How to Beat Evil Santa 99 Nights Forest (January 2026) Ultimate Guide
The Evil Santa boss represents the ultimate challenge in 99 Nights in the Forest’s Christmas Week 3 update, bringing together everything players have learned throughout the event in one epic confrontation. This formidable foe has taken over Santa’s Workshop, transforming it into a fortress of candy turrets and holiday chaos. Whether you’re a seasoned survivor or new to the Christmas event, defeating Evil Santa requires careful preparation, strategic thinking, and precise execution.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through every aspect of the Evil Santa boss fight, from unlocking the encounter to mastering advanced combat techniques. You’ll learn exactly where to find Evil Santa, what items you must prepare, how to destroy every turret efficiently, and the best strategies to defeat the boss while maximizing your rewards. This guide contains exclusive strategies not found in other guides, including a game-changing exploit that makes the fight significantly easier.
Quick Overview: Evil Santa Boss Fight
| Aspect | Details | Time Required |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Santa’s Workshop, North Pole Biome | 5-10 minutes to reach |
| Prerequisites | Level 4 Campfire, 12 Christmas Lights | 30-60 minutes preparation |
| Required Items | Ladder, Shovel, Ranged Weapon | 10-15 minutes to obtain |
| Turrets to Destroy | 3 Candy Turrets | 10-20 minutes |
| Boss Difficulty | Medium (preparation is harder than fight) | 5-15 minutes |
| Total Rewards | Presents, Candy Canes, Rare Items | Varies by luck |
How to Defeat Evil Santa Boss in 99 Nights in the Forest?
Prerequisites: What You Need Before Fighting Evil Santa
Before you can even think about confronting Evil Santa, you need to complete several crucial preparation steps. Missing any of these requirements will make the boss fight impossible or significantly harder.
Campfire Level 4 Requirement (CRITICAL!)
This is the most commonly missed requirement that many guides fail to mention. You must upgrade your campfire to level 4 (maximum level) to unlock access to the North Pole Biome where Evil Santa resides. Without this upgrade, you won’t even be able to reach the boss area.
How to Upgrade Campfire to Level 4:
- Gather wood and resources consistently
- Complete daily quests for upgrade materials
- Focus on campfire upgrades early in the game
- This typically takes several hours of gameplay
Collecting 12 Christmas Lights
The Christmas Lights are essential items needed to unlock the boss fight. You’ll need exactly 12 lights to progress.
Best Methods to Get Christmas Lights:
- Loot trees without snow (fastest method) – 70% drop rate
- Defeat wolves in the forest area – 30% drop rate
- Explore special event areas for guaranteed spawns
Pro Tip: Focus on snow-free trees first as they have the highest drop rate. Carry multiple weapons to quickly clear trees and maximize your collection speed.
Finding and Lighting the 12 Christmas Trees
Once you have 12 Christmas Lights, you need to locate and decorate 12 special Christmas trees scattered throughout the North Pole area.
Christmas Tree Locations Strategy:
- Trees are marked with special glowing effects
- Follow the main path through the Christmas village
- Some trees are hidden behind buildings or decorations
- Use the map to track which trees you’ve lit
Lighting Process:
- Approach each special Christmas tree
- Select Christmas Lights from your inventory
- Place one light on each tree
- Wait for the lighting animation to complete
- Repeat until all 12 trees are lit
After lighting the final tree, a special cutscene will play, confirming the Christmas Biome is now safe and unlocking access to Santa’s Workshop.
Essential Items to Purchase Before the Fight
Before entering the workshop, you must purchase specific tools from the Santa’s Workshop shop. Without these items, reaching Evil Santa is impossible.
Required Items and Costs
| Item | Purpose | Cost | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ladder | Reach first turret area | Varies | Santa’s Workshop Shop |
| Shovel | Dig through snow barrier | Varies | Santa’s Workshop Shop |
How to Earn Coins Quickly?
