The Saint Nicolas Festivities In Nancy: A Magical Event
Only 1h30 by TGV from Paris, come and discover the world of Saint-Nicolas and experience the magic of the end-of-year celebrations in Lorraine! The Saint-Nicolas festivities are held in Nancy from the end of November to the beginning of January, culminating in the Saint-Nicolas weekend around 6 December.
An event not to be missed in Lorraine
The Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas à Nancy are an unmissable event in Lorraine. In Eastern France, this event is as famous as the famous Christmas market in Strasbourg!
Indeed, it is in Nancy that Saint Nicholas (the Lorraine festival par excellence) is celebrated with the most pomp.
Even if the official date of Saint Nicholas is December 6, in Nancy, the patron saint of children is celebrated for several days of popular jubilation, with parades, music, floats and sweets.
These festivities, which combine tradition and contemporary creation, light up the city and transform it for 40 days.
This event, which is prepared throughout the year, is marked by educational and participatory projects carried out in schools, youth and cultural centres and retirement homes.
All generations come together for these celebrations organised by hundreds of volunteers, professionals and artists.
Moreover, at each edition, Nancy receives a guest of honour who shares this typically Lorraine tradition.
Since 2018, this event is inscribed in the French inventory of intangible cultural heritage.
An extraordinary weekend
This year, the St. Nicholas celebrations return from November 19, 2021 to January 2, 2022.
As with every edition, the highlight of these 40 days of festivities will be the big St. Nicholas weekend.
This weekend, which falls this year on December 4 and 5, 2021, will have as its theme Fauna and Flora.
Some 98 performances will be given by 28 street arts companies and 15 sessions of playful and participatory animations will be offered.
On Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 6pm will be held a grand parade with parades and brass bands, a total of 16 performances given by 10 professional companies.
This grand parade will also include 23 floats from the municipalities and associations of the Greater Nancy metropolis and one of the floats will be dedicated to Krasnodar in Russia, the twin city guest of honor of the 2021 edition.
While the Advent period has barely begun, this extraordinary weekend will plunge the city of Nancy into the magic of the holidays.
A host of free activities
The Saint Nicholas Festivities are also free and open to all.
During this period, the majestic Place Stanislas hosts an illuminated tree, the Place de la Carrière is decorated with a Ferris wheel and rides during the big weekend and it is possible to skate on the ice quay.
In Nancy, the Christmas market is called the Villages of Saint Nicholas. This year, the city centre will host a route of 8 Villages allowing you to discover different and complementary atmospheres and programming each day.
An artistic route will also be offered in the city centre and in the neighbourhoods, transforming the city into an open-air art gallery.
Every evening, visitors will be able to rediscover the legend of Saint Nicolas thanks to a video mapping on the façade of the Town Hall. A moment full of colors and music to share with the family, at 6:15 pm, 7:15 pm (and 8:15 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and during the holidays).
Various highlights will punctuate these 40 days of festivities: gastronomy, markets of artists and craftsmen, shows, festivals, sports events or solidarity with bands and artists from Lorraine of France or the rest of Europe.
This new edition promises to have many surprises for all generations.
