Kleeschen, the St Nicholas Luxembourg's children wait for

Children in Luxembourg get two December visitors. The first, and for many the one they’re most excited about, isn’t Father Christmas but Kleeschen, St Nicholas, who turns up on the night of 5 to 6 December. If you’re bringing children over in late autumn, it’s a good reason to check the calendar.

A bishop in red, with company

The country’s official portal describes him as an old man with white hair and a white beard, dressed in red. What sets him apart from Father Christmas is the headgear and the staff, because he wears a bishop’s mitre and carries a crosier. He rarely travels alone. The Houseker goes with him, a dark figure with a big sack that may produce a present or a twig, and the twig is what naughty children end up with.

Slippers, schools and a day off

The build-up starts early. From late November children put a slipper outside their bedroom door each night so Kleeschen can leave sweets, and on the night of 5 to 6 December the real presents arrive, toys and treats. As a rule he doesn’t let the little ones see him, so they find everything first thing in the morning.

It matters so much that the Ministry of Education made 6 December a day off for pupils in fundamental education. It isn’t one of the Luxembourg public holidays, though, so the rest of the country works and shops open. In the days before, St Nicholas also visits classes and entire schools.

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Where to see him in the capital

For a visitor, the thing to catch is Kleeschen on Tour. In the latest edition the capital’s tourist office has published, for a Sunday 30 November, St Nicholas arrived by tram at the railway station at 14:30 with Knecht Ruprecht and his angels, and was welcomed by the city’s leaders. The procession then made its way along Avenue de la Liberté to Place de Paris, where the Scouts handed out Tiitercher, little bags of sweets. Mid-afternoon it climbed to the Ville Haute by the Grand-Rue and the Marché aux Herbes, ending on Place Guillaume II with more sweets until 18:00, a speech by the mayor and the song «Léiwe Kleeschen» from the city conservatory’s children’s choir.

By 30 September 2026 the 2026 date hadn’t been announced. I’d check the tourist office listings in November, and if it fits your trip, I’d start at the station and follow the whole route.

Then Christmas takes over

Kleeschen kicks off a busy month. He doesn’t bring the Christmas presents; in Luxembourg they’re traditionally left under the tree by the Chrëschtkëndchen, the Christ Child. Meanwhile the capital’s Christmas markets, Winterlights, run until 3 January 2027 after opening on 20 November, and in December every bakery sells Boxemännercher, a brioche shaped like a little man that children adore. It’s an easy city break from the UK, with Luxair flying from London City to Findel and a free tram into town. Markets and plans are in Luxembourg Christmas markets.

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More customs through the year

If this sort of thing appeals, there’s plenty more. On 2 February children head out with lanterns for Liichtmëssdag in Luxembourg. During Lent, Bretzelsonndeg in Luxembourg turns a pastry into a love letter. And for free outdoor concerts, June brings Fête de la Musique in Luxembourg every June.

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