Most Efficient Coin Farming Methods:
- Loot wells around the map – 5-10 coins each
- Defeat cultists at night – 10-15 coins each
- Explore buildings and points of interest – 2-5 coins per location
- Complete daily quests – 20-50 coins per quest
Pro Strategy: Focus on cultist hunting at night as they provide the most coins per kill. Bring a strong weapon and healing items for maximum efficiency.
Complete Workshop Walkthrough: Turret by Turret
The Evil Santa boss fight is divided into two main phases: clearing the turret defenses and fighting Evil Santa himself. The turret phase is actually more dangerous than the boss fight, so pay close attention to these strategies.
Phase 1: Clearing the Three Candy Turrets
First Turret Strategy
Location: Directly ahead as you enter the workshop entrance
Step-by-Step Strategy:
- Wait for the turret to stop targeting you – Watch for the red targeting laser to disappear
- Position yourself behind cover – Use the entrance doorway for protection
- Shoot the turret safely from cover – Aim for the center mass
- Destroy it quickly – Turrets respawn if you take too long
- Place your ladder immediately after destruction
- Climb up to proceed to the next area
Pro Tips:
- Use ranged weapons for this fight
- Don’t rush – patience is key
- The turret has a limited firing arc
- Each destroyed turret rewards 2 Candy Canes
Second Turret Strategy
Location: Down the stairs after climbing the ladder
Step-by-Step Strategy:
- Move forward and go down the stairs carefully
- Hide behind the wooden wall immediately
- Peek out and shoot when the turret pauses – Timing is crucial
- Collect the peppermint drop after destroying the turret
- Proceed to the next area cautiously
Advanced Technique:
- The turret can’t hit you behind the wooden wall
- Use quick peek shots to minimize damage
- The peppermint drop provides temporary buffs
- Save healing items for the boss fight
Third Turret Strategy
Location: Behind a snow barrier blocking your path
Step-by-Step Strategy:
- Use your shovel to dig through the snow barrier – This takes several seconds
- Enter the newly opened area carefully
- Destroy the final turret using the same cover-based strategy
- Prepare for the boss fight – Heal and reload weapons
Critical Note:
- You must have the shovel before reaching this point
- The snow barrier is impassable without digging
- This turret is often the hardest due to limited cover
- Save your best weapons for this encounter
Phase 2: Fighting Evil Santa Himself
After destroying all three turrets, you’ll finally face Evil Santa in the main workshop area. Surprisingly, Evil Santa is much easier than the turret phase if you use the right strategy.
Evil Santa Attack Patterns
Understanding Evil Santa’s Abilities:
- Low direct damage – Santa’s attacks are weak compared to turrets
- Turret spawning – He deploys additional turrets during the fight
- Slow movement – Santa moves predictably and can be dodged easily
- Limited range – Stay at distance for maximum safety
Best Combat Strategy
Primary Strategy: Focus Santa, Not Turrets
- Stay constantly mobile to avoid turret fire
- Use cover like crates and boxes inside the workshop
- Ignore most spawned turrets and focus damage on Santa
- Use ranged weapons to maintain safe distance
- Circle around Santa while attacking
Why This Works: The turrets Santa spawns are mainly distractions. Trying to destroy every turret will slow you down and increase your damage taken. The fastest and safest approach is to attack Santa directly whenever possible.
Weapon Recommendations
| Weapon Type | Effectiveness | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Bows | Excellent | Good range, consistent damage |
| Firearms | Excellent | High damage output, accurate |
| Melee Weapons | Poor | Risky due to turret fire |
| Throwing Weapons | Good | Decent range, but limited ammo |
Pro Tip: Use weapons with consistent damage rather than burst damage. Steady damage is more reliable than hoping for critical hits.
Secret Exploit Strategy: The Door Glitch Method
WARNING: This is an advanced exploit that may be patched in future updates. Use it while you can!
This game-changing strategy, discovered by the community, allows you to defeat Evil Santa with minimal risk by trapping him behind a door.
