Who is Samichlaus?

Samichlaus is the Swiss version of St. Nicholas. He visits on or around December 6, almost three weeks before the Christkind brings presents on Christmas Eve. He wears a long red robe and carries a staff. He never comes alone, his companion, Schmutzli, is his helper. Schmutzli is dressed in dark brown, he carries the sack of treats and a big book with notes on each child’s year. These range from the proud moments and the ones that could have gone better.

What kids do. Kids traditionally prepare a short poem, a song, or a piece of music for Samichlaus.. In return, they get a Säckli. The traditional contents are gingerbread, mandarins, nuts, chocolate, and Tirggel, the hard Zurich honey biscuits. At events, the Säckli is usually included. For a home visit, you buy the treats and assemble the sack yourself and Samichlaus hands them out.

What age is it best for? Kids from about three or four get the most out of it. For younger or shy kids, the parade or a forest hut is easier than a visit at home, because they can watch from a parent’s arms first.

What to wear. If you’re attending an event that is outside dress everyone warmly, with boots for the forest paths.

The big events

Samichlaus’s forest huts

In late November and early December, Samichlaus and Schmutzli spend a few days in small huts in the woods, and families walk through the forest to visit them. You follow the signs along the forest path, wait your turn, and go inside, where Samichlaus talks with the kids for a few minutes. It’s a good first meeting for young or shy kids, because the visit is short and you stay with them the whole time.

Book a home visit

For many families, the real Samichlaus moment is a home visit. Samichlaus starts with a story, Schmutzli reads from the book, the kids say their verse or sing, and at the end they empty the sack together.

There are two ways to book in Zurich: through the St. Nikolausgesellschaft, which covers the whole city, or through a neighborhood group if your area has one.

How to book with the St. Nikolausgesellschaft

The St. Nikolausgesellschaft der Stadt Zürich is the society behind the parade and the Käferberg hut, and it sends Samichlaus and Schmutzli to homes across the city.

1. Choose your visit. Family visits are for kids aged 4 and up. The price depends on how many kids there are:
   • up to 3 kids: 30 minutes, CHF 80
   • 4 to 6 kids: 45 minutes, CHF 100
   • 7 to 10 kids: 60 minutes, CHF 120
2. Book early. You can book online at samichlaus-zuerich.ch/samichlaus-buchen, call the Samichlaus office at 044 454 70 00 (open October to December), or email zentrale@samichlaus-zuerich.ch. The office’s own advice is that the earlier you get in touch, the better. Visits are in the morning, at midday, or in the evening, depending on what’s still free.
3. Fill in the Gwunderliste. This is the list Schmutzli reads from, and it comes with your booking confirmation. Fill it in by hand or online and print it. Write clearly, and give no more than three good points and two things to work on for each child.
4. Leave everything out before the visit. Put the treats for the Säckli and the Gwunderliste in your mailbox, in the stairwell, or somewhere else the visitors can see easily but the kids won’t.
5. Expect a small window. Depending on weather and traffic, Samichlaus can arrive up to 15 minutes early or late.

Neighborhood groups

Some neighborhoods have their own volunteer Samichlaus groups, usually attached to a parish. To find one near you, search by area in the directory at chlaus.ch. These two have published their 2026 dates: