CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Czech celebrations of Christmas carried into Czech Village in Cedar Rapids, with more to come this weekend.
The Svatý Mikuláš tradition, known in the United States as St. Nicholas Day, was marked on Dec. 5, 2025, the day before it’s traditionally celebrated in the Czech Republic.
Czech Village in Cedar Rapids has long held its annual celebration on the first Friday of December.
The Czech Village Association and Czech Heritage Foundation hosted the Svatý Mikuláš celebration, featuring cookies, hot cocoa and a presentation about Czech holiday traditions inside Up In Smoke BBQ, 92 16th Ave. SW.
Costumed performers dressed as Svatý Mikuláš (St. Nicholas) along with an anděl, the Czech word for angel, and čert, or devil, handed out candy to children who have been good, while the čert carried a basket of potatoes for those on the naughty list.
Svatý Mikuláš (St. Nicholas) visits with a baby during the celebration in Up In Smoke BBQ in Czech Village. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Pam Lewis, co-owner of Czech Village Antiques, showed slides of carp swimming in bathtubs in the Czech Republic and other holiday traditions.
Participants moved outdoors on the chilly night to the Kosek Bandstand, where Miss Czech-Slovak U.S. Madelyn Karstedt of Texas, and First Runner-up Isabel Sherman, of Cedar Rapids, led the crowd in Christmas carols, joined by three visitors who sang Czech carols.
Other events this weekend include the Old World Christmas Market at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, 1400 Inspiration Place SW, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 6 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7, 2025.
Horse-drawn wagon rides also will be featured from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. Dec. 6 in Czech Village.
The annual Very Cherry Holiday is taking place this Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cherry Building, 329 10th Ave. SE, in New Bohemia.
Read more: End of an era in Czech Village and see more photos from Czech Village, below:
No Comments Yet