Nicholson made an excellent start to the match as he won four of the first five legs. But Huybrechts put together a fantastic run, as he took 12 of the next 14, in winning the process of taking the next four sets, to dump Nicholson out of the competition.
The 26-year-old Belgian, becomes the first player from his country to reach the quarter-finals of a PDC World Championship, on his debut at Alexandra Palace.
"I'm on such a high right now, I feel like the happiest man in the world," said a delighted Huybrechts, who will now face either Dave Chisnall or Andy Hamilton in the quarter-finals.
"The crowd were really behind me today, and the energy they gave me was a real driving force throughout the match."
Nicholson hit double 16 at the first time of asking to take the opening leg before Huybrechts took the second with an excellent 110 finish.
Nicholson, who defeated Alan Tabern in the last round, hit a 112 checkout to take the third leg, and then landed double four with his third dart to win the set, after Huybrechts missed two darts at double 16.
The ninth seed continued his good finishing form at the start of the second set with a 74 finish, before Huybrechts hit back-on-back 180s in the next.
Hopes of a nine-darter were ended when the seventh attempt at a treble 20 fell below the target. But the Belgian won the leg in 10-darts to claim just his second leg of the contest.
The third leg saw both players struggle to find a winning double, before Huybrechts made Nicholson pay for nine missed attempts at doubles by hitting double two.
Huybrechts, who has defeated Brendan Dolan and James Richardson to reach this stage, then won the set by taking out 69 in the next, to level the match at one set all.
Huybrechts hit a 13-dart finish to make a positive start to set three and then won his fifth leg in a row, by landing double 14 with his third dart.
The third leg saw Huybrechts secure a second break of throw in the set, as he took out 69, completed on double top, to move 2-1 ahead.
Huybrechts made a good start to set four, by taking his seventh leg on the spin with a 14-dart finish before Nicholson stopped the rot with an amazing 170 checkout to level.
The Belgian hit a 180 in the process of taking the third and hit another in the next to forge ahead and leave a chance to win the set.
Nicholson missed double five for a 130 checkout, but Huybrechts wasted two opportunities at double 16.
However, the 2010 Players Championship winner, was unable to set up a double, as he hit single 20 when aiming for single 1 to leave double two, allowing the Belgian to step up and hit double eight.
Nicholson hit double top to claim the opening leg of set five before Huybrechts took the second with a clinical 94 finish.
The third leg saw Nicholson miss a dart at bullseye for his second 170 checkout of the game. Nicholson then paid for five more missed darts to win the leg as Huybrechts took out 80, to move a leg away from victory.
The Belgian missed a dart at double 16 to close out the match, but Nicholson failed with two darts at doubles to keep the match alive, and Huybrechts held his nerve to land double eight with his last dart.
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