Exploring Santa Claus Traditions in Eastern Europe

Santa Claus in Eastern Europe has many names, and many countries in Eastern Europe are visited by more than one Santa Claus character. St. Nicholas typically visits some children on December 5th (St. Nicholas Eve) or December 6th (St. Nicholas Day). Grandfather Frost or Baby Jesus commonly brings gifts on Christmas Eve. Consequently, some Santa Claus figures wait until New Year’s Eve to visit children. Explore the names and traditions of Eastern Europe’s Santa Clauses below.

The Russian Santa Claus

Names for Russia’s Santa:

• Дед Мороз (Ded Moroz – Grandfather Frost)

About the Russian Santa: Ded Moroz, or Grandfather Frost, is a stately older gentleman who is accompanied by a beautiful snow maiden named Snegurochka. They reside in Russia’s north, specifically in Veliky Ustyug.

The Czech Santa Claus

Names for the Czech Santa:

• Svatý Mikuláš (Saint Nicholas)
• Ježíšek (Baby Jesus)

About the Czech Santa: Saint Nicholas visits children on St. Nicholas Eve, where actors fill the streets to distribute sweets. Baby Jesus, residing in the Czech mountains, visits on Christmas Eve, magically decorates a tree, and leaves gifts for children.

Hungary’s Santa Claus

Names for Hungary’s Santa:

• Mikulás (Nicholas)
• Télapó (Old Man Winter)
• Jézuska or Kis Jézus (Baby Jesus)

About Hungary’s Santa: Mikulás is Hungary’s version of Saint Nicholas, while Baby Jesus visits on Christmas Eve.

Croatia’s Santa Claus

Names for Croatia’s Santa Claus:

• Sveti Nikola (Saint Nicholas)
• Djed Mraz (Grandfather Frost)
• Djed Božičnjak (Grandfather Christmas)

About Croatia’s Santa Claus: Sveti Nikola fills shoes with treats on St. Nicholas Eve. Djed Mraz is responsible for delivering gifts on Christmas Eve, and Croatian children may also receive small gifts on St. Lucy’s Day.

Poland’s Santa Claus

Names for Poland’s Santa Claus:

• Święty Mikołaj (Saint Nicholas)
• Gwiazdor

In Poland, Mikulaj sometimes stands in on St. Nicholas Day and Christmas Eve. Moreover, in some regions, Gwiazdor delivers gifts to children.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Santa Claus

Names for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Santa Claus:

• Djeda Mraz (Grandfather Frost)

Bulgaria’s Santa Claus

Names for Bulgaria’s Santa Claus:

• Дядо Коледа (Dyado Koleda – Grandfather Christmas)
• Дядо Мраз (Dyado Mraz – Grandfather Frost)

Albania’s Santa Claus

Names for Albania’s Santa Claus:

• Babagjyshi i Krishtlindjeve (Grandfather Christmas)
• Babadimri (Grandfather Winter)

Lithuania’s Santa Claus

Names for Lithuania’s Santa Claus:

• Senis Šaltis (Old Man Frost)
• Kalėdų Senelis (Christmas Grandfather)

Macedonia’s Santa Claus

Names for Macedonia’s Santa Claus:

• Дедо Мраз (Dedo Mraz – Grandfather Frost)

Slovakia’s Santa Claus

Names for Slovakia’s Santa Claus:

• Mikulas
• Ježiško
• Dedo Mraz

Slovenia’s Santa Claus

Names for Slovenia’s Santa Claus:

• Sveti Nikola (Saint Nicholas)
• Dedak Mraz (Grandfather Frost)

Romania and Moldova’s Santa Claus

Names for Romania’s and Moldova’s Santa Claus:

• Moș Crăciun (Father Christmas)
• Moș Nicolae (Father Nicholas)
• Moș Gerilă (Father Frost)

Serbia’s Santa Claus

Names for Serbia’s Santa Claus:

• Дедa Мрaз (Deda Mraz – Grandfather Frost)
• Божић Бата (Božić Bata – Christmas Brother)

Ukraine’s Santa Claus

Names for Ukraine’s Santa Claus:

• Svyatyy Mykolay
  Дід Мороз (Did Moroz – Grandfather Frost)

Latvia’s Santa Claus

Names for Latvia’s Santa Claus:

• Ziemassvētku vecītis (Christmas Grandfather)

Estonia’s Santa Claus

Names for Estonia’s Santa Claus:

• Jõuluvana