The Door Glitch Step-by-Step
- Enter the main boss area with Evil Santa
- Shoot Evil Santa once to start the fight
- Immediately run to the big green door that leads back to the workshop entrance
- Position yourself so Evil Santa tries to follow you but gets stuck behind the door
- You’ll see Evil Santa’s arm and wrench sticking through the door
- Shoot his RIGHT arm (your right side, not his right side)
- Keep shooting until his health depletes
Why This Works: Evil Santa’s AI has pathfinding issues with doors, causing him to get stuck while remaining vulnerable to damage through the door frame.
Advantages of This Method
- Minimal risk of death – Santa can’t attack you properly
- Conserves healing items – No damage taken during fight
- Easy execution – Simple to replicate once you know the positioning
- Time-efficient – Faster than traditional combat methods
Potential Risks
- May be patched in future updates
- Requires precise positioning to work correctly
- Some players consider it cheating
- Less satisfying than legitimate combat
Rewards and Benefits of Defeating Evil Santa
Defeating Evil Santa provides some of the best rewards available in the Christmas event, making the effort well worth it.
Immediate Rewards
Present Machine Activation:
- The workshop immediately begins printing presents
- Three presents spawn containing random rewards
- One Golden Present Box guaranteed per victory
- Golden Present contains 5 extra Candy Canes plus rare items
Reward Breakdown:
| Reward Type | Quantity | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Candy Canes | 5+ from Golden Present | Event currency |
| Rare Weapons | 1-2 per run | High combat value |
| Survival Gear | 1-3 per run | Utility value |
| Cosmetic Items | Chance per run | Collection value |
Long-Term Benefits
Elf Shop Access:
- Unlock new items in the Christmas Shop
- Gem Pack (100 Candy) – Converts to 10 Diamonds
- Santa’s Seat (200 Candy) – Exclusive furniture
- Christmas Tree (300 Candy) – Special decoration
- North Pole Snowglobe (300 Candy) – Collectible item
Event Progression:
- Complete Christmas Week 3 objectives
- Unlock achievement badges
- Prepare for future events
- Gain bragging rights in the community
Advanced Tips and Pro Strategies
Combat Optimization
Movement Patterns:
- Circle strafe around Evil Santa constantly
- Use the environment for cover and positioning
- Save sprint for emergency dodges
- Learn turret firing patterns for optimal timing
Resource Management:
- Bring extra healing items – Better to have too many than too few
- Carry backup weapons in case of durability loss
- Save special abilities for the boss fight
- Manage inventory space efficiently
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Preparation Errors:
- Forgetting campfire level 4 – Most common blocking issue
- Not buying ladder/shovel – Wastes significant time
- Insufficient coins – Forces unnecessary farming
- Poor weapon choice – Makes fight much harder
Combat Mistakes:
- Focusing on turrets instead of Santa – Inefficient strategy
- Standing still too long – Easy target for turrets
- Using melee weapons – Too risky in confined spaces
- Panic healing – Wastes resources unnecessarily
Speedrun Strategies
For Experienced Players:
- Memorize turret positions for quick clearing
- Optimize Christmas Light collection routes
- Use high-damage weapons for faster kills
- Skip optional exploration during boss run
- Practice the door glitch for consistent fast kills
Platform-Specific Information
Roblox PC Controls
Optimal Keybinds:
- WASD for movement
- Mouse for aiming and shooting
- Shift for sprinting
- E for interactions
- Number keys for weapon switching
PC Advantages:
- Precise aiming with mouse controls
- Faster reaction times with keyboard shortcuts
- Better graphics settings for visibility
- Easier inventory management
Mobile Considerations
Mobile Challenges:
- Less precise aiming with touch controls
- Smaller screen makes spotting enemies harder
- Battery drain during extended play
- More difficult movement control
Mobile Optimization:
- Use auto-aim features when available
- Play on larger screens if possible
- Take breaks to prevent hand fatigue
- Use external controllers for better precision
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Can’t Access the Workshop
Possible Causes:
- Campfire not upgraded to level 4
- Not all 12 Christmas trees lit
- Server connection issues
- Game bug requiring restart
Solutions:
- Verify campfire level first
- Double-check all trees are lit
