Celebrate With The Original St. Nicholas Who Predated Santa Claus
Events That Feature the Story of St. Nicholas
St. Nicholas Events in Cities and Towns in the Chicago Area
Without Saint Nicholas there never would have been a Santa Claus. Saint Nicholas, also called Nikolaos of Myra, was a historic 4th-century saint and Greek Bishop of Myra in Lycia. Santa Claus, the American version of St. Nicholas originated with Clement Clarke Moore’s 1823 poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas” better know as “The Night Before Christmas”. The following events portray the real-life St. Nicholas in a more truthful way and celebrate the actual saint rather then the fictional Santa Claus we have come to know.
Berwyn
St. Nick's Stockings in Berwyn
Thursday, December 6th, 2018
Time: 6 PM to 8 PM
Sponsor: Berwyn Park District
Freedom Administration Office
3701 S. Scoville
Berwyn, IL 60402
For additional information: (708) 788-1701
Limited to: Berwyn Residents only
Pre-registration required - registration ends November 26th
Cost: $25 per household, minimum 6 children, maximum 20 people
St. Nicholas, or Santa as he is now known will be coming by homes in Berwyn in honor of St. Nick's Day sometime between six and eight o’clock in the evening. He will have something special for the kids, a St. Nick’s Stocking for each child. Be sure you are home from six to eight pm
Chicago
Sinterklaas Visits Chicago
Sunday, December 2nd, 2018
Time: 11 AM - 3 PM
The Dutch Club of Chicago
Chicago, IL 60613
www.dutchclubchicago.com/events
Cost: Sinterklaas tickets are available through Eventbrite.
The Dutch Club of Chicago and Tul(i)p School celebrate a visit by Sinterklaas every year in early December, close to Saint Nicholas Day. Sinterklaasis is the Dutch version of Saint Nicholas - or Sint Nikolaas - who became known as Santa Claus in America. This year the event will be on December 2nd. The children all have a chance to meet and talk with Sinterklaasis. After he leaves they get to open their presents. This traditional celebration includes Sinterklaas songs, the making of paper bishop miters and plenty of Dutch treats. Note for the location of this event check with Sinterklaas Chicago 2018.
Saint Nicholas Visits in Chicago
Sunday, December 2nd, 2018
Time: T/B/A
St. James Episcopal Cathedral
65 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
www.saintjamescathedral.org
(312) 787-7360
Cost: FREE ST. NICHOLAS EVENT
Every year parishioners arrive on the Sunday closest to Saint Nicholas Day - in 2016 December 4th. The shoes of children are left in the narthex, an antechamber at the entrance of the church. At the end of the service, St. Nicholas proceeds to the front throwing candy along the way. When the little ones find their shoes, surprise! They have been filled with Candy. Click on this link for additional information.
Frankfort
Christkindl Lantern Parade with St. Nicholas
Saturday, December 1st, 2018
Time: 4:30 PM
Frankfurt Area Historical Society Museum
132 Kansas Street
Frankfort, IL 60423
Cost: FREE ST. NICHOLAS EVENT
http://shophistoricfrankfort.com/Events
The parade lines up at 4:45 PM at the Frankfurt Area Historical Society Museum on Kansas Street where St. Nicholas will lead the march through downtown Frankfort
Geneva
Father Christmas Reveals The Legend of St. Nicholas
Wednesday, December 19th, 2018
Time: 7 PM
Geneva Public Library
127 James St.
Geneva, IL 60134
For additional information: (630) 232-0780
Cost: Check with the Library
Father Christmas will be at The Little Traveler to tell holiday stories. Terry Lynch, dressed as Saint Nicholas or as he is more widely known - Father Christmas - reveals the joyful holiday stories and traditions that have grown up around this 4th century bishop. Explained are the ancient rituals that have been handed down through different cultures, and incorporated into the holiday season as we know it today. You’ll enjoy stories of St. Nicholas, the protector of children throughout the ages. Also, learn about the origins of St. Nicholas characters in different countries, popular Christmas symbols and worldwide Christmas traditions.
Glen Ellyn
Saint Nicholas Visits St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn
Sunday, December 3rd, 2017
Time: 10:15 AM
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church
22W415 Butterfield Road
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
http://www.saint-barnabas.net%C2%A0
Cost: FREE ST. NICHOLAS EVENT
Every year on or near the Feast Day of Saint Nicholas, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church celebrates by having one of their senior members visit as St. Nicholas. He puts on the bishop’s vestments and the children who have been receiving religious instruction, have to correctly name each vestment. They assist him in dressing while at the same time trying to remember the correct vestment names. When he is finished he reads them life of St. Nicholas. Each child then comes up to St. Nicholas who then reads a personal letter, which has been furnished by a parent or family member. The letters covers the events in life of the child for the previous year, with plenty of love and praise and perhaps a mild rebuke if something needs to be corrected. Before leaving, they receive a small gift from St. Nicholas.
Joliet
Father Christmas Reveals The Legend of St. Nicholas
Tuesday, December 19th, 2017
Time: 6 PM
Sponsor: St. Joseph's Catholic Church
416 N. Chicago Street
Joliet, IL 60432
Cost: : T/B/A
St. Nicholas, or Santa as he is now known will be coming by homes in Berwyn on St. Nick's Day sometime between six and eight o’clock in the evening. He will have something special for the kids, a St. Nick’s Stocking for each child. Be sure you are home from six to eight pm. You’ll enjoy stories of St. Nicholas, the protector of children throughout the ages. Also, learn about the origins of St. Nicholas characters in different countries, popular Christmas symbols and worldwide Christmas traditions.
Orland Park
Father Christmas Reveals The Legend of St. Nicholas
Saturday, December 9th, 2017
Time: 9:30 AM
Event at: Village of Orland Park History Museum
14415 Beacon Avenue
Orland Park, IL 60462
For additional information: (708) 873-1622
Cost: Check with The Orland Park History Museum
http://shophistoricfrankfort.com/Events
Father Christmas will be at The Orland Park History Museum to tell holiday stories. Terry Lynch, dressed as Saint Nicholas or as he is more widely known - Father Christmas - reveals the joyful holiday stories and traditions that have grown up around this 4th century bishop. Explained are the ancient rituals that have been handed down through different cultures, and incorporated into the holiday season as we know it today. You’ll enjoy stories of St. Nicholas, the protector of children throughout the ages. Also, learn about the origins of St. Nicholas characters in different countries, popular Christmas
