CHILDREN of Bradford will need to be on their best behaviour on Monday, as both St Nicholas and the demonic Krampus will be visiting the city centre.

The celebration of St Nicholas Day will be held in City Park between 4pm and 6pm, and feature live music, Eastern European food and appearances from several festive figures.

The event is being held to recognise the large Eastern European and Roma communities in the District, and has been organised as a partnership between Connecting Roma, Bradford For Everyone and Bradford Council.

St Nicholas Day, or Mikulas, is celebrated wider throughout the world and sometimes on different days, such as December 5 and December 19.

Appearing at the event will be St Nicholas – the religious figure that Santa Claus was based on, an angel and the fearsome Krampus.

The anthropomorphic, goat like figure is less well known outside of parts of Europe, but is a figure that accompanies St Nicholas on his journeys in some cultures.

While the Saint delivers toys to good children, Krampus hands out coal to those that have misbehaved. In some versions of the folklore he even carries the most troublesome children away in a sack.

Monday’s event will also feature performances by the Gypsy Rudko Band, Steve Gaspar and Clairemarie’s School of Dance.

There will be food from local Polish, Slovakian, and Hungarian businesses.

Leader of Bradford Council Susan Hinchliffe, said: “This event brings us together as one community, sharing in the rich diversity we are so proud of in Bradford District. This is a chance to learn and share this celebration and wish everyone a happy St Nicholas Day with their families and most of all the young people who will be enjoying this time.

“Our Stronger Communities team will be there, working with members of the community to make sure that Bradford District is place where everyone feels they belong.

“We are lucky in Bradford to have a richly diverse community where we have the opportunity to take part in so many wonderful occasions with each other.”

Councillor Abdul Jabar, Executive Member for Stronger Communities at Bradford Council, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has made this event possible, including Connecting Roma and I’d like to send all Roma and European people living and celebrating in the district my warmest wishes.

“We can all learn more and this event is a great opportunity to learn about a celebration which is important to our Roma Community and many more from across Europe and wider afield.”

Daniel Balaz, Head of Service at Connecting Roma, said: “Connecting Roma C.I.C is very happy to gain support from Bradford Council and Bradford for Everyone which has enabled us to host a Traditional European Celebration.

“As a member of the Roma community and a resident of Bradford City, I am very excited to share this event with the wider community. We are so privileged to have such a diverse City where we are able to share such amazing celebrations, events, food and culture from different regions around the world here in Bradford.

“We hope that this event will bring communities of Bradford together and not only for that day but for all the days to come.

“The European Roma community have now become part of this City and want to showcase their traditions for everyone to enjoy. We look forward to working on many more projects and events to further positively impact this great City and make our European Roma community feel welcomed and valued.”