Destinations Europe Santa Claus in Eastern Europe Eastern Europe's Santa Claus Names and Traditions By Kerry Kubilius Kerry Kubilius Kerry Kubilius is a freelance writer who specializes in Eastern European history, culture, current events, language, and travel. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 06/03/19 Share Pin Email Santa Claus in Eastern Europe has many names - and many countries in Eastern Europe are visited by more than one Santa Claus character. St. Nicholas visits some children on December 5th (St. Nicholas Eve) or December 6th (St. Nicholas Day). Grandfather Frost or Baby Jesus is usually responsible for bringing gifts on Christmas Eve. Some Santa Claus figures wait until New Year's Eve to visit children. Learn more about the names and traditions of Eastern Europe's Santa Clauses below. 01 of 17 The Russian Santa Claus Names for Russia's Santa: Дед Мороз (Ded Moroz - Grandfather Frost) About the Russian Santa: Ded Moroz, or Grandfather Frost, is a stately older gentleman who is accompanied by a beautiful snow maiden named Snegurochka. They make their home in Russia's north, Veliky Ustyug. Russia's Christmas Traditions 02 of 17 The Czech Santa Claus Names for the Czech Santa: Svatý Mikuláš (Saint Nicholas) Ježíšek (Baby Jesus) About the Czech Santa: Saint Nicholas visits children on St. Nicholas Eve, and actors take to the streets to pass out sweets. Baby Jesus, who lives in the Czech mountains, visits on Christmas Eve and magically decorates a tree and leaves gifts for children. Czech Christmas Traditions 03 of 17 Hungary's Santa Claus Names for Hungary's Santa: Mikulás (Nicholas)Télapó (Old Man Winter)Jézuska or Kis Jézus (Baby Jesus) About Hungary's Santa: Mikulas is Hungary's answer to Saint Nicholas. Baby Jesus visits on Christmas Eve. Hungary's Christmas Traditions 04 of 17 Croatia's Santa Claus Names for Croatia's Santa Claus: Sveti Nikola (Saint Nicholas)Djed Mraz (Grandfather Frost) Djed Božičnjak (Grandfather Christmas) About Croatia's Santa Claus: Sveti Nikola fills shoes with treats on St. Nicholas Eve. Djed Mraz is responsible for delivering gifts on Christmas Eve. Croatian children may also receive small gifts on St. Lucy's Day. Croatia's Christmas Traditions Continue to 5 of 17 below. 05 of 17 Poland's Santa Claus Names for Poland's Santa Claus: Święty Mikołaj (Saint Nicholas)Gwiazdor Poland's Mikulaj sometimes stands in on St. Nicholas Day and Christmas Eve. In some regions, Gwiazdor is responsile for bringing gitfts to children. Poland's Christmas Traditions 06 of 17 Bosnia and Herzegovina's Santa Claus Names for Bosnia and Herzegovina's Santa Claus: Djeda Mraz (Grandfather Frost) 07 of 17 Bulgaria's Santa Claus Names for Bulgaria's Santa Claus: Дядо Коледа (Dyado Koleda - Grandfather Christmas)Дядо Мраз (Dyado Mraz - Grandfather Frost) Bulgaria's Christams Traditons 08 of 17 Albania's Santa Claus Names for Albania's Santa Claus: Babagjyshi i Krishtlindjeve (Grandfather Christmas)Babadimri (Grandfather Winter) Continue to 9 of 17 below. 09 of 17 Lithuania's Santa Claus Names for Lithuania's Santa Claus: Senis Šaltis (Old Man Frost) Kalėdų Senelis (Christmas Grandfather) Lithuania's Christmas Traditions 10 of 17 Macedonia's Santa Claus Names for Macedonia's Santa Claus: Дедо Мраз (Dedo Mraz – Grandfather Frost) 11 of 17 Slovakia's Santa Claus Names for Slovakia's Santa Claus: MikulasJežiškoDedo Mraz Slovakia's Christmas Traditions 12 of 17 Slovenia's Santa Claus Names for Slovenia's Santa Claus: Sveti Nikola (Saint NicholasDedak Mraz (Grandfather Frost) Slovenia's Christams Traditions Continue to 13 of 17 below. 13 of 17 Romania and Moldova's Santa Claus Names for Romania's and Moldova's Santa Claus: Moș Crăciun (Father Christmas)Moș Nicolae (Father Nicholas)Moș Gerilă (Father Frost) Romania's Christmas Traditions 14 of 17 Serbia's Santa Claus Names for Serbia's Santa Claus: Дедa Мрaз (Deda Mraz - Grandfather Frost)Божић Бата (Božić Bata - Christmas Brother) 15 of 17 Ukraine's Santa Claus Names for Ukraine's Santa Claus: Svyatyy MykolayДід Мороз (Did Moroz – Grandfather Frost) Ukraine's Christmas Traditions 16 of 17 Latvia's Santa Claus Names for Latvia's Santa Claus: Ziemassvētku vecītis (Christmas Grandfather) Continue to 17 of 17 below. 17 of 17 Estonia's Santa Claus Names for Estonia's Santa Claus: Jõuluvana Estonia's Christmas Traditions Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit