‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Poem Printable (Free PDF + Mini Book)
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There’s something special about reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas during the holidays. The stockings are hanging, the children are tucked into bed, and everyone is waiting for a visit from St. Nicholas!
This beloved Christmas poem has been part of holiday traditions for generations. Whether you’re reading it aloud on Christmas Eve, introducing it during a classroom poetry lesson, or helping children memorize a few verses, it’s a wonderful story to share.
I’ve created a free printable ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas poem that you can download and enjoy. I also have a colorful, illustrated mini book version that makes the poem especially fun to read with younger children.
What Is ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas?
The poem’s original title is A Visit from St. Nicholas, although most people know it by its famous opening line.
It tells the story of a family on Christmas Eve. Everyone is asleep when the narrator hears a noise outside. He looks out the window and discovers a miniature sleigh, eight reindeer, and St. Nicholas himself!
What follows is a wonderfully playful description of Santa’s visit, from his rosy cheeks and twinkling eyes to his trip down the chimney.
The poem helped shape the familiar American image of Santa Claus, including his appearance, his Christmas Eve visit, and his eight reindeer.
Who Wrote ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas?
The poem was first published anonymously on December 23, 1823, in the Troy Sentinel, a newspaper in Troy, New York.
It is traditionally credited to Clement Clarke Moore, whose name became associated with the poem in the 1830s. Moore later included it in his own collection of poetry in 1844.
However, there’s an interesting literary mystery surrounding its authorship!
The family of Henry Livingston Jr. claimed that he had written the poem years earlier and recited it to his children. Researchers have debated the evidence for both writers, and the question remains disputed.
Regardless of who originally wrote it, the poem has become one of the most recognizable Christmas traditions in American literature.
Free ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Poem Printable
I’ve created a free full-page printable of the complete poem so you can easily read and share it with your children.
Download a Free Copy of the “Twas the Night Before Christmas poem!
You can use it for:
- Christmas Eve family read-alouds
- Classroom Christmas poetry lessons
- Homeschool literature studies
- Poetry memorization practice
- Holiday reading activities
- Christmas celebrations and traditions
Print a copy to keep with your Christmas books, display it during December, or tuck it into a holiday learning binder.
Read the Full ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Poem
The complete poem is included below so you can read it online or follow along with your printable.
A Visit from St. Nicholas
Traditionally attributed to Clement Clarke Moore
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave a lustre of midday to objects below,
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,
With a little old driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too—
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a pedlar just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Printable Mini Book
If you’re reading the poem with younger children, you might also enjoy my illustrated ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas mini book.
This printable version turns the complete poem into a little Christmas storybook, with colorful illustrations to accompany the verses.
The 14-page PDF download includes the illustrated mini book as well as the full-page poem printable.
It’s a lovely way to help children follow the story, recognize the characters, and enjoy the rhythm of the poem.
You can print the booklet for a Christmas Eve story, a classroom read-aloud, or a holiday reading activity.
SHOP THE ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS PRINTABLE MINI BOOK
Buy the Mini book now!
Christmas Poetry Activities for Kids
Want to do a little more with the poem? Here are some simple learning activities to try.
1. Practice Poetry Memorization
Choose a favorite section of the poem and practice reciting it together.
Younger children might enjoy learning the opening four lines, while older students can work on memorizing a longer passage.
The poem’s lively rhythm makes it particularly fun to practice aloud.
2. Find Rhyming Words
Read through the poem and have children listen for rhyming pairs.
Talk about how rhyme and rhythm make the story enjoyable to hear.
You could even challenge children to write a few rhyming lines about their own Christmas traditions.
3. Explore Descriptive Language
The poem is filled with wonderful descriptions!
Have children find examples of similes, vivid adjectives, and sensory details.
What words help them picture St. Nicholas? How does the poet describe the sounds and sights of Christmas Eve?
4. Draw a Scene from the Poem
Let children choose their favorite moment and illustrate it.
They might draw the reindeer flying over the rooftops, St. Nicholas filling the stockings, or the snowy scene outside the window.
Older children can label their illustrations with lines from the poem.
5. Investigate the History of Santa Claus
The poem provides an interesting starting point for learning how Christmas traditions have changed over time.
Compare the poem’s description of St. Nicholas with illustrations from different periods. What has stayed the same, and what has changed?
Make the Poem Part of Your Christmas Traditions
One of my favorite things about classic Christmas poems and stories is how easily they become family traditions.
You can read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas every Christmas Eve, enjoy it during a December poetry study, or use the illustrated mini book to introduce the story to younger children.
However you choose to use it, I hope these printables help you enjoy this classic poem together.
Get the illustrated 14-page Christmas mini book for a colorful storybook version.
More Christmas Printables and Activities
Looking for more Christmas learning ideas and family fun?
- Christmas Left Right Stories — a fun game for Christmas parties and gift exchanges
- The Best Family Christmas Movies for Kids
- Christmas STEM: Poinsettia pH Experiment
- Puzzle Cube Christmas Advent Calendar
- The Best Christmas Party Games for Kids and Families
