Every year, Holland's version of Santa Claus -Sinterklaas - arrives in Amsterdam on a steamer from his residence in Madrid. After a welcome reception, he parades through the city accompanied by festive floats, bands and hundreds of helpers.

Sint Nicolaas arrives by boat on the Amstel via the Berlagebrug, the Nieuwe Herengracht and the Schippersgracht, and finishes his tour at the Scheepvaartmuseum around midday. The parade starts from there around half an hour later, heading to the Prins Hendrikkade, Damrak and on to the Vijzelstraat and the Weteringcircuit, finally arriving at the Leidseplein at about 2.30pm, where he addresses the children from the balcony of the Stadsschouwburg. 

Sinterklaas is a different character from his equivalents in England and the US. For a start, he lives in Spain; reasons for this are unclear, but it might have something to do with Spanish domination of the Low Countries in the past.

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