Sinterklaas in the Netherlands - Statistics & Facts
Sinterklaasfeest, or as one might say in English, Saint Nicholas Day, is a holiday celebrated mainly in the Netherlands on the fifth of December, and in Belgium on the sixth. According to legend, Sinterklaas, his helpers, and his horse go all the way from Spain to the Netherlands by boat in the middle of November each year. Their arrival, in conjunction with the subsequent parade, marks the beginning of the festive season. Before the fifth of December, children typically leave their shoes close to the fireplace or at the backdoor, sometimes placing a carrot in them for Sinterklaas’ horse (Amerigo or Ozosnel) to enjoy. On the day of the holiday itself, candy and gifts will have been left in and around the kids’ shoes, after which Sinterklaas will once again return to his home in the South.
