Zug,29.11.2018
Where you can see St. Nicholas this year
This article was orginally posted on October 18, we hope many of you signed up for the St. Nicholas visits. As it contains relevant information about the upcoming St. Nicholas events, we are sharing it with you again!
We wish you a wonderful advent time. The ZUG4YOU team.
Celebrated on 6 December in Switzerland, St. Nicholas is a beautiful custom that families can look forward to. Less known amongst expats, St. Nicholas, who is known as Samichlaus in Swiss German, distributes treats such as chocolate, nuts and fruit to children. This differs somewhat from the Anglo-Saxon tradition of Father Christmas, the jolly man who delivers gifts and fills stockings just in time for Christmas Day.
The tradition dates back to the fourth century Nicholas of Myrna, a bishop who is the patron saint of children - hence why Samichlaus is often dressed as a bishop and does not necessarily always wear red, though he does sport a white beard. Accompanying him are his forbidding cane-wielding helpers, known as Schmutzli, whom have undergone an image softening as of late. St. Nicholas praises the children and points out the good things, but at the same time gains enough trust to point out where the children could improve.
St. Nicholas also does home visits for which registration is required and open as of now. Set the tone for upcoming Christmas at your household:
Zug
The procession will start at 5.30pm from the Gut Hirt Church on Saturday, 1 December. Samichlaus tells a story in church and then distributes treats to the service. Visits to families take place between 1 and 9 December. Samichlaus speaks dialect, German and upon request English. Registration for home visits closes 9 November. Signup and information (in German) here.
Baar
Samichlaus will be making his appearance on Saturday, 1 December at the Christchindlimärt (market). There will be a procession as well as a food and drinks stand led by Samichlaus. Visits to families take place between 5 and 8 December. Samichlaus speaks only German. Registration for home visits closes 21 November. Signup and information (in German) here.
Cham
A lantern service will be held on Saturday, 1 December starting at the Pfarreiheim in Cham at 6pm. A procession follows. Visits to families take place between 4 and 7 December. Registration for home visits closes 6 November. Signup and information (in German) here.
Hünenberg
Celebrations will be held in the Church of the Holy Spirit on Wednesday, 5 December at 6.45pm. This will be followed by the distribution of presents to children and a procession with followers carrying cow bells, decorative lanterns and whips. Visits to families take place between 4 and 7 December. Registration for home visits closes 12 November. Signup and information (in German) here.
Oberwil
Since 1963, Samichlaus has been arriving by boat to Oberwil. Visitors can gather along the Artherstrasse at 5.25pm on Tuesday, 4 December and join the procession to Tellenörtli, where Samichlaus will be greeted with a song and then accompanied to the schoolhouse. Following performances by the pupils, Samichlaus will distribute sweet bread. Visits to families take place between 5 and 7 December. Registration for home visits closes 24 November. Signup sheets will be posted to all households directly. More information (in German) here.
Steinhausen
This year’s procession starts at 6.45pm on Friday, 30 November at the Schuwies Bastelshop. The procession will continue along Neudorfstrasse, Tellenmattstrasse, Hasenbergstrasse, Bannstrasse, Bahnhofstrasse and culminate at Dorfplatz. Registration for home visits closes 16 November. Signup and information (in German) here.
Risch-Rotkreuz
A service will be held on Sunday, 2 December at 10.15am where Samichlaus and his entourage will be present. Visits to families take place between 30 November and 6 December. Registration for home visits closes 12 November. Signup and information (in German) here.
Unterägeri
On 5 December, the annual Chlauseseln takes place from 5pm whereby Samichlaus and his entourage make their way from door to door. Visits to families take place between 4 and 8 December. Registration for home visits closes 10 November. Signup and information (in German) here.
Oberägeri
On 5 December, the annual Chlauseseln takes place from 5pm whereby Samichlaus and his entourage make their way from door to door. Typically, Samichlaus who is accompanied by Schmutzli enters the house and presents the children with gingerbread, tangerines and nuts once they have recited a poem or a song. Visits to families take place upon request. Signup and information (in German) here.
An exhaustive list of all St. Nicholas events in Zug is available here.