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Sinterklaasfeest, or as one might say in English, Saint Nicholas Day, is a holiday celebrated mainly in the Netherlands on the fifth of December, and in Belgium on the sixth. According to legend, Sinterklaas, his helpers, and his horse go all the way from Spain to the Netherlands by boat in the middle of November each year. Their arrival, in conjunction with the subsequent parade, marks the beginning of the festive season. Before the fifth of December, children typically leave their shoes close to the fireplace or at the backdoor, sometimes placing a carrot in them for Sinterklaas’ horse (Amerigo or Ozosnel) to enjoy. On the day of the holiday itself, candy and gifts will have been left in and around the kids’ shoes, after which Sinterklaas will once again return to his home in the South.
Sinterklaas vs. Christmas
Although Sinterklaas is a very important holiday tradition in the Netherlands, a considerable share of people in the country do not actually celebrate the occasion. In fact, approximately 85 percent of surveyed Dutch individuals said they would celebrate Christmas in 2021, while only just over half of respondents planned to celebrate Sinterklaasfeest. Nevertheless, people in the Netherlands were more likely to receive gifts from Sinterklaas than from Santa Claus that year. Around 45 percent of people who did intend to celebrate Sinterklaas, planned to do so with members of the family.
Controversy surrounding Zwarte Piet
In recent years, Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) has sparked many discussions. Zwarte Piet is Saint Nicholas’ companion, and he helps deliver presents and candy to children’s homes across the country. However, the traditional look of the character (e.g., dark make-up and red lipstick) has become increasingly controversial over the years, with a reasonable share of people considering it racially insensitive. Although many people in the Netherlands were against making changes at first, more and more people have opened up to the idea of altering the character’s appearance, for example, from Zwarte Piet to Roetveegpiet (Sooty Pete).
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D. Tighe Research expert covering consumer behavior, sporting goods retail, and the global toy industry. 
Key insights
- Share of Dutch people planning to spend less on Sinterklaas due to inflation concerns
- 29%
Detailed statistics
Netherlands: impact of inflation on Sinterklaas spending 2022
- Share of Dutch people who will attend an Arrival of Sinterklaas parade
- 9%
Detailed statistics
Celebration plans for Sinterklaas in the Netherlands in 2021
- Forecast value of holiday shopping season retail sales in the Netherlands
- 17.2bn USD
Detailed statistics
Value of holiday season retail sales in the Netherlands 2019-2022
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Celebrating Sinterklaas
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- Premium Statistic Celebration plans for Sinterklaas in the Netherlands in 2021
- Basic Statistic Vaccination preferences among Dutch people celebrating Sinterklaas 2021
- Premium Statistic Favorite Sinterklaas candy in the Netherlands 2019
Celebrating Sinterklaas
- Premium Statistic Celebration plans for Sinterklaas in the Netherlands in 2021
Celebration plans for Sinterklaas in the Netherlands in 2021
What are you going to do for Sinterklaas this year?
- Basic Statistic Vaccination preferences among Dutch people celebrating Sinterklaas 2021
Vaccination preferences among Dutch people celebrating Sinterklaas 2021
Share of people celebrating Sinterklaas with vaccinated and non-vaccinated family and friends in the Netherlands during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2021
Share of Dutch consumers celebrating & buying gifts for Christmas & Sinterklaas 2021
Share of consumers celebrating and buying/receiving presents for Christmas and for Sinterklaas in the Netherlands in 2021
- Premium Statistic Favorite Sinterklaas candy in the Netherlands 2019
Favorite Sinterklaas candy in the Netherlands 2019
Favorite Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) candy in the Netherlands in 2019
Retail & shopping behavior
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- Premium Statistic Total Christmas consumer spending in the Netherlands 2019-2023
- Premium Statistic Total Christmas spending percentage growth in the Netherlands 2018-2023
- Premium Statistic Average per capita spending on Sinterklaas in the Netherlands 2023
- Premium Statistic Share of Dutch people who would prefer gift-free holidays 2021, by gender and age
- Premium Statistic Share of people getting a Christmas tree in the Netherlands 2021
- Premium Statistic Sinterklaas holiday season expenditures in the Netherlands 2019, by type
- Premium Statistic Estimated holiday season expenditure per household in the Netherlands 2019, by type
Retail & shopping behavior
- Premium Statistic Total Christmas consumer spending in the Netherlands 2019-2023
Total Christmas consumer spending in the Netherlands 2019-2023
