Sinterklaas aan de Maas

For three weeks Saint Nicholas and his “Pieten” will receive all kinds of people. Everyone is welcome in his residence.
Beside the fact that Saint Nicholas will receive all kinds of people, there will be a lot of cultural activities as well. Workshops, art, dance, song and literature will be a part of the event too.

Have you ever want to be a part of a typical Dutch event? This is the chance for you to learn something more about the Dutch culture.

“Sinterklaas aan de Maas” is an initiative from “Centrummanagement Maastricht” in partnership Rederij Stiphout. Entrance is free.

Who is Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas)”?
Saint Nicholas is a traditional Winter holiday figure. He is one of the sources of the holiday figure of Santa Clausin North America.
Sinterklaas is an elderly, stately and serious man with white hair and a long, full beard. He wears a long red cape over a traditional white bishop's alb and sometimes red stola, dons a red mitre, and holds a gold-coloured crosier, a long ceremonial shepherd's staff with a fancy curled top. He carries a big book that tells whether each individual child has been good or naughty in the past year. He traditionally rides a white gray.

Sinterklaas traditionally arrives in the Netherlands each year in mid-November (usually on a Saturday) by steamboat from Spain. At his arrival Sinterklaas parades through the streets on his gray horse Amerigo, welcomed by cheering and singing children. This event is broadcast live on national television in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Traditionally, in the weeks between his arrival and 5 December, before going to bed, children put their shoes next to the fireplace or heating unit. They leave the shoe with a carrot or some hay in it and a bowl of water nearby "for Sinterklaas' horse", and the children sing a Sinterklaas song.
The next day they will find some candy or a small present in their shoes.

He is celebrated annually on Saint Nicholas' eve (5 December) or, in Belgium, on the morning of 6 December. On his birthday kids will get a lot of small and big presents.