The December 6 holiday in Germany is St. Nicholas Day, when children wake to small gifts and sweets in polished shoes or boots.
Planning a winter trip or just curious about German traditions around December 6? The December 6 holiday in Germany, known as Nikolaustag or St. Nicholas Day, brings stories of a generous bishop, children leaving out shoes, and treats that show up overnight.
This guide explains what happens on that day, where the custom comes from, and how you can join in whether you are in Germany or celebrating at home.
Quick Facts About The December 6 Holiday in Germany
Before going into details, it helps to have a quick snapshot of how St. Nicholas Day works across the country. The table below sums up the basics.
| Aspect | Details | Typical In Germany |
|---|---|---|
| Official Name | Nikolaustag or Fest des heiligen Nikolaus | Known everywhere, though practices vary by region |
| Date | 6 December each year | Marks the feast day of Saint Nicholas of Myra |
| Main Figure | Saint Nicholas, usually as a bishop in red or white robes | Often appears in schools, churches, and town events |
| Core Custom | Children clean shoes or boots and place them outside | Overnight they are filled with sweets, fruit, nuts, and small gifts |
| Common Treats | Chocolate, gingerbread, clementines, walnuts, small toys | Varies by family but sweets and fruit are almost always present |
| Linked Season | Advent and the lead up to Christmas Eve | Often the first big moment of the Christmas period for children |
| School And Work | Regular workday; not a nationwide public holiday | Some schools and kindergartens invite a visiting Nikolaus |
| Religious Background | Feast of a fourth century bishop known for generosity | Honoured in both Catholic and Protestant areas in different ways |
Who Was Saint Nicholas And Why December 6 Matters
To understand the December 6 customs, it helps to know a little about the historical Nicholas of Myra. He lived in the fourth century in what is now Turkey and served as a bishop known for helping people in quiet, practical ways. Stories tell of him giving dowries to poor families and secretly leaving food or money for people in need.
Because of these stories, he became patron saint of children, sailors, and merchants, and his feast day landed on 6 December. Over time, communities in German speaking regions shaped this day into a child friendly celebration with small gifts and sweets instead of large presents. Church and diocesan sources in Germany still describe him as a figure linked to generosity rather than commercial gift giving.
Legends about Nicholas spread through Europe in the Middle Ages, and German speaking regions shaped his image through church plays and local walks through the streets. Over time, this bishop figure influenced later Christmas gift bringers such as the Weihnachtsmann and Santa Claus, but the 6 December feast keeps its own flavour as a quieter day of surprise gifts for families.
How Germans Celebrate St. Nicholas Day On 5 And 6 December
Most of the action around Nikolaustag happens between the evening of 5 December and the morning of 6 December. Families with children usually follow a few simple steps that repeat year after year.
Cleaning Shoes And Placing Them By The Door
On the evening of 5 December, children clean one or both of their shoes or boots. They put them outside the front door, in the hallway, or near a window, depending on the home. Parents often encourage kids to polish the shoes carefully, turning the chore into part of the suspense.
During the night, Saint Nicholas is said to pass by and fill the shoes with small treats. In reality, parents and older family members arrange the surprise once children are asleep.
Morning Surprises And Typical Gifts
On the morning of 6 December, children hurry to check their shoes. In many homes they find chocolate coins, chocolate figures of Nikolaus, tangerines, apples, walnuts, peanuts, and sometimes a small toy or book. Some families add Christmas cookies or a little note with kind words for the child.
Simple food gifts have a long tradition. Oranges and nuts once counted as special winter treats and symbolised good fortune and care. German Christian organisations explain that the focus is less on expensive presents and more on the message of sharing and being generous in small ways.
Visits From Nikolaus In Schools, Churches, And Town Squares
Besides the shoe custom at home, many children see Nikolaus in person. In kindergartens, schools, and parishes, a volunteer dressed as the saint appears in a long robe, with a mitre and staff. He usually carries a book listing good deeds and small missteps from the past year.
During these visits he speaks to the group, encourages kind behaviour, and hands out bags of sweets, nuts, or mandarin oranges.
