Christmas Day
Christmas Day 2026 falls on Friday 25 December. In 2027, Christmas Day falls on Saturday 25 December.
The dates of Christmas Day, this year and in the years ahead.
When is Christmas Day?
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Thursday, 25 December 2025 |
| 2026 | Friday, 25 December 2026 |
| 2027 | Saturday, 25 December 2027Day off: Monday, 27 December 2027 |
| 2028 | Monday, 25 December 2028 |
| 2029 | Tuesday, 25 December 2029 |
| 2030 | Wednesday, 25 December 2030 |
| 2031 | Thursday, 25 December 2031 |
Dates calculated from the statutory rules. Source: GOV.UK: UK bank holidays. More about our sources
What is Christmas?
On Christmas Day, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus. The Bible does not give a date; the church settled on the 25th of December in the fourth century. Over time the festival absorbed older midwinter customs, such as evergreen decorations and feasting during the darkest days of the year.
Many of today's traditions, such as the Christmas tree, Christmas cards and Santa Claus in his red suit, became popular in the nineteenth century, in Britain and America alike. In the church, Christmas is not a single day but a season of twelve days, lasting until Epiphany on the 6th of January.
The date never changes, only the day of the week.
In 2026, Christmas Day falls on Friday 25 December.
Christmas in the UK
Christmas Day is a bank holiday throughout the UK, followed by Boxing Day. If Christmas Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute bank holiday is given; when both days fall on the weekend, the substitutes are the Monday and Tuesday after. Large shops in England, Wales and Scotland are not allowed to open on Christmas Day.
Traditions include stockings, a roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings, crackers, Christmas pudding and the King's Christmas message in the afternoon. Public transport barely runs on Christmas Day, so plan any travel in advance.
Frequently asked questions
When is Christmas Day 2026?
In 2026, Christmas Day falls on Friday 25 December.
Is Christmas Day a day off?
Yes, Christmas Day is a public holiday in the United Kingdom.
Why is Christmas on the 25th of December?
The Bible gives no date for the birth of Jesus. The church chose the 25th of December in the fourth century, possibly to coincide with existing midwinter festivals.
What happens if Christmas Day falls on a weekend?
A substitute bank holiday is given. If both Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on a weekend, the substitute days are the following Monday and Tuesday.
Am I entitled to a day off on a bank holiday?
There is no statutory right to time off on a bank holiday. Whether you have the day off, and whether you are paid extra if you work, depends on your contract. Employers may include bank holidays in your statutory annual leave.