourages kids to be good

Traditionally, St Nicolas rewards children who have been well-behaved throughout the year with small gifts and treats. This encourages kids to do their best and remain obedient as they strive to get those special presents from Santa's generous hand!

St. Nicholas celebrates generosity

Coupled with Christmas and other winter holidays, St.Nicholas Day is a time when we celebrate giving and selflessness by showing how much we care for one another. By taking the time to create or buy thoughtful gifts for family and friends, St. Nicholas reminds us of how important it is to give from the heart!

It's a great way to show appreciation

The perfect opportunity to show your loved ones just how much they mean to you, St. Nicholas day is a wonderful time to remind people of their worth and value. Whether you give them something material or simply share kind words, they will appreciate that you took the time to honor them on this special day.