Sinterklaas Sinterklaas Sinterklaas () or "Sint-Nicolaas" () is a legendary figure based on Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children. Other names for the figure include "De Sint" ("The Saint"), "De Goede Sint" ("The Good Saint"), and "De Goedheiligman" ("The Good Holy Man") in Dutch; "Saint Nicolas" in French; "Sinteklaas" in West Frisian; "Sinterklaos" in Limburgs; "Saint-Nikloi" in West Flemish; and "Kleeschen" and "Zinniklos" in Luxembourgish. The feast of "Sinterklaas" celebrates the name day of Saint Nicholas on 6 December. The feast is celebrated annually with the giving of gifts on St. Nicholas' Eve (5 December) in the Netherlands and on the
Saint Nicholas made Saint Nicholas a patron saint of children and later students as well. Santa Claus evolved from Dutch traditions regarding Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas). When the Dutch established the colony of New Amsterdam, they brought the legend and traditions of Sinterklaas with them. Howard G. Hageman, of New Brunswick Theological Seminary, maintains that the tradition of celebrating Sinterklaas in New York existed in the early settlements of the Hudson Valley, although by the early nineteenth century had fallen by the way. St. Nicholas Park, located at the intersection of St. Nicholas Avenue and 127th Street, in an area originally settled by