Miklavž ~ St Nicholas Day 2022

St Nicholas Day (Miklavz), December 6, is the special day of gift-giving for children. The weeks before are the time for Miklavz fairs or markets.

Virtually every town and village has St. Nicholas celebrations. Events on the eve of St. Nicholas Day, December 5, are rather scary, as St. Nicholas is accompanied by devil-like creatures that who scold children who have misbehaved.

The night before the Feast of St. Nicholas, children put a shoe outside the door, hoping it will be filled with treats of fruit, candies, coins, and small toys. The saint’s companion Parkelj, a Krampus-like figure, may leave coal or cinders and switches for naughty children. Or more likely, a mix of both, as most children behave in both good and bad ways.

The feast day itself usually begins with Mass and the priest joins in the later festivities. The choir may sing with the children joining in. St. Nicholas appears, his staff decorated with ribbons and flowers, carrying a big white book with the names of good children. Angels come along to assist in giving gifts and small devils carry chains to frighten naughty children. St. Nicholas reads the children’s names from the book, praising their good behaviour, and giving the gift an angel hands to him. Then St Nicholas tells the not-so-good children to be better and kinder in the next year, while the small devils jump around, rattling their chains frighteningly. After the children promise to behave in the future, they, too, receive a gift of sweets.

The rest of the day is spent in family activities.

Miklavž or St Nicholas Day, is a special Slovenian tradition that occurs on December 6 each year. At the Slovenian Club Melbourne, we will be celebrating Miklavž on Sunday December 4. It is a day of gift giving for children and a wonderful family occasion. It is always a fun and memorable day for children and adults alike! The day will feature visits from Miklavž/St Nicholas himself, as well as his helpful angel and small devils who remind children to be better and kinder in the next year.

The bar will be open from 12pm and lunch will be served from 12:30pm.

Adults ~ $25 | Children 11 years and under ~ $10

Please leave your gifts for the children with staff at the bar.

Bookings are essential by 30th November 2022 ~ please book your tickets via the link.

Look forward to seeing you all there!

Thank you to the St Nicholas Centre for the information on Miklavž in Slovenia above.