In many European lands, celebrations honoring St. Nicholas, held on or near his feast day Dec. 6, are considered to be the kickoff to the full-blown holiday season and are important in their own right.

On the night of Dec. 5, children from many cultures will be setting out a shoe or sneaker in hopes the kindly saint will leave them a small toy or sweet treats.

St. Nicholas of Myra, a fourth-century bishop hailing from what is now Turkey, is remembered for his kindness and generosity, particularly toward those at the lowest rungs of society.

He is the patron saint of children, sailors, bakers, brides, merchants and the falsely accused, the countries of Austria, Belgium and Greece, and the cities of Bari, Italy; Nancy, France; Fribourg, Switzerland; and countless other places. Here are some ways to celebrate the figure who inspired Santa Claus:

Prague, Czech Republic: Mikulas, or St. Nicholas Day, is traditionally celebrated on Dec. 5. Beginning at approximately 4 p.m., Mikulas, accompanied by an angel and a devil, will make his way around the Old Town Square, pausing to ask the children in his midst if they’ve been on their best behavior over the past year. After a child sings a song or recites a poem, he or she will be presented with a treat. A stage set up at Wenceslas Square offers more fun in the form of games and competitions for the young ones. Online: pragueexperience.com/events/mikulas.asp

Nancy, France: Nancy celebrates its “Grand week-end de saint Nicolas” on Dec. 6-7 in 2025. The city bedecked in its Christmas finery is the site of a bustling holiday market at which visitors are sure to find ‘pain d’épices’, gingerbread baked in the shape of the saint himself or his companion, the donkey. A massive tree, towering Ferris wheel and video-mapping projections against the façade of the Town Hall lend additional festive spirit. The main event, a huge parade featuring artists, puppets and assorted celebrities and historical figures, gets underway at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Online: tinyurl.com/52a22h4m

Salzburg, Austria: In many Alpine regions, a prelude to the celebrations honoring the benevolent St. Nicholas is a much darker holiday. Krampusnacht, or Night of the Krampus, gives these demonic figures dressed in furs, wearing fearsome carved wooden masks and cracking whips or chains, free rein to frighten would-be naughty children into their best behavior. The various groups who keep these traditions alive take part in “Krampuslauf,” late afternoon or evening events in which they take to the streets en masse, interacting with, but not actually harming, the spectators. The Krampus are set to descend upon Salzburg’s Christkindlmarkt at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5. Online: tinyurl.com/5m6rh7un

Munich, Germany: The Krampus also pay a visit to Munich’s Christmas market. From 3 p.m.-5 p.m. on Dec. 14, expect up to 300 of these frightening creatures to pass along a route starting at Augustiner Strasse and continuing through the pedestrian zone to Färbergraben, Rosental and Viktualienmarkt before reaching the Old Town Hall. Online: christkindlmarkt-muenchen.de/en/home

Bari, Italy: With the relics of St. Nicholas resting in the basilica erected in his honor, Dec. 6 is a special day in the Apulian capital. Well before dawn, the faithful begin to stream into the streets of the Old Town, making their way toward the celebration of Mass. They’ll also be certain to pay a visit to St. Nicholas’ crypt. Once formalities in honor of the saint are behind them, it’s time for the traditional breakfast: hot chocolate, likely accompanied by sweets and local street foods such as sgagliozze, a fried polenta, and popizze, fried dough balls. Online: tinyurl.com/mzc8z67n

Fribourg, Switzerland: The grand procession in which St. Nicholas rides his donkey to the city’s cathedral is set for Dec. 6. The saint sets off from St. Michael’s College at around 5 p.m. and distributes honey-flavored cookies along his way. Entertainment laid on for the children on the big day typically includes donkey rides, crafting lanterns and face painting. Online: tinyurl.com/yef5envn

Agios Nikolaos, Crete: St. Nicholas’ patronage of sailors means that coastal communities throughout Greece feel a special connection with this saint. In his namesake town on the island of Crete, St. Nicholas Day festivities held on Dec. 6 take the form of early-morning church services; a procession with an icon bearing his image; feasting on dishes featuring seafood, including cod or fish soup; and the elaborate decoration of the fishing vessels referred to as Karavakia with blue and white garlands and thousands of twinkling lights. The festive décor is kept on the boats throughout the holiday season and concludes with Epiphany Jan. 6. Online: tinyurl.com/mrvuk69f