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Christian feast

Christmas Day

חג המולד

Reviewed & updated by יהב עטיה · About the team

25 December, the birth of Jesus in the Western Christian tradition. In many countries it's the most significant long weekend of the year, preceded by weeks of Christmas markets, street lights and local customs. Orthodox churches mark it on 7 January.

When & where

Christmas Day by country — 2026

In most countries the date is the same: Friday 25 December. A few move it to the nearest weekday.

North & Central America

South America

Africa

Asia

Europe

Oceania

North Atlantic

Caribbean

North America

Micronesia

For the traveller

How it affects a trip

The single most closed-down day of the year — museums, attractions, nearly all restaurants and shops, and minimal or no public transport. The 24th (Christmas Eve) and 26th are also reduced. Christmas markets, though, are a great reason to be in Europe in December — they usually wrap up on the 23rd–24th.

Q&A

Answers to your questions

When is Christmas Day in 2026?
Friday 25 December — the same date in 167 countries.
Which countries observe Christmas Day as a public holiday?
El Salvador, Paraguay, Liberia, Zambia, Brunei, Italy, Palau, Cyprus, Bolivia, French Polynesia, Norway, Slovenia and 159 more.
What's closed on Christmas Day?
In countries where it's a public holiday: banks, government offices and most shops close, and public transport shifts to a weekend timetable. Museums and attractions vary — check each one.
Is it a good time to travel around Christmas Day?
The single most closed-down day of the year — museums, attractions, nearly all restaurants and shops, and minimal or no public transport. The 24th (Christmas Eve) and 26th are also reduced. Christmas markets, though, are a great reason to be in Europe in December — they usually wrap up on the 23rd–24th.

About this page

Written and checked by the Around the World team. We compare prices across the major providers, cross-check official sources, and update when something changes. We have no stake in any one provider — links are affiliate links, and the price is the same for you.

Sources: Holiday dates: date-holidays · Background: Around the World

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