Twas the night before Christmas and all through Niagara Falls, USA, not a creature was stirring, not even a rare black squirrel. The neon lights of the hotels and attractions shimmered like twinkles of a heavenly rainbow, a contrast against the looming darkness, reflecting off the frosty white mist spiraling upwards from the thundering waterfalls.
The Seneca Niagara Casino was closed with not a single machine chiming. Even the tourist shops along Old Falls Streets had their doors shut. Niagara Falls State Park was covered with a gentle blanket of white snow, giving the Christmas lights an added charm appearing as though they were dusted with powdered sugar.
Elaborate displays adorned every street and house, radiating a soft, inviting glow that illuminated the falling snowflakes, transforming them into minuscule glittering jewels against the midnight backdrop. Every attraction was gracefully donned in red and green, while the snow gave everything an innocent coat of white.
Ice sculptors on Old Falls Street worked in rhythm to a silent Christmas tune. Angels and elves, reindeers and Christmas trees came alive from blocks of ice under their skillful hands, glittering spectacularly under the park's shimmering Christmas lights.
Santa's North Pole station was all set up in the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute, standing out brilliantly among the display. Bakers, even though on holiday, couldn't resist filling the air with the inviting smell of gingerbread and candy canes. However, Santa was conspicuously absent, busy making his last-minute preparations.
Suddenly, as the giant Christmas tree by the American Falls started sparkling magically with thousands of lights, everyone could see something mystical. Against the backdrop of the crashing falls and a sky painted with twinkling stars, Santa's sleigh appeared in silhouette. On this clear night, everyone on both sides of the border had an uninhibited view of the falls, and Santa's timely flight over it filled every onlooker with Christmas magic.
The sight of reindeers towing the gift-laden sleigh with sleigh bells ringing harmoniously with the distant echo of the falls caused every heart to flutter with uncontainable joy and child-like wonderment. The sighting ended all too soon as they soared upwards into the starlit night, making their annual trip around the globe.
As the enchanting scene faded away, silence took over once again. Snowflakes danced rhythmically with the frosty breeze carrying with them the harmonious melodies of the Christmas spirit. Everyone knew that Christmas had come to the heart of the magnificent Niagara Falls.
From Niagara Falls, USA, a joyous night indeed had unfolded. A night before Christmas that echoed with silence yet filled the air with palpable cheer. The park slept soundly with dreams of a Christmas morning in their head.