Reindeer Leave the North Pole
The reindeer have started their annual departure from the North Pole.
Every year, after the conclusion of Operation Merry Christmas, Santa’s reindeer take leave of the North Pole to return to their native lands. They do not return until the fall months.
Unlike their return in the autumn, their departure happens slowly – over the course of the next week or so.
They are not asked to leave and they are welcome to stay year round if they wish. A few do. But most choose to go home where they came from to spend the next several months with their families.
And just as when they arrive, they leave only after having been checked out by North Pole doctors and given a full bill of health.
It is a sad day at the North Pole but really, everyone here at the North Pole is happy for them. They get to return home to their families.
There are many reindeer who are native to the North Pole. Santa and others who have need of transportation will always have available teams to help fly them around.
But North Pole Flight Command will have far fewer reindeer to work with.
The next big project involving reindeer will be the test flights of Santa’s new sleigh, which will not begin until June 1st.
There are many reindeer who work the test flight teams that leave for a few months and others that are at the North Pole year round. The test flight reindeer are all “on vacation” for the time being.
- Reindeer Leave the North Pole - January 21, 2026
- North Pole Navy Returns - January 8, 2026
- Santa Begins Meetings - January 5, 2026