St. Nicholas Day In Germany On December 6
Patterns around the December 6 holiday in Germany vary from north to south, but a few elements show up almost everywhere. These shared habits help visitors recognise Nikolaustag when they travel through German towns in early December.
Regional Variations You Might Notice
In Catholic areas of southern Germany, Nikolaus often appears as a figure linked to the local parish. Some Protestant regions blend his image with the later Weihnachtsmann, the Christmas gift bringer. Coastal towns may stress Nicholas as a protector of sailors, while many inland areas talk more about his care for children and people in need.
How St. Nicholas Day Fits Into Advent And Christmas
Nikolaustag falls early in Advent, so it feels like an opening act for Christmas celebrations. Families might combine the shoe custom with lighting their Advent wreath, visiting Christmas markets, or baking seasonal biscuits. Children often receive Advent calendars at the start of the month, and 6 December acts as an extra milestone in those first weeks.
The German National Tourist Board describes St. Nicholas Day as one of the special moments of the pre Christmas season, alongside Advent Sundays and Christmas markets. That makes it a memorable date for travellers who enjoy local traditions rather than only the big days of 24 and 25 December.
Planning A Trip Around St. Nicholas Day In Germany
If you plan a visit to Germany in early December, including 6 December in your schedule can add a warm local touch. It is not a public holiday, so shops, schools, and offices stay open, which makes it easy to combine sightseeing with local customs.
What To Expect As A Visitor
Hotels and guesthouses in larger cities may leave a plate of sweets in the lobby on 6 December. At Christmas markets you might spot chocolate Nikolaus figures, shoe shaped gift bags, and themed events for children.
If you travel with children, you can join in by letting them clean their shoes in the hotel room and placing them by the door on the evening of 5 December. You can fill them with small treats from a supermarket or market stall so they wake to the same surprise many German children enjoy.
Where To Learn More Or Join Events
Local parish websites and city event pages list Nikolaus activities such as church services, story hours, and small processions. Church organisations in Germany publish background material on Nikolaus, including his life story and the meaning behind common customs, such as the information shared by the Erzbistum Paderborn.
These sources underline that this December 6 celebration in Germany grew from long standing local habits that put generosity and care at the centre of the day.
Table Of Typical St. Nicholas Day Activities
To give you a handy reference, the next table groups common Nikolaustag activities by setting. You can use it as a checklist when planning your own December 6 celebration.
| Setting | Activity | Who Takes Part |
|---|---|---|
| Home | Cleaning and placing shoes on 5 December | Children and parents |
| Home | Filling shoes with sweets, fruit, and small gifts | Adults in the household |
| Home | Breakfast with treats from the shoes on 6 December | Whole family |
| School Or Kindergarten | Visit from Nikolaus with a book of deeds | Children, teachers, volunteer dressed as Nikolaus |
| Church | Family service or story hour about Saint Nicholas | Parish members, local families |
| Town Or City | Small parade, boat arrival, or market appearance | Residents, visitors, local clubs |
| Travel | Hotel or tour themed treats on 6 December | Guests, tour groups |
Celebrating St. Nicholas Day At Home
You do not need to be in Germany to enjoy the December 6 holiday spirit. Many families abroad already copy parts of Nikolaustag, and the steps are simple to repeat wherever you live.
Simple Steps For Your Own Nikolaustag
Pick one evening close to 5 December to talk about Saint Nicholas and why he became known for kindness. Then help children polish one shoe or boot and set it near the door. Once they sleep, fill it with sweets, nuts, fruit, and maybe a short handwritten note.
The next morning, take time to open the treats slowly instead of rushing on to the day.
Linking Nikolaustag To The Rest Of The Season
Many families use 6 December as a gentle reminder that Advent is about more than presents. Linking your Nikolaus celebration to simple gestures such as baking biscuits for neighbours or visiting grandparents keeps the spirit generous without turning the day into a second Christmas.
Handled this way, the December 6 holiday in Germany offers a model that mixes fun for children with quiet acts of thoughtfulness. Whether you take part while travelling or at home, St. Nicholas Day can anchor the early weeks of December with a small ritual that people remember for years.