Christmas Eve is the busiest, happiest day of the whole year at Santa’s Workshop. The elves have been getting ready since spring, and tonight it all comes together. Here’s how the day goes, from the very first lantern to the very last rooftop.
Santa’s Christmas Eve, hour by hour
- Early morningThe last list check. Juniper reads the Nice List one final time by lantern light, adding a little gold star beside every name. It’s still dark outside, because in December the sun doesn’t rise at the North Pole at all.
- Mid-morningPolishing the sleigh. The stable elves buff the runners until they shine, tighten every bolt, and tune the sleigh bells so each one rings just right.
- NoonA big reindeer breakfast. The reindeer get warm oats, a carrot each, and a long stretch in the snowy paddock. Tonight is the longest flight of the year.
- Early afternoonLoading the sleigh. Elves form a long line from the workshop door to the sleigh, passing presents hand to hand. Everything is packed in the order Santa will need it.
- Four o’clockCocoa with Mrs. Claus. Cocoa is ready at four o’clock sharp, with marshmallows for everyone who wiped their boots. Santa has two mugs. It’s a big night.
- Late afternoonThe map and the weather. Clove unrolls the Christmas Eve flight map, with a tiny golden star on every town. The weather elves check the winds and the northern lights.
- EveningSuit, boots and a hug. Santa brushes his red suit, laces his black boots, and gives Mrs. Claus a hug at the door. The elves wave their lanterns.
- TakeoffFollowing midnight around the world. Santa starts where Christmas arrives first, in the islands of the central Pacific, and follows midnight west around the globe. Because the world has many time zones, Christmas night lasts more than a full day from the first town to the last.
- Through the nightQuiet rooftops only. Santa only visits homes where children are fast asleep, so the house is quiet and the cookies are waiting. A carrot for the reindeer is always appreciated.
- Christmas morningHome to the North Pole. With the sleigh empty and the reindeer tired, Santa flies home under the stars, has one more cocoa, and sleeps until nearly New Year.
Real North Pole fun facts
- No sunrise in December. At the North Pole the sun stays below the horizon from late September until about mid-March. That’s why the Mail Room lanterns are always lit.
- Christmas comes first in the Pacific. The Line Islands of Kiribati are among the first places in the world to reach midnight on Christmas Eve.
- And last in the Pacific too. American Samoa, in the same ocean, is one of the last places to reach midnight, about 25 hours later.
- Every direction is south. Stand exactly on the North Pole and wherever you look, you’re facing south.
Getting ready for Santa at your house
- Set out a snack. Cookies and a glass of milk for Santa, and a carrot for the reindeer.
- Sprinkle a little reindeer food outside: plain oats and a pinch of sugar, never glitter.
- Read a Christmas story together and look for the brightest star from the window.
- Hang your stocking where Santa will find it.
- Go to sleep nice and early. Santa only visits quiet houses, and the sooner you sleep, the sooner it’s morning.