Few traditions reveal the Dutch soul as beautifully as Sinterklaas. Long before the world knew Santa Claus, the Netherlands celebrated a wise, dignified saint whose story blends Mediterranean history, medieval devotion, and modern creativity. To understand why December 5th is one of the most cherished evenings in the Netherlands, we go back more than 1,700 years.
1. The real man behind the myth: Saint Nicholas of Myra
Saint Nicholas was a 4th-century bishop from what is now Turkey. He became famous for his compassion, his secret acts of generosity, and his protection of the vulnerable. The most iconic story describes how he quietly threw bags of gold through the window of a poor family so their daughters could survive with dignity.
These tales spread throughout Europe, and by the Middle Ages, sailors — especially Dutch sailors — venerated him as their protector. This devotion sets the stage for his role in Dutch history.
2. Why Saint Nicholas became the patron saint of Amsterdam
In medieval times, Amsterdam was a young, rising port city. Maritime trade shaped its identity, and sailors needed a guardian. Saint Nicholas was chosen as the city’s patron saint because:
- He was already honoured as the protector of sailors and merchants.
- His legacy of generosity and justice aligned with the values the city wanted to embody.
- His cult was strong in the Low Countries thanks to centuries of devotion.
The city embraced him so fully that Amsterdam’s oldest church, the Oude Kerk (founded in the early 13th century), was originally dedicated to Saint Nicholas.
For centuries, his feast day on December 6th was the city’s most important religious celebration.
This deep historical connection explains why the Dutch never adopted Santa Claus as their main December figure — they already had Sinterklaas long before.
3. How Saint Nicholas transformed into Sinterklaas
By the 15th century, Saint Nicholas’ feast had evolved into a beloved folk celebration. In the Netherlands he became Sinterklaas:
- a tall, elderly man dressed as a bishop,
- wearing a red miter and carrying a golden staff,
- arriving “from Spain,” a poetic reference to old trade routes,
- riding a white horse over rooftops.
Children placed shoes near the fireplace, hoping for sweets or small gifts. The belief was that he rewarded good behaviour but also reminded children to reflect on their actions — a gentle moral guide rather than a commercial figure.
4. The tradition of witty rhymes: where it comes from
One of the most charming aspects of Dutch Sinterklaas is the art of the “gedicht” — a playful, witty poem attached to each gift.
This tradition grew during the 17th century, the Dutch Golden Age, when literacy and satire flourished. Dutch households loved:
- playful teasing,
- philosophical reflections,
- humour mixed with gentle moral lessons.
Sinterklaas poems became a socially acceptable way to say things you normally wouldn’t say aloud — with warmth, irony, and a touch of truth.
To this day, these poems are the heart of the celebration: part confession, part comedy, part love letter.
5. December 5th –
Pakjesavond, the heart of the Dutch celebration
Although Saint Nicholas’ official feast is on December 6th, the Dutch celebrate the evening before, December 5th, known as Pakjesavond (“Presents Evening”).
This is how the night unfolds across the country:
- Children leave shoes by the fireplace or front door with a carrot for the saint’s horse.
- Families gather early, drink hot chocolate, and share speculaas and pepernoten.
- Suddenly, gifts appear — sometimes with a loud knock on the door, sometimes mysteriously delivered.
- Each present is paired with a handwritten poem or a humorous “surprise,” a creative, often exaggerated wrapping style.
The atmosphere is warm, nostalgic, funny, and deeply communal. Unlike Christmas, Sinterklaas is centred on creativity, satire, and togetherness, not commercial gifts.
6. How Sinterklaas became Santa Claus
The transformation begins with Dutch immigrants who settled in New Amsterdam (today’s New York) in the 17th century. They brought with them their beloved Sinterklaas.
Over time, linguistic and cultural blending changed the name:
- Sinterklaas → Sint Claes → Sante Claus → Santa Claus.
Three cultural moments shaped the global figure we know today:
Washington Irving (1812)
He fictionalized “Santa Claus” as a magical figure riding over rooftops.
Clement Clarke Moore (1823)
In the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas”, he created the iconic imagery:
a plump, jolly man in a sleigh pulled by reindeer, slipping down chimneys.
Coca-Cola’s illustrations (1931)
Artist Haddon Sundblom standardized Santa as red-suited, round, warm and commercial — the version now known worldwide.
In essence: Santa Claus is the American reinterpretation of the Dutch Sinterklaas, transformed by literature, marketing, and popular culture.
7. Two figures, one origin
Though they share a root, their meanings differ:
- Sinterklaas is poetic, historical, and rooted in Dutch community tradition.
- Santa Claus is global, commercial, and purely tied to Christmas.
Yet both come from the same bishop whose legacy shaped centuries of storytelling.
A Tradition That Reveals the Heart of the Netherlands
Sinterklaas is more than a festive character — he is a mirror of Dutch history, humour, and identity. From medieval sailors praying for safe journeys, to families today crafting clever poems and sharing warm winter treats, the celebration has always carried the same essence: connection, generosity, creativity, and community.
And in a way, this is what makes Amsterdam so special. The city still breathes the spirit of Saint Nicholas: the protective guardian of sailors, the compassionate helper of the vulnerable, and the patron saint whose name once echoed through the halls of the Oude Kerk.
Every December, as the canals shimmer under soft winter lights, the Netherlands quietly reminds the world that magic doesn’t just come from gifts — it comes from stories, from tradition, and from the joy of sharing something meaningful together.
Explore the Story of Amsterdam With Me
If reading this sparked your curiosity, I would love to show you the city through the same warm, historical lens.
On my tours, I share the hidden stories behind Amsterdam’s traditions — from old churches and sailors’ legends, to the modern rhythms that shape life here today.
Whether you're visiting for the first time or rediscovering the city, I’ll guide you through the places where these stories still live.
Come wander with me — and let Amsterdam reveal herself to you.
With love,
Constanza