The Night Before Christmas characters

Appears from the start

A young blacksmith in the Ukrainian village of Dikanka. Strong, devout, and also a talented painter, he is hopelessly in love with Oksana. Her teasing demand for the empress's slippers sends him into a night of supernatural travel and comic danger.

Appears from the start

A celebrated village beauty and Chub's daughter. She enjoys the admiration she receives and initially treats Vakula's devotion as a game, challenging him to obtain an impossible royal gift before she will marry him.

Appears from the start

Vakula's mother, a witch whose many admirers each believe he enjoys her exclusive favor. On Christmas Eve her secret visitors arrive one after another, forcing her to conceal them in coal sacks.

Appears from the start

A petty demon angered by Vakula's religious painting of his humiliation. He steals the moon in hopes of frustrating the blacksmith, but his scheme places him within Vakula's reach.

Appears from the start

Oksana's prosperous widowed father. Fond of drink and conscious of his standing in the village, he is among Solokha's admirers and considers Vakula an unsuitable son-in-law until the blacksmith returns bearing impressive gifts.

Also known as Puzaty Patsyuk

Appears from the start

A broad, enigmatic former Cossack reputed to have dealings with unclean powers. Vakula seeks his help in finding the Devil and witnesses food moving into Patsyuk's mouth without being touched.

Appears from the start

The village clerk, one of Solokha's persistent admirers. His attempt at a private Christmas Eve visit ends with him hidden in a sack as further callers arrive.

Appears from the start

The ruler Vakula encounters at the imperial court in Saint Petersburg. Amused by his direct request and impressed by his journey, she grants him a pair of royal slippers for Oksana.