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The short answer: St. Nicholas Day is December 6, the feast day of St. Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop known for his generosity.
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On the evening of December 5, children in many countries set out their shoes, and by morning they find small treats such as oranges, chocolate coins and candy canes. In 2026, St. Nicholas Day falls on a Sunday.
I love the seasons and the small rituals a family repeats every year, and this one is gentle and inexpensive. My Christian faith shapes how I think about generosity and service, and St. Nicholas Day is a natural way to put both into practice. Add it to the Holiday Calendar page of the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) so it doesn't slip by in the early-December rush.
Who was St. Nicholas?
According to Britannica's biography of St. Nicholas, he was probably bishop of Myra, in what is now Turkey, in the 4th century. Little is known for certain about his life. His reputation for generosity and kindness inspired many legends, and he became the patron saint of children and sailors, among others.
The best-known legend says he secretly gave gold to three young women whose families could not afford their dowries. That story is why gold chocolate coins and oranges still show up in shoes today.
When is St. Nicholas Day?
| Year | St. Nicholas Day | Shoes go out |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday, December 6 | Saturday evening, December 5 |
| 2027 | Monday, December 6 | Sunday evening, December 5 |
| 2028 | Wednesday, December 6 | Tuesday evening, December 5 |
The Western feast day is December 6. Britannica notes that the Eastern feast day is December 19, which is when many Orthodox churches celebrate.
St. Nicholas Day traditions around the world
Britannica's St. Nicholas Day overview describes how the feast is kept in Europe. In parts of northern Europe, especially the Low Countries and some German-speaking areas, children receive special cookies, candies and small gifts.
- Shoes by the door: children leave shoes, stockings or plates out on the eve of the feast.
- Letters and carrots: in many places, children leave letters for the saint and carrots or hay for his horse or donkey.
- Sinterklaas: in the Netherlands, he is said to arrive dressed in a red bishop's robe and miter.
- Treats with meaning: oranges and chocolate coins recall the gold-dowry story. Candy canes are shaped like a bishop's staff.
- Krampus: in parts of Central Europe, a scary figure accompanies the saint to warn naughty children.
Dutch colonists brought the Sinterklaas tradition to New Amsterdam, now New York City. Over time, English-speaking Americans turned him into Santa Claus, the gift-giver of Christmas.
St. Nicholas Day vs. Christmas
St. Nicholas Day honors a saint known for generosity, while Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus on December 25. Many families keep both. St. Nicholas Day can be the small, simple start to the season: a few treats, a story and one kind act. Christmas then stays the bigger family celebration.
How to celebrate St. Nicholas Day at home
- December 5, evening: everyone sets one shoe by the door or the fireplace.
- After bedtime: fill each shoe with a few small treats.
- December 6, morning: open the shoes together and read a short St. Nicholas story.
- During the day: do one generous act as a family, such as donating canned food, dropping off a coat or writing thank-you cards.
St. Nicholas Day shoe fillers on a budget
| Treat | Approximate cost | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Clementine or orange | $0.50 | Gold given in secret |
| Chocolate coins | $1 to $2 | Dowry gold |
| Candy cane | $0.25 | Bishop's staff |
| Special cookies | $1 to $3 | A northern European custom |
| Small book or ornament | $3 to $5 | A keepsake for the season |
A full shoe can cost under $10 per person. Keeping it small leaves room in the budget for Christmas.
Plan December's small traditions
The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) includes a Holiday Calendar, Stocking Stuffers page and Holiday Budget, so St. Nicholas Day treats fit into the whole season's plan. The Holiday Season Bundle ($15.99) adds the 100 Envelope Savings Challenge, Sinking Funds Tracker and Meal Planner. Browse every holiday printable or save with our bundles.
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Frequently asked questions
When is St. Nicholas Day? St. Nicholas Day is December 6 every year. In 2026 it falls on a Sunday, and in 2027 it falls on a Monday. Some countries celebrate on the eve, December 5, and many Eastern Orthodox churches mark his feast on December 19.
What is St. Nicholas Day? St. Nicholas Day is the feast day of St. Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop of Myra in what is now Turkey who was known for his generosity. He is the patron saint of children and sailors, and his story later helped shape the figure of Santa Claus.
What do you put in shoes on St. Nicholas Day? On St. Nicholas Day, shoes are traditionally filled with small treats like oranges or clementines, chocolate coins, candy canes, cookies and one small gift. Listing them on the Stocking Stuffers page of the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner keeps the treats small and on budget.
Why do people put out shoes on St. Nicholas Day? People put out shoes on the eve of St. Nicholas Day because, in parts of northern Europe, children traditionally set out shoes, stockings or plates for the saint. In the morning they find small presents and treats inside.
Why are chocolate coins and oranges given on St. Nicholas Day? Chocolate coins and oranges are given on St. Nicholas Day to recall the legend that St. Nicholas secretly gave gold to three poor young women for their dowries. Candy canes are also given because their shape resembles a bishop's staff.
Is St. Nicholas the same as Santa Claus? St. Nicholas and Santa Claus are connected but not the same. Dutch settlers brought Sinterklaas traditions to New Amsterdam, and over time English-speaking Americans turned him into Santa Claus, who is tied to Christmas instead of December 6.
How do you celebrate St. Nicholas Day at home? Celebrate St. Nicholas Day at home by setting out shoes on the evening of December 5, filling them with a few small treats, reading the story of St. Nicholas and doing one act of generosity together, such as donating food or writing cards. It can cost under $10 per person.
Which countries celebrate St. Nicholas Day? St. Nicholas Day is widely celebrated in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, the Czech Republic and other parts of Europe. In the United States, some families with Dutch, German or Central European roots keep the tradition too.
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Sources
- Britannica: St. Nicholas Day britannica.com
- Britannica: St. Nicholas britannica.com