Christmas Eve

What is Christmas Eve?

Christmas Eve is the day and evening of December 24, the day before Christmas. In Christian tradition the celebration of Christmas begins on the evening before, and many churches hold a service in the evening or a midnight mass. In many European countries, Christmas Eve is the main moment of the festival, when presents are opened.

In Germany, Scandinavia and much of Central Europe, families exchange gifts on the evening of December 24, and in Poland the Wigilia supper is the highlight of the festival. In the English-speaking world, the presents traditionally wait until Christmas morning.

The date never changes; only the day of the week does.

In 2026 it falls on Thursday, December 24.

Christmas Eve in the United States

Christmas Eve is not a federal holiday, although many businesses close early and some employers give the day off. Occasionally the president gives federal employees an extra day off on December 24 by executive order. When Christmas falls on a Saturday, December 24 is the observed federal holiday.

Children leave out milk and cookies for Santa Claus. Many families attend a candlelight service or midnight mass, and in some communities Italian-American families hold the Feast of the Seven Fishes.