Christmas Eve in the United States, which is annually on December 24, is the day before Christmas Day. It falls within the Christmas season, which is a time for people to buy presents and visit friends or relatives. It is preceded by Advent (Nativity Fast – Eastern Church with abstinence and penance) roughly 4 weeks prior to Christmas Day, which is a time of preparation for the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas Day starts the season of Christmastide that lasts 12 days until Epiphany Eve (January 5th). For Christians the birth of Jesus (Christmas Day) is one of the most important celebrations of the year with the evening before celebrated as part of the overall celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Days to Christmas Eve 2026 Thursday, December 24th is day number 358 of the 2026 calendar year with 4 months, 25 days until Christmas Eve 2026. Christmas Traditions Around the World While Christmas Day falls on December 25th across the globe, how it is celebrated varies enormously by country. In Germany, Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmarkte) run throughout Advent, selling mulled wine, gingerbread, and handmade ornaments. Children receive gifts from the Christkind (Christ Child) on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas morning. In Sweden. Christmas is one of the most celebrated holidays globally, observed annually on December 25th. Here is a simple breakdown of Christmas Day for the next decade: 2024: Wednesday, December 25 2025: Thursday, December 25 2026: Friday, December 25 2027: Saturday, December 25 2028: Monday, December 25 (leap year adds an extra day in February) 2029: Tuesday, December 25 2030: Wednesday, December 25. Related Holidays St Nicholas Day, Dec 6, 2026 Christmas Eve, Dec 24, 2026 Day After Christmas Day, Dec 26, 2026 Upcoming holidays in the United States Holidays in the United States 2026 Holidays in the United States 2027 On December 25, people across the United States celebrate Christmas, one of the nation’s most important holidays. There will be 11 federal holidays in 2026. More could be added to the slate after President Donald Trump signed legislation declaring Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, and Dec. 26 also as federal holidays. It gets tricky next calendar year because Dec. 26 falls on a Saturday. When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, the official holiday is set on Friday, which would already be Christmas. When a. Christmas Day is regarded by many people as the most important holiday of the year. It is a national public holiday in the United States as it is in most other countries. Christmas Day is observed on 25 December, and many also celebrate Christmas Eve on 24 December. In 2026, Christmas falls on Friday 25 December. The holiday will be on Saturday 25 December in 2027. Christmas Day is a Christian festival, celebrated on 25th December in all over the world. When is & how many days until Christmas in 2026? Popular modern traditions of Christmas Day 2026 include gift giving, completing an Advent calendar or Advent wreath, Christmas music, an exchange of Christmas cards, church services, a special meal, and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and.