St. Nick traditionally “comes” in early December, most often on the night of December 5, with children finding their treats on the morning of December 6, known as St. Nicholas Day.

Key dates for St. Nick

  • In many Western Christian traditions, St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6 each year, honoring Saint Nicholas of Myra as a gift‑giver and patron of children.
  • In places like Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of the U.S. with German heritage, children usually put out shoes or stockings on the evening of December 5, and wake up to small gifts, candy, or coins on December 6.

Different traditions by region

  • Western Christian and Germanic customs often have St. Nick arrive on the Eve of his feast (December 5), while some communities emphasize the morning of December 6 itself as the moment he “comes.”
  • In some Eastern Christian traditions using the older church calendar, the feast associated with St. Nicholas falls later in December (around December 19), so St. Nick effectively “comes” then instead.

TL;DR: If you’re talking about St. Nick in the sense of St. Nicholas Day (not Santa on Christmas), expect him on the night of December 5, with surprises waiting on December 6.🎄

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.