Christmas Day
Christmas Day 2026 falls on Friday, December 25. In 2027, Christmas Day falls on Saturday, December 25.
The dates of Christmas Day, this year and in the years ahead.
When is Christmas Day?
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Thursday, December 25, 2025 |
| 2026 | Friday, December 25, 2026 |
| 2027 | Saturday, December 25, 2027Day off: Friday, December 24, 2027 |
| 2028 | Monday, December 25, 2028 |
| 2029 | Tuesday, December 25, 2029 |
| 2030 | Wednesday, December 25, 2030 |
| 2031 | Thursday, December 25, 2031 |
Dates calculated from the statutory rules. Source: U.S. Office of Personnel Management: federal 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 December 25 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 January 6.
The date never changes, only the day of the week.
In 2026, Christmas Day falls on Friday, December 25.
Christmas in the United States
Christmas Day is a federal holiday, and most businesses are closed. When December 25 falls on a Saturday, federal employees get Friday, December 24 off; when it falls on a Sunday, the holiday is observed on Monday, December 26.
Families decorate a tree, hang stockings and open presents on Christmas morning, brought overnight by Santa Claus. Many go to church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, followed by a festive dinner. Because Christmas and New Year's Day are a week apart, many people take time off in between.
Frequently asked questions
When is Christmas Day 2026?
In 2026, Christmas Day falls on Friday, December 25.
Is Christmas Day a day off?
Christmas Day is a federal holiday: federal offices are closed and federal employees have the day off. Whether state offices, schools and private businesses close depends on the state and the employer; private employers are not required to give the day off.
Why is Christmas on December 25?
The Bible gives no date for the birth of Jesus. The church chose December 25 in the fourth century, possibly to coincide with existing midwinter festivals.
What happens if Christmas falls on a weekend?
For federal employees, a Saturday Christmas is observed on Friday, December 24, and a Sunday Christmas on Monday, December 26.