Christmas Day 2026
Friday 25 December 2026
Christmas Day celebrates the birth of Jesus in the Christian calendar and is a public holiday across the UK. Religious observance, family traditions and community activities take different forms.
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Dates and event details
Christmas Day 2026 is Friday 25 December.
| Year | Christmas Day | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 25 December | Friday |
| 2027 | 25 December | Saturday |
| 2028 | 25 December | Monday |
| Where | UK, international, US and Australia |
|---|
What is Christmas Day?
Christmas Day is the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus and a public holiday throughout the UK. It is also observed in many households through meals, gifts and time with others. Traditions and beliefs differ, and not everyone celebrates the day.
For calendar planning, distinguish the fixed date of Christmas Day from substitute bank holidays and the opening arrangements of individual organisations. A bank holiday does not mean that every workplace, shop or service follows the same timetable.
What is open on Christmas Day?
Opening arrangements depend on the service, location and applicable rules. Confirm the specific branch, venue or operator’s current Christmas information. A normal Friday timetable is not reliable evidence for 25 December.
- Shops: check the branch’s announced hours and the relevant nation’s Christmas trading rules.
- Travel: use the transport operator’s confirmed holiday timetable, including the last service before Christmas and the first service afterwards.
- Restaurants and attractions: confirm availability, advance booking, access and cancellation terms directly.
- Health services: use official local information for holiday opening and access arrangements.
- Deliveries and collections: check the provider or council’s published Christmas schedule.
GOV.UK explains Christmas closure requirements for large shops in England and Wales. Scotland has separate Christmas Day restrictions under the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Trading (Scotland) Act 2007. Do not interpret Scotland’s general lack of Sunday trading restrictions as meaning there are no Christmas Day rules.
When is Christmas Day 2026?
Christmas Day falls on Friday 25 December 2026. The date stays on 25 December each year. Christmas Eve is Thursday 24 December, and Boxing Day is Saturday 26 December.
Christmas bank holidays in the UK
GOV.UK confirms Friday 25 December and Monday 28 December as the 2026 Christmas and Boxing Day bank holidays in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Monday is a substitute for Boxing Day falling on Saturday; it does not change Boxing Day’s calendar date.
In 2027, Christmas Day falls on Saturday, with its substitute bank holiday on Monday 27 December. The Boxing Day substitute follows on Tuesday 28 December. Check the relevant nation’s official calendar when arranging leave, deliveries or service cover.
Employees do not automatically have a right to a day off solely because a date is a bank holiday. Check the employment contract and the employer’s arrangements rather than assuming that everyone has the same break.
Christmas as a religious observance
The Church of England’s calendar places Christmas Day on 25 December, following Advent, with Epiphany on 6 January. A church’s own service listing gives the times, venue and any booking or access information for worship.
In a school or community programme, explain the religious meaning accurately while allowing for different beliefs and family traditions. Ask people how they wish to participate rather than assuming a shared celebration.
The Royal Christmas Broadcast
The monarch’s Christmas message is a familiar part of the UK’s festive broadcasting. The Royal Family’s history of the broadcast traces its beginning to George V’s radio message in 1932.
The traditional UK broadcast time is 3pm, but check the broadcaster’s confirmed 2026 Christmas schedule for the channel and viewing options you want. A previous year’s programme listing is not a confirmed 2026 announcement.
A practical Christmas planning checklist
For a workplace, publish closing dates, staff cover and the reopening date together. Include a clear contact route for matters that cannot wait. Tell customers about delivery deadlines and service limits before they make plans around them.
For a gathering, agree the date, travel arrangements, access needs and food requirements before buying supplies. Keep the invitation clear about costs and expectations. Avoid assuming that everyone wants gifts, alcohol or a large social event.
For a community activity, check volunteer cover, venue access and the arrangements for cancellations. Use the organiser’s actual event date on publicity, even if it takes place before Christmas Day.
Reviewed 23 October 2026. Checked UK bank holidays and substitute dates, clarified national trading differences and replaced unconfirmed service schedules with current-provider checks.
Frequently asked questions
What day is Christmas Day 2026?
Christmas Day is Friday 25 December 2026.
Is Christmas Day a bank holiday across the UK?
Yes. Friday 25 December is a bank holiday in all four UK nations in 2026.
When is the Boxing Day bank holiday in 2026?
Boxing Day is Saturday 26 December. Its substitute bank holiday is Monday 28 December.
Does Christmas Day move when it falls on a weekend?
No. Christmas Day remains 25 December. A substitute bank holiday can be observed on another day.
Will shops and transport run normally?
Do not assume normal opening or timetables. Check each provider’s confirmed Christmas arrangements and the rules relevant to its location.
