Christmas celebrations in the mountains with children 2026 – why a joint trip is the be...

For children, St. Nicholas Day is the first sign that Christmas is near. For parents, it often means another shopping list and searching for a gift that will bring joy for more than a few days. More and more families are choosing a different approach: instead of a package under the pillow, a shared trip where the gift is time spent together.

Below, we explain when St. Nicholas Day falls in 2026, what happens during the St. Nicholas weekend in Świeradów-Zdrój, in the Jizera Mountains, and how to plan such a trip with children of different ages.

St. Nicholas Day 2026 falls on a Sunday

This year, December 6 falls on a Sunday. It is a convenient arrangement, as the St. Nicholas trip fits into a regular weekend: arrive on Friday after school and work, and return on Sunday evening. There is no need to take time off or have children miss classes. Children therefore spend St. Nicholas Day itself on the trip, rather than travelling to school.

Elements Hotel & SPA has prepared a package for this date: St. Nicholas Day at a hotel with a pool, available from December 4 to 6, 2026. It includes buffet breakfasts and dinners, with a separate buffet for children, unlimited access to the wellness area, and a programme for the youngest guests throughout the weekend. Check-in starts at 16:00, so arriving on Friday afternoon does not mean losing part of your stay.

Time instead of another toy

Children rarely remember what they received for St. Nicholas Day several years ago. They are much more likely to remember where they went and what they did together with their parents. A shared trip provides what is missing during an ordinary week: parents who are not rushing to work, cooking or cleaning. For two days, the family gets all their attention.

A St. Nicholas trip has another advantage. Everyone receives a gift, not just the children. Parents relax by the pool and in the sauna, older siblings enjoy their own attractions, and the youngest experience meeting Santa in scenery that cannot be recreated at home. This is a gift that will not end up at the back of a wardrobe after a week. There is also a package from Santa, as every child receives a gift in their room as part of the package.

What happens during the St. Nicholas weekend

The highlight is meeting Santa Claus. Children also meet the Elves and Mrs. Snow, with everything taking place in specially prepared surroundings featuring balloon decorations. The hotel has created the animation programme for the entire weekend under the theme “A St. Nicholas expedition to the Far North”.

On Friday after arrival, the children are welcomed by a reindeer, followed in the evening by balloon twisting, a mini disco and a family talent show. Saturday’s programme includes an art workshop, polar challenges, water races in the pool, face painting and a pyjama mini disco. Sunday features a workshop with a reindeer and glitter tattoos before departure. Check the current programme on the offer page before arriving.

Family pool and sauna when it is December outside

December weather in the mountains can be unpredictable, but during the St. Nicholas weekend it need not matter. The Aqua Ignis wellness area is a hotel with a pool in the mountains in practice: the recreational pool, with water at 28°C, is open daily from 10:00 to 22:00, while the children’s pool, with water at 32°C and a mini fountain, is open from 10:00 to 20:30. Children under 4 may use the pool only in special swimming nappies.

The sauna area also has a family relaxation sauna, open to everyone, so a child can enjoy their first sauna experience together with their parents. In the evening, from 20:30 to 22:00, the recreational pool is reserved for guests aged 16 and over. This is a good time for parents when the children are asleep or resting after a day of activities. On Friday, December 4, from 20:00 to 22:00, sauna ceremonies with a sauna master are also held in the Finnish sauna for an additional fee.

Indoor attractions for children of every age

The St. Nicholas package includes a ticket to the LUMINA immersive room for every guest. It is a multimedia entertainment centre with 3D colouring pages, interactive multimedia boards and robot programming. With direct booking, the package also includes a ticket to the immersive room at Querion amusement park in Piechowice for the “Palaces and Gardens” projection, along with access to the VR zone and free parking.

At the hotel, the youngest guests have the Play Room with a soft-play area featuring tunnel mazes, a slide and a ball pit. Older children and teenagers can choose the Game Room with consoles. Board games, from Dixit to Ticket to Ride, can be borrowed free of charge from reception. Elements is a family-friendly hotel where children also often meet Elma, the hotel’s frog mascot. Siblings of different ages therefore do not have to share one attraction.

A moment just for parents

A family trip does not have to mean that parents have no time for themselves. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, from 9:30 to 12:00, entertainers supervise children in the Mini Club. You can leave a child there if they are at least 4 years old, use the toilet independently and can communicate with the entertainer. A declaration must be completed, and places are limited.

These two and a half hours are enough for a treatment at Sensus SPA or a leisurely coffee at Forum Lobby Bar. A 5% discount at Sensus SPA applies with the St. Nicholas package. Sensus SPA also offers treatments for children, including an aromatherapy massage for children aged 6–12, performed in the presence of a guardian.