Christmas Eve is one of the most magical nights of the entire year — and the big question on every child's mind is the same: when does Santa come?

Whether your little ones are counting down the sleeps or lying in bed wide awake with butterflies in their stomach, here's everything families need to know about Santa's big visit.

Santa Travels on Christmas Eve Night

Santa begins his incredible journey on Christmas Eve — the night of December 24th. Because the world is round and night falls at different times across the globe, Santa actually starts delivering gifts when it gets dark in the Pacific Islands and New Zealand, slowly making his way westward as night spreads across the planet.

By the time it's nightfall in Canada, Santa has already visited millions of families on the other side of the world. With Rudolph leading the way and the reindeer flying at magical speed, Santa covers enormous distances in what feels like the blink of an eye.

What Time Does Santa Come to Your House?

Most families in Canada can expect Santa to arrive sometime after 9 PM — but here's the catch: Santa only stops at homes where children are fast asleep. If he sees the lights on and little ones still awake, he'll circle back later once everyone is tucked in.

This is why getting to bed at a reasonable hour on Christmas Eve is so important! Most sleep experts agree that the earlier children fall asleep, the sooner morning — and presents — will arrive.

For Canadian families wondering about timing, you can actually track Santa on Christmas Eve using our real-time Santa tracker. It updates throughout the evening so parents can see exactly where in the world Santa is.

How Santa Gets Into the House

A chimney is the classic route, but Santa has never let a chimney-free home stop him! Christmas magic means he can enter through any door or window without making a sound or leaving a trace — except, of course, for the gifts he leaves behind.

Many families leave a special "Santa key" on the front porch, which is a lovely tradition for homes without a fireplace. The key lets children feel reassured that Santa can get in, and it becomes a cherished part of the Christmas Eve routine.

Getting Ready for Santa's Visit

Want to make sure Santa stops at your home? There are a few traditions families swear by:

Leave out cookies and milk. This is Santa's favourite part of the night (after seeing the smiling faces of children, of course). Reindeer love carrots and apple slices too — why not try one of our festive Christmas recipes to bake something special?

Hang stockings by the fireplace. Santa fills stockings with small gifts and treats. If you don't have a fireplace, the end of the bed or a special hook works perfectly.

Write a letter to Santa. One of the best ways to make sure Santa knows exactly what your child is hoping for is to help your child write their letter to Santa. Santa and his elves read every single letter that arrives at the North Pole, and receiving a letter makes your home a priority stop on Christmas Eve.

Set out reindeer food. Before bed, children can sprinkle oats and glitter on the front lawn — the glitter catches moonlight and helps Rudolph and the other reindeer spot the house from the sky!

What Happens If I Stay Awake?

If your child is worried they'll hear Santa — or hoping to catch a glimpse — reassure them that Santa's magic makes him completely silent. Reindeer hooves barely make a whisper on rooftops, and Santa moves so quickly that even the lightest sleeper wouldn't hear a thing.

The best plan is to stay in bed, close your eyes, and let sleep come naturally. Christmas morning will feel even more magical after a full night of rest. Some families enjoy reading a Christmas story together before bed to help little ones settle.

Christmas Eve Traditions to Start Tonight

Christmas Eve is about so much more than waiting for Santa. It's one of the most special evenings of the year for families to be together. Some ideas to fill the evening with magic:

However your family chooses to spend Christmas Eve, the most important thing is being together and soaking up the magic of the season. And if you haven't done it yet — there's still time to write a letter to Santa before the big night arrives!