Saint Nicholas comes with the cart across the lake.

Radiant children's eyes await St. Nicholas

When, at the end of November, the children of the village of Obertraun gather by the shores of Lake Hallstatt on an evening, St. Nicholas is expected. This is a very special moment, as St. Nicholas arrives in Obertraun with a traditional wooden boat on Lake Hallstatt.

He is accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht, who carries a large sack filled with apples, nuts, and chocolate, as well as the Obertraun brass players.

The gentle lapping of the lake heightens the excitement and anticipation among the children until finally, the carriage with St. Nicholas slowly emerges from the darkness of the night and reaches the shore of the lake. With shining eyes, the children recite a poem for St. Nicholas. In return, they are rewarded with gifts, and then he disappears back into the waters of Lake Hallstatt with his carriage.

To shorten the waiting time, the flute children from the music school and some young musicians from Obertraun play by the shore.

To warm up, there is a punch and cookie stand. This year, there is once again the opportunity to visit a small but delightful Christmas market starting at 2:30 PM!

Because St. Nicholas comes when it’s dark! The Krampus stays home on this day.

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