- Rejoin the server if needed
- Contact support if issue persists
Turrets Not Appearing
Common Issues:
- Entered workshop too early
- Server desynchronization
- Previous fight didn’t reset properly
Fixes:
- Leave and re-enter the workshop
- Wait for full reset
- Join a different server
- Clear cache and restart game
Boss Fight Glitches
Known Issues:
- Evil Santa not spawning
- Turrets respawning infinitely
- Reward not dropping
- Getting stuck in environment
Workarounds:
- Document the glitch with screenshots
- Report to official Discord
- Try the door glitch method
- Rejoin the server as last resort
Community Resources and Official Sources
Official Channels
Discord Server: https://discord.com/invite/nightsintheforest
- 841,054+ members for community support
- Official announcements and updates
- Player strategies and tips
- Bug reports and developer feedback
Twitter/X: @99NightsOffical
- Real-time updates on patches
- Event announcements
- Developer interactions
- Community highlights
Official Wiki: https://99-nights-in-the-forest.fandom.com
- Comprehensive game information
- Update history and patch notes
- Community-contributed guides
- Detailed item descriptions
Community Tips
Best Practices:
- Join the Discord for real-time help
- Watch YouTube tutorials for visual guidance
- Read multiple guides for different perspectives
- Practice strategies in safe environments
- Share your own discoveries with the community
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to defeat Evil Santa?
The entire process from preparation to boss defeat typically takes 1-2 hours for first-time players. Experienced players can complete it in 30-45 minutes.
Can you defeat Evil Santa solo?
Yes, Evil Santa can be defeated solo using the strategies in this guide. The door glitch method makes it particularly easy for solo players.
What happens if you die during the boss fight?
You’ll respawn outside the workshop and need to clear all three turrets again before fighting Evil Santa. Progress on Christmas tree lighting is saved.
Is the Evil Santa boss fight permanent?
No, the Evil Santa boss is limited-time content for the Christmas Week 3 event. The forest will revert to normal after the event ends.
Can you fight Evil Santa multiple times?
Yes, you can defeat Evil Santa multiple times to farm rewards, but you must clear the turrets each time.
What’s the best weapon for Evil Santa?
Bows and firearms are the best choices due to their range and consistent damage. Avoid melee weapons due to turret danger.
Do you need to destroy all turrets during the boss fight?
No, it’s more efficient to focus on Evil Santa and ignore the turrets he spawns during the fight.
How many Candy Canes do you get per run?
You typically get 5+ Candy Canes from the Golden Present, plus 2 Candy Canes per turret destroyed (6 total from turrets).
Will the door glitch be patched?
The door glitch is likely to be patched in future updates, so use it while you can but also learn the legitimate strategy.
Can you get Evil Santa rewards without fighting him?
No, you must defeat Evil Santa to unlock the Present Machine and receive the special rewards.
Conclusion
Defeating Evil Santa in 99 Nights in the Forest represents the culmination of the Christmas Week 3 event, testing everything you’ve learned throughout the holiday season. While the preparation phase requires significant effort, the actual boss fight becomes manageable with the right strategies and preparation.
Key Takeaways for Success:
- Never forget the campfire level 4 requirement – it’s the most common blocking issue
- Prepare thoroughly with ladder, shovel, and ranged weapons
- Master the turret strategies – they’re more dangerous than the boss
- Focus damage on Evil Santa, not his spawned turrets
- Consider the door glitch for an easier victory (while it lasts)
- Farm efficiently for maximum rewards before the event ends
The Christmas event is time-sensitive, with the forest reverting to normal after January 2026. Make sure to defeat Evil Santa and claim your rewards before this limited-time content disappears forever.
Whether you choose the legitimate combat strategy or the door glitch exploit, this guide has provided you with everything needed to conquer Evil Santa and complete the Christmas event. Remember to bookmark this guide for reference, and share it with friends who might be struggling with this challenging boss encounter.
Good luck, survivor! May your aim be true and your rewards plentiful as you save Christmas from Evil Santa’s tyranny.