Arrival St. Nicholas by boat on November 19th. at the harbour Oostdorperweg/Hofcampweg
Arrival St. Nicholas by boat on November 19th. at the harbour Oostdorperweg/Hofcampweg
Sinterklaas: 5 December
Not an official holiday in the Netherlands but many parents traditionally leave work early so that they can celebrate pakjesavond (evening of packages) with their children on Saint Nicholas' Eve. He usually arrives by boat 3 weeks in advance.
If you would want to experience some truly Dutch culture, then mark your calendars for Saturday, November 19th! Festivities will start at 12.45 hrs at the harbour (Oostdorperweg/ Hofcampweg) and at approximately 13.30 hrs Sinterklaas and his entourage will arrive by boat. Disembarking from his boat he will get into a “golden” carriage, which will take him for a drive through Wassenaar, followed by a colourful procession of a drumband, his “Zwarte Pieten”, children and whoever else has signed up to join.
His planned route is as follows: Harbour- Hofcampweg- direction Stadhoudersplein- at roundabout to the right Wiegmanweg- next roundabout straight ahead to Van Oldenbarneveltweg- next roundabout to the right to Lange Kerkdam. Then is gets really exciting, as, from this point on, Sinterklaas will walk through the Langstraat, enabling children to shake his hand, give him drawings etc. He will conclude his walking-tour at Restaurant “Mieli,” where he will get back into his carriage.
Source: Bonnie Klap.