Nuuttipukki (
Saint Knut's Day ), or the
Feast of Saint Knut, is a traditional festival celebrated in Sweden and Finland on 13 January. It is not celebrated on this date in Denmark (the Knut day was moved in Sweden, not in Denmark) despite being named for the Danish prince
Canute Lavard, and later also associated with his uncle,
Canute the Saint, the patron saint of Denmark. Unlike Santa Claus,
Nuuttipukki was a scary character. The men dressed as
nuuttipukki wandered from house to house, came in, and typically demanded food from the household and especially leftover alcoholic beverages. Unless
Nuuttipukki received a salary from the host, he committed evil deeds.