Sinterklaas for Expats

New in the Netherlands? Sinterklaas is the easiest way into Dutch life. Kids talk about little else from mid-November, offices draw names for a gift evening, and neighbours leave kruidnoten on the doorstep. You don't need to speak Dutch or know the songs. You just need to join in. This guide explains the tradition and gives you four simple ways to take part, with free tools to help.

What Sinterklaas is

Sinterklaas is a Dutch folk tradition for children and families. An old man with a long white beard, a red mitre and a red cape arrives from Spain by steamboat, rides his grey horse over the rooftops at night and brings presents with the help of his Pieten. The season ends on 5 December, with presents, poems and a cosy evening at home. It is separate from Christmas: many Dutch families celebrate both, three weeks apart.

The dates for 2026

• Saturday 14 November: the national arrival (intocht) in Grave, Brabant, live on NPO 3 at 12:00. Most towns hold their own arrival on a weekend in November.
• From the arrival until 5 December: children put out their shoe at night (schoen zetten), with a carrot for the horse and a drawing. In the morning there may be a small treat inside.
• 5 December, evening: pakjesavond, the present evening. Families and friends swap gifts and read poems aloud.

Five customs worth knowing

1. The poem. Every present comes with a short rhyming poem, written as if Sinterklaas wrote it. It gently teases the receiver and hints at the gift. Sign it “Sint en Piet”.
2. Lootjes trekken. Grown-ups and older children draw names: you buy one present, within a set budget, for one person in the group.
3. The surprise. A small gift hidden inside something handmade that matches the person: a cardboard guitar for a music lover, a papier-mâché shoe for a runner.
4. The treats. Kruidnoten (small spiced biscuits), a chocolate letter with the first letter of your name, speculaas, taai-taai and marzipan.
5. The Pieten. Sinterklaas's helpers. National TV and most cities now show Pieten with a few soot smudges from the chimneys.

Four ways to join in and make Dutch friends

1. Send your neighbour a card

A friendly card is the easiest first step. Our free hello-neighbour card says hello in English and Dutch and can invite them for coffee, to the arrival or to a present evening. You send the link yourself; we never email the person it's for.

2. Draw names with colleagues or friends

Offer to organise lootjes trekken at work, in your sports team or with other parents. Our free online name draw does the secret part: everyone joins with a link, gets one name by email, plus gift ideas within the budget and a poem helper. Then you all meet for one evening.

3. Write a poem together

Nothing breaks the ice like reading silly rhymes aloud. Our guide How to write a Sinterklaas poem has steps, Dutch rhymes and examples. Ask a Dutch colleague to check your rhymes: they will love helping.

4. Share the story with your children

Watch the arrival on TV, put out a shoe, and follow De reis van Sinterklaas, our free 3D story in English and Dutch. Children can make a wish card for you and write a poem, alone or with their class.

Ten Dutch words for the season

• Sinterklaas komt eraan! Sinterklaas is coming!
• pakjesavond present evening (5 December)
• lootjes trekken drawing names
• surprise a gift hidden inside something handmade
• schoen zetten putting out your shoe
• gedicht poem
• kruidnoten small spiced biscuits
• chocoladeletter chocolate letter
• Wat heb jij gekregen? What did you get?
• Dank je wel, Sint! Thank you, Sint!

Planning gifts for both Sinterklaas and Christmas? Keep the dates and ideas in the Wow Calendar, or browse our Sinterklaas gifts.

Questions expats ask

Is Sinterklaas the same as Christmas?

No. Sinterklaas ends on 5 December with presents and poems. Christmas follows three weeks later, and many Dutch families celebrate both.

Do I have to give presents to my colleagues?

Only if your team draws names. Then you buy one present within the agreed budget, usually 10 to 25 euros, and write a short poem.

Can I write the poem in English?

Yes. A poem in English, or half English and half Dutch, is always welcome. Effort counts more than perfect rhymes.

Where can I see Sinterklaas arrive?

The national arrival is on Saturday 14 November 2026 in Grave, on NPO 3 from 12:00. Most towns have their own arrival on a weekend in November; check your town's website.