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Credit: Avalanche Software / Warner Bros.The Wizarding World is a magical place. Whether it’s the witches or wizards themselves, the many magical creatures, or places such as Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, and Gringotts, there isn’t a single square inch of the Harry Potter universe that isn’t dripping with magic.
Coupled with the franchise’s aesthetics — castle walls, crackling fireplaces, Dickensian-inspired cobblestone streets, and the Great British countryside — this makes Harry Potter the most magical of them all and the most festive over the Holiday period.
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The film series’ most Christmassy installments are easily Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001), Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) — things take a bit of a dark turn after the third film onwards!
While you’ll still find plenty of festivities throughout, the subsequent five films, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2010), and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part II (2011), aren’t anywhere near as merry!
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What’s also incredibly impressive about the Wizarding World is how immensely rich it is. Since the franchise was first conjured up by author JK Rowling, fans have been insatiable in their desire to learn as much about the Wizarding World as humanly (or Muggle-y) possible.
And it seems there isn’t a stone that’s been left unturned when it comes to the mythology, history, Magizoology, family bloodlines, dark wizards — the list goes on and on. The Wizarding World may as well be real because it’s as deep and layered as the one we live in.
But there’s one element that seems to have been ignored. Perhaps doing so only adds to the mystery, but it’s something that has kept fans wondering for many years now: Does Santa Claus, AKA Father Christmas/Kris Kringle/Saint Nick, exist in the Wizarding World?
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Santa’s existence is certainly hinted at, whether it’s the flying toy Santa in the Black House in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix or a line from the books in which Ron Weasley compares Santa’s elves to the garden gnomes at his family home, the Burrows.
Surprisingly, though, JK Rowling has never confirmed his existence, and we all know she loves to answer fans’ questions about anything relating to the Wizarding World, to the point where she’s almost killed any mystery the franchise still has left.
However, there are many forums on Reddit where fans discuss the likelihood of Santa Claus existing in the Harry Potter universe, pointing out many clues from the books and the films, including the most obvious one — the Wizarding World celebrates Christmas.
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But if Santa does exist, it then begs the question whom he delivers presents to: magical folk or Muggles? Perhaps both, and why not?
Let’s take a look at all the magical spells and potions that Santa Claus — who would obviously be a wizard himself — would have at his disposal during his annual round-the-world trips.
Why Santa Claus Exists in the Harry Potter Universe
How does Santa fit down the chimney?
Floo Powder
Floo Powder is one of the many magical means witches and wizards use to teleport from one location to another. In the case of this magic substance, though, they quite literally use chimneys to do so. So maybe Santa doesn’t drop down into chimneys in the Wizarding World and the Muggle World, but rather he teleports between them!
Apparition/Disapparition
Another method of magical transportation is the act of Apparition (appearing) and Disapparition (disappearing), which means to appear out of, and disappear into, thin air. If Santa Claus doesn’t like small spaces, it’s highly unlikely chimneys are his preferred mode of transport. It would certainly help him travel a lot quicker, too.
Alohomora
If Santa Claus encounters a locked door, and if he isn’t able to conduct Apparition and Disapparition to pass through it, he may need to resort to good, old-fashioned lock-picking. The Wizarding World version, of course. Alohomora would probably come in useful for someone like him.
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How does Santa fit everything inside his toy sack?
Magical Extensions Charm
Santa Claus obviously uses a Magical Extensions Charm on his toy sack, so that he can fit all the millions of toys he needs to deliver around the world in one night. We see Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) use this type of magic in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1 — although Santa would obviously need a bigger one.
Accio
While Santa probably uses a Magical Extension Charm on his toy sack, we can’t expect him to be rushing back and forth to collect presents to put under the Christmas Tree, so it would be wise for him to utilize Accio to let the presents come to him. Very efficient.
Lumos
We doubt Santa would risk getting caught by turning on the lights in someone’s house on Christmas Eve when trying to find his way around, whether by witches and wizards or Muggles, so he’d likely use his wand to cast Lumos. And to hide? Why, a Deluminator, of course — we’re sure his fellow white-bearded wizard Albus Dumbledore wouldn’t mind lending him one.
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Has anyone ever seen Santa?
Invisibility Cloak
Unless, of course, Santa Claus has access to an Invisibility Cloak, which would be a much more efficient way to hide, especially from Muggles. Though it’s unlikely he has one, we know that there’s more than one in existence in the Wizarding World. There’s also the less fool-proof Disillusionment Charm, which you can use in the open-world game Hogwarts Legacy (2023).
Transfiguration
Transfiguration doesn’t just allow you to temporarily turn into other living things — it can also turn you into inanimate objects. Suppose a witch or a wizard — or worse, a Muggle — walks in on Santa, he’ll need to think quickly and turn into an armchair or something, just like Professor Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent) does in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
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How does Santa’s sleigh and his reindeer fly?
Levitation Charm
The Wizarding World has long established the power of flight, so for all we know, Santa’s sleigh could have been fashioned out of his old broom. Or maybe it’s a simple Levitation Charm, like Arthur Weasley’s car in Chamber of Secrets. Or, it’s possible Thestrals are pulling it through the sky. Or perhaps just reindeer, which are probably magical creatures anyway — at least the North Pole versions.
How does Santa fly around the whole world in one night?
Time-Turner
Even if he’s a wizard, Santa wouldn’t be able to travel around the world in one night, so he probably has a Time-Turner. And why shouldn’t he own one? Professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith) gave one to a third-year in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban!
Can Santa live forever?
Immortality
Santa Claus is often depicted as a being who’s able to live an unnaturally long life, perhaps even immortal. There are many ways witches and wizards can achieve such power, whether it’s by using a magical artefact like the Philosopher’s Stone, or through much darker means, such as splitting your soul into seven pieces by committing the most unspeakable act. Is it possible Santa Claus is a dark wizard? Best not think about it too much.
Elves
Elves are no strangers to the Wizarding World, so it makes perfect sense that Santa Claus would also have House Elves in his workforce. But seeing as there are all sorts of creatures and other magical beings in existence, his version of elves may differ slightly to the likes of Dobby and Kreacher.
Harry Potter — Hogwarts Legacy
To create your own festive adventure in the Wizarding World, check out Hogwarts Legacy, which is now available on all major gaming consoles.
Check out the cinematic trailer for Hogwarts Legacy below:
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Hogwarts Legacy stars Simon Pegg (Phineas Nigellus Black), Luke Youngblood (Everett Clopton), Lesley Nicol (Deputy Head Professor Matilda Weasley), Kandace Caine (Divination Professor Onai), Sohm Kapila (Astronomy Professor Satyavati Shah), Asif Ali (Ravenclaw student Mahendra Pehlwaan), and Jason Anthony (Nearly Headless Nick and the Sorting Hat).
Per the Hogwarts Legacy website, here’s the synopsis:
Hogwarts Legacy is an immersive, open-world action RPG set in the world first introduced in the Harry Potter books. For the first time, experience Hogwarts in the 1800s. Your character is a student who holds the key to an ancient secret that threatens to tear the wizarding world apart. Now you can take control of the action and be at the center of your own adventure in the wizarding world. Your legacy is what you make of it.
All the Harry Potter films are currently streaming on Netflix.
There’s no release date for the Harry Potter reboot.
Do you think Santa Claus exists in the Wizarding World? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!