Saint Nicholas celebration
Overview
Intro
Every year during the first weekend of December, the city of Fribourg honours its patron saint, St. Nicholas, with a special celebration.
HISTORY:In Fribourg, the anniversary of the Saint's death is a festival firmly rooted in tradition. At the end of the day, St. Nicholas, escorted by the whipping fathers, rides out on a donkey and greets the crowds, handing out sweets to the children. At the end of the procession, he addresses the people of Fribourg, who have come to celebrate him, with a speech inspired by the events of the past year. The procession is accompanied by a market selling sweets and handicrafts. Patron saint of Russia, the city and canton of Fribourg, sailors and children, St. Nicholas was bishop of Myre (in present-day Turkey) in the Byzantine period around the 4th century.
PARADE:As soon as night falls, St. Nicholas leaves Collège St-Michel, mounted on his donkey and greeting and blessing the crowds. Escorted by the whipping fathers and his entire troop (donkey driver, cantor, carriage-bearer, butcher), he distributes biscuits all along the route. He advances towards the Cathedral to the sound of the St-Michel choir, the Marmousets, the Enchanteurs, the Fifres and the Fanfare of the Collège St-Michel. From the terrace of St-Nicolas Cathedral, he addresses the city's "Children" in French and German.The procession officially departs at 5pm.The speech begins at around 6pm. A giant screen rebroadcasts it live on the Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville.
ROUTES :rue du Collège St-Michel - rue de Romont - rue de Lausanne - rue du Pont Muré - stop in front of St-Nicolas Cathedral - speeches - return via rue de Lausanne and rue St-Michel...
THE FESTIVAL TAKES PLACE EVERY YEAR ON THE FIRST WEEKEND IN DECEMBER.
| Contact address |
Fribourg Tourisme et Région
Fribourg 1700 Fribourg +41 (0)26 350 11 11 info@fribourgtourisme.ch |
|---|---|
| Location |
Fribourg Tourisme et Région Place Jean Tinguely 1 1700 Fribourg Switzerland |
| Event Homepage | https://fribourg.ch/en/fribourg/events/saint-nicholas-celebration/ |
The content presented here is provided and updated by regional/local tourist offices or event organisers, which is why Switzerland Tourism is unable to guarantee the correctness of the contents.
Event dates
- 04 December 2026
- 05 December 2026
- 06 December 2026