1,200 children to greet Saint Nicolas' arrival by boat

Children can watch Saint Nicolas arrive in Brussels by boat on Tuesday - the morning before he travels throughout the country to leave gifts by chimneys.

For a few years now, the Brussels region has invited Saint Nicolas by boat. The event has proven very popular and is switching sides of the canal this year.

More than 1,200 children between five and eight years old, from 20 schools, are expected to be on hand to greet him.

The children arrive at 9.30 and after a warm-up by some of the Saint's helpers they will join a brass band and Brussels minister-president Rudi Vervoort in loudly and enthusiastically greeting Saint Nicolas when his boat docks on the Quai Beco at 10:00.

This will start the party which will include a horseback parade, music, hot drinks and meetings with the Saint in the "Throne Room" specially set up in Quay01. The celebrations will end at midday with the distribution of sweets and surprises.