Svatý Mikuláš (St. Nicholas) center, stands in front of the Kosek Bandstand with an anděl — angel — and čert, or devil, Dec. 6, 2024, in Czech Village in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A Czech holiday known as Svatý Mikuláš was marked on its traditional day on Dec. 6, 2024, in Czech Village.

The tradition, known in the United States as St. Nicholas Day, is celebrated in the Czech Republic on Dec. 6, while Czech Village in Cedar Rapids has long held its annual celebration on the first Friday of December, which coincided this year with the traditional day.

Festivities started at 76 16th Ave. SW, a vacant storefront in Czech Village, where the Czech Village Association and Czech Heritage Foundation hosted the Svatý Mikuláš celebration, featuring cookies, hot cocoa and a presentation about Czech holiday traditions.

The Svatý Mikuláš celebration began indoors in Czech Village. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

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.

Participants moved outdoors on the frigid night to the Kosek Bandstand, where a quartet of musicians, members of the Hawkeye Tailgate Band, performed Christmas carols against the backdrop of the Czech Village Christmas tree.

The group of University of Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band alumni, which plays at football tailgating parties, also threw in the Hawkeye Fight Song and the polka tune, “In Heaven There is No Beer,” a song played after Hawkeye victories.

A quartet of Hawkeye Marching Band alumni performs during the Svatý Mikuláš celebration at the Kosek Bandstand. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

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. 7 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 8, 2024.

The annual Very Cherry Holiday also is taking place this Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cherry Building, 329 10th Ave. SE, in New Bohemia.

Both Saturday and Sunday’s event at the museum includes Culinary Tastes with Chef Tom, with Czech and Slovak favorite dishes, desserts and appetizers.

Learn about other Czech holiday traditions and see more photos from the celebration in Czech Village: