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Netherlands The Netherlands celebrates Sinterklaas on Dec. 6, in honor of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children who is believed to have inspired Santa Claus.
Sinterklaas (Dutch: [ˌsɪntərˈklaːs] ⓘ) or Sint-Nicolaas (Dutch: [sɪnt ˈnikoːlaːs] ⓘ) is a legendary figure based on Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children. Other Dutch names for the figure include De Sint ("The Saint"), De Goede Sint ("The Good Saint") and De Goedheiligman ("The Good Holy Man").
In the Netherlands, his feast day is celebrated on 5 December, the Eve of Saint Nicholas. It is believed that Sinterklaas travels from Spain by boat. His arrival each November is a big event for children. In the days leading up to 5 December, young children put their shoes in front of the chimneys and sing Sinterklaas songs.
Het Sinterklaasjournaal is a Dutch children's television series that has been broadcast every year since 2001 during the Sinterklaas period.The program is a fictional, children news program, in which the adventures of Sinterklaas and his Petes during their stay in the Netherlands are told.
There are less than 20 days until Christmas, but St. Nicholas comes on Dec. 6. Here's what to know about the holiday.
In the Netherlands, children often leave carrots and hay to help energize Sinterklaas's horses — yes, horses — on their trip around the world.
In the Netherlands (see Sinterklaas), Dutch children put out a shoe filled with hay and a carrot for Saint Nicholas' horse. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] It is believed that Saint Nicholas arrives to celebrate his day, December 6 ( December 19 according to the Julian calendar ) or November 11 in Belgium, and leaves before Christmas .
For children in the Netherlands, Sinterklaas remains the predominant gift-giver in December; 36% of the Dutch only give presents on Sinterklaas evening or the day itself, 6 December, [13] while Christmas, 25 December, is used by another 21% to give presents. Some 26% of the Dutch population gives presents on both days. [14]