Despite years-long attempts, efforts to erase the centuries-old Dutch tradition have proved futile.

The helper of the Dutch Santa Claus has been under attack for years. The traditional character of Black Pete, or Zwarte Piet, offended some because he is customarily portrayed by white people painting their faces black for the role, thereby embodying what many consider to be the offensive phenomenon of “blackface”. And if that were not enough, the Black Pete costume includes bright red lipstick, large earrings and an African-style wig.

Wat een mooi plaatje! Zwarte piet de grootste kindervriend van Nederland. Wat is daar nou mis mee? pic.twitter.com/TSBAKWKtZ8

— Strijder124 (@Strijder124) November 17, 2023

Zwarte Piet is a centuries-old tradition.

Het was zeer geslaagde dag in Deventer. Heel veel pepernoten uitgedeeld. Jong of oud, blank of gekleurd, iedereen vond het geweldig 👍🏻

Zwarte Piet blijft, wen er maar aan!

Met dank aan @ActiePieten voor de mooie beelden 💪🏻💪🏻👌🏻 pic.twitter.com/7rrmDB5wI2

— Nederlands Patriottisch Belang (@NL_Patriottisch) November 22, 2025

The Dutch Santa Claus does not live at the North Pole but in a palace in Madrid, where numerous Black Petes look after him. Once a year, on the second Saturday of November, he boards a steamboat and travels to the Netherlands to spend a few days there. When he arrives, he is usually greeted by the mayor, the event is broadcast on television, and many children wait for him on the quayside. There he mounts a white horse and, accompanied by the Black Petes, processes into the town.

He stays in the Netherlands until 5 December. During this period the children leave water and carrots out each evening for the horse, and Santa’s helpers hide small treats in the children’s shoes in return.

The group called “Kick Out Zwarte Piet” began protesting against the tradition in 2011 – arguing that the figure of Zwarte Piet is racist and exclusionary. In 2012 they set three goals. The first two were to abolish the tradition of Black Pete and to improve education relating to racism, slavery and the colonial past. The third goal was to make 1 July a national day of remembrance for the abolition of slavery. Over the years they disrupted numerous children’s events, but this year – since, according to their own claims, they have almost perfectly achieved their aims – the organisation dissolved.

However, as the Gates of Vienna article revealedthis was not the real reason for the organisation’s disbandment; rather, it was because they went bankrupt. Their support had already been dwindling for some time, and this year they no longer even had the money to buy ferry tickets to travel to an island and cause trouble during Santa’s arrival.

Moreover, many still dress up as true Zwarte Piets – to the great delight of the children.