St. Nicholas, December 6
Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor in the fourth century, Nicholas was famous for secret generosity, such as tossing bags of gold through a window to save three poor girls. His feast became a day of gifts for children. Through the Dutch Sinterklaas, he is the ancestor of Santa Claus.
On the General Roman Calendar, December 6 is an optional memorial: Saint Nicholas, bishop.
Name days on December 6
In countries that keep name days, December 6 is the day for people named Nicholas, Nick, Nicole, and Nicola. These names come from the same saint, as variants, nicknames or forms used in other languages.
| Name | Feast day |
|---|---|
| Nicholas | December 6 |
| Nick | December 6 |
| Nicole | December 6 |
| Nicola | December 6 |
December 6 on the calendar
December 6 is the 340th day of the year (the 341st in a leap year), with 25 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday |
| 2027 | Monday |
| 2028 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | Thursday |
| 2030 | Friday |
Keeping December 6
December 6 falls during Advent. As an optional memorial, each parish or priest may choose whether to celebrate it. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival. If you know someone named Nicholas, Nick, Nicole, and Nicola, it is a good day to send a note.
Saints of the week around December 6
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| December 3 | St. Francis Xavier |
| December 4 | St. John Damascene |
| December 5 | St. Sabbas |
| December 7 | St. Ambrose |
| December 8 | Immaculate Conception |
| December 9 | St. Juan Diego |
The day before, December 5, is the day of St. Sabbas. The day after, December 7, belongs to St. Ambrose. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.