In collaboration with the Arany János Hungarian School and the Hungarian Scout Troops in New York, the Tulipán Foundation recently hosted its annual St. Nick’s Day celebration at the Hungarian House in New York City. This family-friendly event brought Hungarian holiday traditions to life, and attendees of all ages were invited to join the fun.
Festivities began with a series of holiday crafts, led by talented folk artists and teachers from the Nádudvar Folk Handicraft Vocational High School, Hungary’s leading institution for traditional craftsmanship education, which regularly receives support through grants from the Tulipán Foundation. These hands-on workshops will allowed guests to create their own holiday decorations inspired by our rich cultural heritage.
From weaving traditional straw ornaments and creating custom rag dolls, there was a flurry of activity for all to enjoy. Much of the excitement centered around our first-ever leather crafting activity, where guests eagerly tried their hand at using a traditional embossing tool to create personalized keychains and bracelets.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of the day was a special visit from St. Nick himself. Children had the unique opportunity to meet the jolly saint in person, sit on his lap, and receive a traditional Mikulás csomag—a red bag brimming with sweet treats. Beyond this magical encounter, families savored classic Hungarian delicacies and reveled in the festive music, fully immersing themselves in the joy and spirit of the season.
The Tulipán Foundation is grateful to all the families, artists, and volunteers who made this event a success. We are proud to have brought together the Hungarian American community to celebrate St. Nick’s Day, and we look forward to continuing this tradition for years to come, keeping Hungarian culture alive and flourishing through shared experiences and creativity.
