Sint-Niklaas (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Sinterklaas welcomed 20,428 visitors at the House of Sinterklaas in Sint-Niklaas. City council keeps the Salons building, budgets €1.5 million for renovations. The main figures are Geert Vandenhende, Mayor Lieven Dehandschutter, and Alderman Ghizlane Benabdellah.
As GVANews reported, Sinterklaas and his helpers welcomed their last visitors on Saturday, Dec 6, 2025, at the House of Sinterklaas on Stationsstraat in Sint-Niklaas. The festive attraction closed for the season after weeks of activity. Children and families came to meet the saint, share their wishes, and receive gifts.
What will happen to the House of Sinterklaas in Sint-Niklaas after 20,000 visitors?
At the same time, Sinterklaas received an important gift from the Sint-Niklaas city council. After years of debate about the historic Salons building, the council confirmed that it will remain under city ownership. Plans to sell the building have been permanently cancelled. The House of Sinterklaas will continue to serve as the saint’s official summer residence.
“The biggest gift this year is for Sinterklaas himself,”
says Geert Vandenhende, chairman of the Flemish Sint-Nicolaas Society.
Organisers of the House of Sinterklaas said their preference has always been the Salons building. They explored several other locations over the past few years, but they found that their events work best here. With the future now secured, organisers said they can expand their plans, make changes, and develop new ideas for the attraction.
“Due to the strikes, we had slightly fewer school visits this year, but that was more than offset by a higher number of free visits. We look back with more than our share of satisfaction,”
says Geert.
Over the past 4 weeks, a total of 20,428 visitors came to the building on Stationsstraat. To keep the building in good condition, the city announced a major renovation project. A budget of €1.5 million has been set aside for structural work, interior upgrades, and other necessary repairs.
“We want to ensure that Sinterklaas and his helpers can move into a decent home next year as well,”
say Mayor Lieven Dehandschutter (N-VA) and Alderman for the City of Sinterklaas, Ghizlane Benabdellah (Vooruit).
“The plumbing and technical facilities will be renovated, as will the roof of the Sinterklaas House.”
The De Salons building at Spratzensstraat in the Town of Sint Niklaas was originally constructed for textile dealer Edmond Meert in 1928. In addition to being used as a well-known banquet hall during the middle of the 20th
Comments
13 responses to “House of Sinterklaas in Sint-Niklaas Attracts 20,000 Visitors”
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20,000 visitors to see Sinterklaas? At this rate, the little fella might need an E.U.-sized security detail! 🤷♂️ Just hope they spent enough on coffee to keep up with all that festive cheer!
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20,000 visitors to see Sinterklaas? Must be a record for a guy who only works one day a year! 🎅💼 Who knew a bit of tinsel and some old bloke could keep the city council in a renovation frenzy?
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So, 20,000 visitors for Sinterklaas, eh? Must be nice – I mean, who wouldn’t want to queue up for a glimpse of a bloke in a red robe? 🎅💸
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20,000 visitors for Sinterklaas? Impressive! Must be nice to have a building renovation budget that rivals my quarterly profits. 🤑🎁
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Looks like Sinterklaas is living the high life in Sint-Niklaas with 20,000 visitors and a nice €1.5 million renovation to boot! Who knew spreading joy could come with such a posh price tag? 😂🏰
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20,000 visitors and a €1.5 million renovation for a glorified Santa’s summer pad? Sounds like a bargain, mate! 🎅💸 Must be nice to have the taxpayers fund such a “whimsical” holiday retreat! 🤷♂️
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20,000 visitors? Clearly, Sinterklaas has outdone himself—next year, let’s just throw in some gourmet hot chocolate and call it a five-star resort. 💁♂️💸
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Oh great, 20,000 people flocking to a glorified Santa’s workshop—who knew a €1.5 million renovation would be the secret recipe for holiday cheer? 😂 It’s like the city council discovered gold at the end of the, uh, chimney!
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20,000 visitors? Looks like Sinterklaas has outdone even the best Brussels sprout festival! 🎉 With €1.5 million for renovations, I suppose he’ll need a place worthy of his royal stature—better than my flat, at least! 😂
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What a shocker—20,000 visitors flocking to a place where a man in a robe hands out presents! Must be the best-kept secret since the last Brussels sprout festival! 🎁🙄
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So, Sinterklaas rakes in 20,000 visitors and the council decides to throw €1.5 million at fixing up his summer pad? Brilliant strategy—who wouldn’t want a luxury retreat for a guy who already has a sleigh! 🎅💸
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20,000 visitors, eh? I suppose Sinterklaas needed that €1.5 million renovation for all the “hard work” of handing out gifts—next year, maybe they’ll throw in a spa day for the old chap too! 😂
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20,000 visitors for a guy in a red suit? Must be the most riveting show since the last Eurozone summit! 🎭💸
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