St. Nicholas Breakfast, All Saints' Episcopal Church, Portland, Oregon

Sinterklaas Arrives in Holland, MI Photo: DGM

Sinterklaas greets children at the Holland Museum Holland, MI Photo: DGM

Bishop St. Nicholas is celebrated by many churches and by communities which have a Dutch, German, or Ukrainian heritage. On the Advent Sunday closest to St. Nicholas Day, December 6, churches may have St. Nicholas festivals, large or small, with the good saint himself appearing to greet children, give instruction and encouragement, and hand out treats for children of all ages.

In some places he is a focus in worship and in others he is part of a special fellowship event.

St. Nicholas may also be the inspiration for a special Advent project—one which shows his concern for justice and relief of suffering.

These observances are most prevalent in Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Episcopal churches, though not uncommon in many others, as well.

St. Nicholas, as Sinterklaas, makes his appearance in towns and cities founded by Dutch settlers. There he usually comes in a parade, accompanied by Zwarte Pieten, as he does in the Netherlands. The Piets toss candy to bystanders along the parade route. After the parade, Sinterklaas greets children and gives them sweet treats. Some of the places where Sinterklaas is part of the season are Holland, Michigan; Pella and Orange City, Iowa; Fulton, Illinois. The German Sankt Nikolaus appears in New Ulm, Miinnesota, and places in Pennsylvania.

St. Nicholas Eve in Roberts Cove, Louisiana

St. Nicholas Day in Wisconsin

Sinterklaas—One Family's Experience
Dutch-Americans in the Netherlands and the USA

Anglican Shrine of Saint Nicholas
St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Links
St. Nicholas Shrine Church, Greek Orthodox, Flushing, New York
St. Nicholas Shrine Greek Orthodox Church, West Babylon, New York