St. Nicholas Day

Category: Seasons
St. Nicholas Day around the world in 2025

About St. Nicholas Day

How long until St. Nicholas Day?
St. Nicholas Day .
Dates of St. Nicholas Day
2026 InternationalDec 6
International Sun, Dec 6Observances Holiday
2025 InternationalDec 6
International Sat, Dec 6Observances Holiday
2024 InternationalDec 6
International Fri, Dec 6Observances Holiday
2023 InternationalDec 6
International Wed, Dec 6Observances Holiday
2022 InternationalDec 6
International Tue, Dec 6Observances Holiday
Summary
Find out the dates, history and traditions of St. Nicholas Day

Celebrating the Christian saint who sold everything he owned to give money to the poor, St. Nicholas Day, also known as the Feast of St. Nicholas, is observed on December 6th and is celebrated throughout much of northern Europe.

Traditions include leaving small gifts and treats in shoes. While still considered a different entity than our modern-day Santa Claus, many of the traditions of Santa originated with the legends of St. Nicholas.

Saint Nicholas was a Greek Bishop of Myra (now part of modern-day Turkey) in the fourth century. Nicholas was born to wealthy parents who died in an epidemic while he was still young. A devout Christian, he gave his inheritance to the poor and needy, gaining a reputation for secret gift-giving.

As well as children. St Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, fishermen, merchants, broadcasters, the falsely accused, repentant thieves, brewers, pharmacists, archers, pawnbrokers, unmarried people and prostitutes.

Find out more

Similar Observances

Read more about Vernal Equinox

Vernal Equinox

Find out the dates, history and traditions of Vernal Equinox

Read More
Read more about Summer solstice

Summer solstice

The summer solstice is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Read More
Read more about Autumnal Equinox

Autumnal Equinox

Find out the dates, history and traditions of Autumnal Equinox

Read More
Read more about Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice

The arrival of the shortest day of the year has been celebrated since the dawn of mankind.

Read More

Other Observances on December 6th 2025

Read more about Crate Day

Crate Day

New Zealand has a semi national holiday called crate day where you have to drink a crate of beer on the first Saturday of December.

Read More
Read more about Miners’ Day

Miners’ Day

A day to appreciate the contribution of miners on the anniversary of the deadliest mining disaster in the US.

Read More
Read more about National Gazpacho Day

National Gazpacho Day

Find out the dates, history and traditions of National Gazpacho Day

Read More
Read more about National Microwave Oven Day

National Microwave Oven Day

Ding! Ding! Time to pierce the film, it is National Microwave Oven Day.

Read More
All events on December 6th 2025