Many Sinterklaas parties canceled over coronavirus: report

There won't be many traditional Sinterklaas arrival parties in the Netherlands this year, according to Marc Gilling of the Sint en Pietengilden. Many Sinterklaas committees have already decided to scrap their plans for the arrival party and look for coronavirus-proof alternatives, he said to newspaper AD.

Despite Sinterklaas' arrival still being months away, the coronavirus and the uncertainty it brings with it have already thrown a spanner in the works for the Sinterklaas committees. They start organizing months in advance, arranging volunteers, subsidies and permits.

That is why Gilling feels confident in his prediction. "The Sint will quietly enter the country in November," he said, calling it "very unfortunate". "There won't be many arrivals this year. And if the Snit does actually arrive somewhere, it will not be public."

According to him, Sinterklaas committees are considering alternatives like online arrival parties and unannounced Sinterklaas visits in neighborhoods or at schools.