Nicolinas
| Nicolinas Festas Nicolinas | |
|---|---|
The logo of the Nicolinas, located at the Torre dos Almadas, represents a traditional Nicolino playing with his drum | |
| Genre | Festivities in honor of Saint Nicholas |
| Begins | 29 November |
| Ends | 7 December |
| Frequency | Once per year |
| Location(s) | 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 to honor Saint Nicholas that occur in the Portuguese city of Guimarães. Held between 29 November and 7 December, they celebrate the old traditions and camaraderie of the inhabitants of Guimarães, predominantly among its students. The first known literary reference to the Nicolinas dates from 1664, the year after the construction of the Chapel of St. Nicholas in Guimarães, although historical evidence suggests that the festivities predate this time.
The Nicolinas consist of eight main festivities: 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 ten male high school students. The people who actively participate in the festivities are called Nicolinos.