Sinterklaas Holland
St nicholas day is not a public holiday.
Sinterklaas holland. Secondly it refers to the actual holiday the dutch version of christmas which takes place on 5 december although they have christmas too lucky them. The saintly man arrives each year in mid november on a steam boat filled with gifts and together with his helpers all referred to as piet peter. Sinterklaas the patron of children and sailors finds a welcoming community in the mid hudson valley as we re create the story through the lens of modern day america.
In the netherlands the main celebrations take place on december 5 rather than december 6. Although not an official national holiday in the getting a day off work sense sinterklaas is the dutch holiday everyone gets excited about especially those under the age of 10. Built around the image of saint nicholas the patron saint of children sinterklass the name resulting from the contraction of sint nikolaas is a legendary christmas figure celebrated and loved in the netherlands.
Listen to stories make a dutch lantern and play games at the holland area arts council beginning at 6pm. Firstly it is the name for the dutch equivalent of santa claus except this ones from spain. The tradition of sinterklaas comes all the way from the netherlands brought by dutch settlers who arrived in rhinebeck over 300 years ago.
Nicholas eve and day in the netherlands when saint nicholas also known as sinterklaas visits children and brings them presents. Is st nicholas day a public holiday. Sinterklaas also known as saint nicholas is dear to the hearts of dutch children.
Dutch lanterns are available to the first 300 children beginning at 600 pm until supplies last. The sinterklaas festivities draw on the hudson valleys dutch heritage but with some modern day twists. Sinterklaas in amsterdam every november sinterklaas travels from his home in spain to the netherlands bringing presents and special treats for the children.
The day after he arrives in the netherlands he traditionally takes part in a colourful parade through amsterdam. He can be recognized by his eye catching red cape with red miter and his long white beard. Children make scepters and crowns for themselves at the crowns and branches workshops.
Reminiscent of years gone by this traditional dutch folk event celebrates sinterklaas the benevolent st.