A frosty Christmas Eve is quiet and light.

Solokha, Vakula’s mother and a stately widow, comes outside from her hut. She is courted by Pan Golova, the Schoolmaster and Chub. All of a sudden, a new admirer appears — it is the Devil from hell. He hints at knowing Solokha’s secret — she is a witch. The company takes a walk, Solokha rides a broomstick, and the Devil follows her raising a snowstorm and stealing the moon. The Devil wants to take vengeance on his enemy Vakula the Smith who painted the Devil in an unsightly manner, so funny that they mocked at the Devil even in hell. The Devil thinks that everyone will stay inside because of foul weather, and Vakula will not be able to see Oksana who he is in love with while her father went to the shinok.