The Dutch Embassy has hosted traditional Saint Nicholas Day celebrations in Canberra, including three white men with blackened faces dressed as the controversial character Zwarte Piet.

The festivities held on Sunday were organised by the Canberra Dutch Club and have taken place at the embassy for several years.

90 people were arrested at a fete in the Netherlands last year during a protest over Black Pete. ( AFP Photo: Remko de Waal )

This year there were three men dressed as Zwarte Piet, who the Embassy said was "very much part of Dutch culture".

The debate around Zwarte Piet, or Black Pete, has divided the Netherlands and sparked protests in the country in recent years.

In Dutch tradition, Zwarte Piet is the helper of Saint Nicholas, or Sinterklaas, and is usually depicted in a medieval costume with a blackened face, red lips and a curly wig.

Opponents argue the character is a racist stereotype dating back to colonial times.

Others say he is black from coming down the chimney, and argue there is no racist element to the character.

Last year 90 people were arrested for protesting against the controversial figure at a children's Christmas festival in the Netherlands.

Embassy takes 'no position' on debate

Arthur Den Hartog, the deputy head of mission for the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, said the Dutch government had "no position" in the debate about Zwarte Piet.

He said the event at the embassy was organised by Canberra's Dutch community, and this year more than 60 children and their families came along.

The controversial Black Pete characters made an appearance alongside the Dutch Saint Nicholas at the Dutch Embassy in Canberra on Sunday. ( ABC News: Ross Nerdal )

"It is a tradition which goes back in the Netherlands over centuries ... we saw no reason not to allow that to take place. Because the Dutch government does not take any position on that, we couldn't," he said.

Mr Den Hartog said there had been "lively" debate over the issue in recent years, but it was not the government's role to decide how the Dutch community celebrated the long-standing tradition.

"It is very much part of Dutch culture. Public opinion in the Netherlands differs on this topic," he said.

"And it's also part of Dutch culture really, to discuss those different opinions, and to be open and to listen to different opinions that are being voiced."

The diplomat said there were those that felt there were negative connotations to the tradition, but there were others that believed it was important to celebrate Saint Nicholas Day the way it has been done for many years.

"If somebody would have a complaint about this, we would carefully listen to them and hope that they join the public debate to make their opinion known," he said.

'I'm pretty shocked that it's happened here'

But the managing director of anti-racism group All Together Now, Priscilla Brice, said she was disappointed to hear the Black Pete tradition was being celebrated in Canberra.

"I'm pretty shocked that it's happened here in Australia and that people have brought those issues over to Australia," she said.

"Anybody who commits blackface, they're unaware of that history [of slavery and racism against black people], they're disrespectful to the people who were slaves and basically trying to pretend that you're from another culture is offensive anyway regardless of what culture."

Ms Price said while Black Pete was a Dutch tradition, it was still a form of racism that could have wide-reaching implications.

"We know that people who are frequent targets of racism experience for example anxiety and depression, and some also experience physical issues like diabetes and high blood pressure," she said.

"That goes for people that have experienced interpersonal racism and institutionalised racism.

"So it affects individuals, but it also affects society as well."

Sinterklaas and Black Pete tradition may evolve over time

Mr Den Hartog said this year's celebration at the embassy was "quite a pleasant occasion".

Saint Nicholas and the three Black Petes handed out presents to children at the Dutch Embassy. ( ABC News: Ross Nerdal )

But he said the Sinterklaas tradition was one that evolved continuously.

"There are developments over time. We have witnessed changes over the years as to how the Sinterklaas celebrations are being celebrated," he said.

Mr Den Hartog said last year in the Netherlands, the annual Sinterklaas celebration broadcast on television included Zwarte Piet-style character with faces of many different colours.

"It might well be that in due course it will have a different appearance than it has today but again that's for the public to decide," he said.