Sinterklaas cancelled again, famed Stars feel effects of tariffs

Sinterklaas, the seasonal non-denominational Dutch-inspired celebration that traditionally fills the streets of Rhinebeck during the first weekend of December, has once again been cancelled for 2025.

“As of Friday afternoon, our last hope of saving the event fell through, and so, we have to cancel,” founder and event organizer Jeanne Flemming said in an email with the subject heading Sadly… “We tried many different avenues all year long, but were not able to get the final amount of money to make it happen.”

In addition to cuts in arts funding, the famed Sinterklaas Stars which traditionally illuminate the year’s honored animals that hung around town (and currently in one of our windows) and funded 1/5th of the event’s budget – were made in India as a benefit for an orphanage, with the lights made in China – have “nearly tripled in price, making them unaffordable for most families,” Flemming said. She was also unsure if the stars would arrive in time, due to customs backlog.

“It is hard to believe that something as unique and beloved as Sinterklaas could fall casualty to lack of money, but that is the case,” she added.

Last year’s festival was also cancelled, due to “a significant budget deficit” as well as the loss of key volunteers, including Flemming’s husband, Harlan Matthews, “a Grumpus extraordinaire,” who died in April of 2024.

“The storytelling, the laughter, the music, the drama, the silliness and fun,” Flemming recounted. “It has been the greatest joy of my life to have lived and worked with this extraordinary group of generous souls in this wonderful community to truly allow magic to happen.”

Any donations received this year will be refunded.

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