Nicolinas
| Nicolinas Festas Nicolinas | |
|---|---|
The logo of the Nicolinas, located at the Torre dos Almadas, silhouettes a traditional Nicolino playing a drum. | |
| Genre | Festivities in honor of Saint Nicholas |
| Begins | 29 November |
| Ends | 7 December |
| Frequency | Once per year |
| Location | Guimarães |
| Country | Portugal |
| Years active | 1500s/1600s – present |
| Name given to the participants | Nicolinos |
| Activity |
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| Organised by | Nicolinas Festivities Committee |
| Website | Official website |
The Nicolinas (Portuguese: Festas Nicolinas) are a series of festivities held in honor of Saint Nicholas in the Portuguese city of Guimarães. Observed annually from 29 November to 7 December, they celebrate local traditions and camaraderie (particularly among students). The first known literary reference to the Nicolinas dates to 1664, the year after the construction of the Chapel of St Nicholas in Guimarães; historical evidence, however, suggests that they predate this.
The Nicolinas consist of eight main events: the Pinheiro, the Novenas, the Danças de São Nicolau, the Posses e Magusto, the Pregão, the Maçãzinhas, the Baile da Saudade and the Roubalheiras. They are organized by the Nicolinas Festivities Committee, a group of 10 male high-school students. Active participants are known as "Nicolinos".