Total online and in-store Christmas retail sales in the Netherlands from 2019 to 2023 (in billion GBP)
- Premium Statistic Total Christmas spending percentage growth in the Netherlands 2018-2023
Total Christmas spending percentage growth in the Netherlands 2018-2023
Yearly percentage change in total online and in-store Christmas spending in the Netherlands from 2018 to 2023
- Premium Statistic Average per capita spending on Sinterklaas in the Netherlands 2023
Average per capita spending on Sinterklaas in the Netherlands 2023
Average amount consumers intended to spend on Sinterklaas in the Netherlands in 2023 (in euros)
Average spending on gifts for Christmas & Sinterklaas in the Netherlands 2021, by age
Average spending on presents for Christmas and for Sinterklaas by consumers in the Netherlands in 2021, by age group (in euros)
- Premium Statistic Share of Dutch people who would prefer gift-free holidays 2021, by gender and age
Share of Dutch people who would prefer gift-free holidays 2021, by gender and age
Share of people who would prefer not to give and receive Christmas or Sinterklaas gifts during the holidays in the Netherlands in 2021, by gender and age group
- Premium Statistic Share of people getting a Christmas tree in the Netherlands 2021
Share of people getting a Christmas tree in the Netherlands 2021
Share of people getting a real or fake Christmas tree in the Netherlands in 2021
- Premium Statistic Sinterklaas holiday season expenditures in the Netherlands 2019, by type
Sinterklaas holiday season expenditures in the Netherlands 2019, by type
How much are you planning to spend on Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) this year?*
- Premium Statistic Estimated holiday season expenditure per household in the Netherlands 2019, by type
Estimated holiday season expenditure per household in the Netherlands 2019, by type
Estimated holiday season expenditure in the Netherlands in 2019, by category (in euros)
Holiday shopping sales events
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- Premium Statistic Share of loyal shoppers for selected sales events in the Netherlands 2021
- Premium Statistic Share of Dutch loyals and newcomers shopping during selected sales events 2021
- Premium Statistic Black Friday participation among consumers in the Netherlands 2023
- Premium Statistic Intention to shop on Black Friday in the Netherlands 2021, by age group
Holiday shopping sales events
- Premium Statistic Share of loyal shoppers for selected sales events in the Netherlands 2021
Share of loyal shoppers for selected sales events in the Netherlands 2021
Share of shoppers who are loyal to selected sales events in the Netherlands in 2021
- Premium Statistic Share of Dutch loyals and newcomers shopping during selected sales events 2021
Share of Dutch loyals and newcomers shopping during selected sales events 2021
Share of loyal and new shoppers intending to shop during selected sales events in the Netherlands in 2021
- Premium Statistic Black Friday participation among consumers in the Netherlands 2023
Black Friday participation among consumers in the Netherlands 2023
Expected share of consumers planning to shop during Black Friday in the Netherlands in 2023
- Premium Statistic Intention to shop on Black Friday in the Netherlands 2021, by age group
Intention to shop on Black Friday in the Netherlands 2021, by age group
Do you expect to participate in Black Friday this year?
Zwarte Piet debate
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- Premium Statistic Share of people against adjusting look Zwarte Piet in the Netherlands 2013-2021
- Premium Statistic Opinions on the offensive nature of Black Pete in the Netherlands 2023
- Premium Statistic Opinions on adapting traditional look Zwarte Piet in the Netherlands 2017-2021
Zwarte Piet debate
- Premium Statistic Share of people against adjusting look Zwarte Piet in the Netherlands 2013-2021
Share of people against adjusting look Zwarte Piet in the Netherlands 2013-2021
Share of people against adjusting the look of Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) in the Netherlands from 2013 to 2021
- Premium Statistic Opinions on the offensive nature of Black Pete in the Netherlands 2023
Opinions on the offensive nature of Black Pete in the Netherlands 2023
Share of individuals who find Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) offensive in the Netherlands in 2023
Opinions of racist nature of Zwarte Piet among Surinamese & Antillean Dutch 2021
Do you think Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) is a racist phenomenon or not?
- Premium Statistic Opinions on adapting traditional look Zwarte Piet in the Netherlands 2017-2021
Opinions on adapting traditional look Zwarte Piet in the Netherlands 2017-2021
In your opinion, what should happen to the traditional look of Zwarte Piet (Black Pete)?
Opinions on adapting look Zwarte Piet among Surinamese & Antillean Dutch people 2021
In your opinion, what should happen to the traditional look of Zwarte Piet (Black Pete)?
