Santa Returns with Holiday Cheer!
On December 7, 2025, the Polish National Alliance hosted its annual Santa Comes to PNA (Mikołajki) event at the Home Office in Chicago. This festive family celebration, inspired by the Polish tradition of St. Nicholas, drew in more than 120 guests, over 60 of them excited children ready for holiday magic!
St. Nicholas, a fourth-century bishop known for his generosity, inspired the modern Santa Claus. In Poland and several other countries, children celebrate Mikołajki on December 6 by leaving out their shoes and hoping to find small gifts the next morning. This tradition reflects the spirit of giving during the holidays.
The PNA is proud to keep this custom alive each year. The afternoon kicked off with a pizza lunch, followed by face painting and games led by Lulu & Lolo entertainers. As always, the most exciting moment of the afternoon was the arrival of Santa Claus. Children lined up to take photos with him and received a gift of sweet treats and toys. This year, each child had their photo professionally taken by Dariusz Bednarczyk, also known as StelmachLens.
We extend our thanks to Mateusz Rachwalski for portraying Santa, and to the many high school and college students who volunteered as elves.
This year’s Mikołajki also included a charitable effort. The Polish National Alliance is supporting Dom Samotnej Matki (Home of the Single Mother), which provides safety and shelter for mothers and children in difficult situations, including those escaping domestic violence. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the organization before Christmas. This season is a reminder of how important it is to support those who need help.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s Santa Comes to PNA. We look forward to seeing you again next year for another joyful Mikołajki celebration.
Photos by StelmachLens
