On Christmas Eve, the story begins with a magical visit from Kris Kringle/Santa Claus, played by [Bryan Brendle], who enters a cozy house to deliver gifts. During his visit, he is unexpectedly discovered by a young girl, Noelle, portrayed by [Oakley Bull], who is delighted but also told jokingly not to tell anyone she saw him. However, it's soon revealed that Kris is Noelle’s father, and this playful moment signifies a special bond between them. As Kris interacts with Noelle, he also shares a heartfelt moment with her brother, Nick, played by [Owen Vaccaro], and their mother, portrayed by Julie Hagerty. Kris presents Nick with a Santa hat and reveals that he has chosen Nick as his successor, a decision that fills the family with excitement and pride. During this exchange, Kris humorously indicates that Noelle has a different role in the future—she would be responsible for spreading Christmas cheer to support Nick in his duties as Santa, a fact that Noelle accepts with a hint of disappointment.
Fast forward to the present, where Noelle is now portrayed by [Anna Kendrick], working alongside her brother Nick—the current Santa and played by [Bill Hader]—who has taken on the immense responsibility after their father's passing five months earlier. Nick struggles with the demands of the job, often doing things like crashing the sleigh, showing that he isn't fully prepared for the role. Their cousin, Gabe, played by [Billy Eichner], is a tech-savvy and somewhat awkward relative who tries to revolutionize the process of distinguishing naughty and nice kids with his app, FALALA. Meanwhile, Noelle offers gentle guidance to Nick, teaching him the ropes of being Santa, including how to climb chimneys, guide the reindeer, and figure out which children deserve gifts—whether they’ve been naughty or nice.
As the story unfolds, Nick becomes visibly exhausted and stressed out, longing for a break. In a caring gesture, Noelle suggests that he take a weekend off and travel anywhere he pleases, encouraging him to unwind. Nick, appreciating the idea, decides to go on an adventure, and Noelle volunteers to help him find a suitable getaway. However, trouble brews when the North Pole learns Nick has gone missing, and panic ensues over the potential chaos of Christmas without their Santa. It’s soon discovered that Noelle was responsible for the suggestion, leading to her being shunned and accused by the elves and other North Pole staff, who then appoint Gabe as the new Santa under strict guidelines.
Determined and resourceful, Noelle collaborates with Polly, played by [Shirley MacLaine], the head elf and former nanny, to track down Nick’s whereabouts. She learns that Nick has traveled to Phoenix, Arizona, and sets out to find him. Their search involves a chaotic sleigh ride that unexpectedly takes them outside the North Pole, where they are temporarily detained by local authorities. With Polly staying behind to handle the reindeer, Noelle seeks help from a cynical private investigator, Jake Hapman, played by [Kingsley Ben-Adir], who is dealing with his own struggles as a recent divorcee and a single father to Alex, portrayed by [Maceo Smedley].
During their investigation, Noelle demonstrates her compassion and ingenuity by communicating with a deaf girl named Michelle and her mother, despite never having learned sign language. This moment highlights her kindness and determination. Meanwhile, Gabe’s overreliance on his FALALA app causes friction, as he mistakenly calculates that only a few thousand children are truly nice, which alarms the North Pole staff. Noelle continues her quest, eventually discovering that Nick is teaching yoga at a local studio.
When she finally finds him, Nick is reluctant to return, feeling he lacks the "twinkle" that defines Santa. Despite her urgency, he refuses at first, even while Noelle emphasizes the importance of his role and the pressure he faces. As they reconnect, Snowcone, a tiny reindeer from the North Pole, delivers a message from Noelle’s mother warning her that Gabe’s methods threaten the traditional ways of Christmas. With the reindeer’s help, Noelle tracks Nick to a park where he is meditating silently—and she attempts to convince him to come back, leaving him a heartfelt note.
Unable to persuade Nick initially, Noelle returns to the mall with Gabe and Polly to try and bring him back. Nick, feeling inadequate, attempts to disguise himself as a mall Santa, but struggles with unruly children who are now suspicious of everyone, especially after using Gabe’s flawed app. Their efforts result in chaos, and Noelle ends up getting arrested after a confrontation with a mall Santa and security. Meanwhile, the crisis at the North Pole worsens as news spreads about children not receiving gifts, leading to Noelle being committed to a psychiatric ward due to accusations of madness.
Despite her setbacks, Noelle feels lost and burdened by doubts about her purpose, haunted by her father’s shadow and her brother's legacy. But she is eventually bailed out by Jake, who, despite being skeptical at first about her story, recognizes her genuine intent. With her help, Nick and Polly reveal the magic of their flying sleigh to Jake and the doctor, giving them a glimpse of the true spirit of Christmas. Nick then decides to step down from the role, choosing instead to pass the mantle to Noelle, believing she embodies all that Christmas represents—hope, joy, and the power to inspire.
Though initially met with some resistance from the elder elves and other traditionalists, the decision is ultimately accepted after Noelle delivers an emotional speech about her vision of Christmas and what it means to her. She is officially crowned as the new Santa, embracing her new responsibilities with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Her first attempts are bumpy—she mistakenly visits the wrong houses and faces self-doubt—but her true spirit shines through when she wakes a young girl named Michelle and her mother at a shelter. The acknowledgment and warm acceptance from the community uplift her, reminding her of her purpose.
The story concludes on a warm note, with Noelle having a fulfilling Christmas, not just because she is giving gifts but because she is now truly living her dream. She spends time with Jake and Alex, bringing happiness to the boy who had wished for nothing more than a moment with his father. Noelle’s life feels richer and more meaningful now that she can give rather than just receive, demonstrating that the true magic of Christmas lies in kindness, family, and spreading cheer.
