For parents

St. Nicholas Day in Ukraine: the story, traditions and how to celebrate at home

Updated October 26, 2026 · 5 min read

Who is St. Nicholas (Mykolai)?

St. Nicholas, called Sviatyi Mykolai in Ukrainian, lived in the 4th century. He was the bishop of Myra in Lycia, in today's Turkey, and is honored as the protector of children, travelers and anyone in need.

The best-known legend tells of a poor man with three daughters who had no dowry. Nicholas secretly tossed bags of gold through their window at night, so no one would know who helped. That's the root of the tradition: Mykolai's gifts arrive quietly at night, while children sleep.

When is it: December 6 or 19?

In 2023 the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church moved to the revised Julian calendar, so Ukraine now celebrates on December 6. Children find their gifts on the morning of the 6th.

Many Ukrainian families abroad still celebrate on December 19, following the Julian calendar. Both dates are correct; follow your family's and parish's tradition.

Traditions

Gifts under the pillow

The heart of the Ukrainian holiday: in the morning, children look under their pillow, not under a tree. Usually it's sweets, a book or a small toy.

Clean shoes

In the evening, children clean their shoes and set them by the door or window. In many families, especially in western Ukraine, Mykolai tucks small treats inside.

Mykolaichyky

Honey cookies shaped like St. Nicholas, angels and stars, decorated with white icing. They're baked the day before and left under the pillow with the gift.

The little switch

A thin twig (rizochka) was once a playful warning for naughty children. Today it's a joke, often left next to the gift as a reminder to stay kind.

Letters to Mykolai

Children write to Mykolai about their good deeds and wishes. Parents help the little ones; older kids write on their own.

Songs and plays

Families sing «Ой хто, хто Миколая любить» (“Oh, who loves St. Nicholas”). Schools and parishes stage plays where Mykolai arrives with angels, and in Halychyna often with a mischievous little devil.

How to celebrate St. Nicholas Day at home

1. Two weeks before. Start a Book of Good Deeds: one good deed each evening. Free Book of Good Deeds (in Ukrainian).
2. A few days before. Help your child write a letter to Mykolai.
3. The day before. Bake mykolaichyky together and learn the St. Nicholas song.
4. That evening. Your child cleans their shoes while you tell the story of the secret gold.
5. At night. Slip a gift, a cookie and a letter from St. Mykolai that mentions your child by name under the pillow.
6. In the morning. Read the letter together. Your child can write Mykolai a thank-you note.

St. Mykolai and Santa Claus

Santa Claus grew out of the same saint: the Dutch Sinterklaas became Santa in America. But the Ukrainian tradition is different. Mykolai comes weeks earlier, leaves gifts under the pillow, and writes to children in Ukrainian. Many diaspora families keep both: Mykolai at home, Santa at school.

Frequently asked questions

When is St. Nicholas Day in Ukraine?

Since 2023, Ukraine celebrates St. Nicholas Day (Den Sviatoho Mykolaia) on December 6, following the revised Julian calendar. Many Ukrainian families abroad still celebrate on December 19, following the Julian calendar. Both dates are correct.

Why does St. Mykolai leave gifts under the pillow?

According to legend, St. Nicholas secretly helped a poor family by tossing gold through their window at night so no one would know. That's why his gifts arrive at night while children sleep, and Ukrainian children find them under their pillow in the morning.

What are mykolaichyky?

Mykolaichyky are Ukrainian honey cookies shaped like St. Nicholas, angels and stars, decorated with white icing. They're baked the day before and left under the pillow with the gift.

What do naughty children get on St. Nicholas Day?

Traditionally, a little switch (rizochka), a thin twig as a playful reminder to behave. Today it's mostly a joke, often left next to the gift or not at all.

How is St. Mykolai different from Santa Claus?

Santa Claus grew out of the same St. Nicholas. But the Ukrainian Mykolai comes weeks earlier, on December 6 or 19, leaves gifts under the pillow instead of under a tree, and speaks Ukrainian. Many diaspora families celebrate both.