Sint Niklaas, the Belgian Santa, visits Brewery Ommegang on Saturday, December 12. He arrives with his side-kick Zwarte Piet (Black Peter), in a holiday wagon drawn by a pair of magnificent Belgian draft horses. Many people--about two hundred of them delighted, red-cheeked children--usually turn out to welcome St. Nik.

St. Nik and Black Peter will spend several hours letting kids sit on their laps for pictures, telling folk tales, and entertaining both youngsters and adults. Kids can color pictures, sing songs and enjoy the decorations.

St. Nik brings food and gift bags for the kids. He oversees the serving of Belgian waffles, Clementines, Belgian Speculaas cookies, hot chocolate, hot cider, and candies. Meanwhile, Bells and Motley will play Medieval, Renaissance, and Traditional European Holiday Music, on historic instruments. (Picture on the right shows Sondra on Harp, John on Hurdy Gurdy).

Adults and kids alike can ride the brewery grounds on Santa's wagon; the adults can take brewery tours and enjoy tastings of all six of our Belgian-style ales. Finally,as the sun goes down, around 3pm, Sint Niklaas bustles off to visit other folks, leaving only a "Ho-Ho-Ho!" echoing in the dusk.

This is a free event for the entire family.