🎄 Christmas 2026Every country
When is Christmas 2026?
Christmas Day 2026 is on Friday, December 25, as it is every year on December 25. In Germany presents come on Christmas Eve, and in Spain many children wait for the Three Kings on January 6.
By the Gift DeskUpdated
Christmas in the US
Friday, December 25, 2026
Remind me before ChristmasAn email two weeks and three days before, with ideas. Free, in Your Giftruly.
Christmas 2026 and 2027, by country
The date never moves, but the day presents are opened does. The table shows when each country gives them, so a parcel to Berlin needs to land a day earlier than one to Boston, and a present for a child in Madrid can wait for Reyes.
| Country | 2026 | 2027 | Rule and how it’s kept |
|---|---|---|---|
| The USChristmas | Presents on Christmas morning. A federal holiday. | ||
| The UKChristmas Day | Presents on Christmas morning. Boxing Day, December 26, is a bank holiday too. | ||
| CanadaChristmas | Presents on Christmas morning. Boxing Day, December 26, is a holiday in much of the country. | ||
| FranceNoël | Presents after the réveillon dinner on Christmas Eve, or on Christmas morning. | ||
| GermanyWeihnachten | Presents on the evening of Christmas Eve (Heiligabend, the Bescherung). December 25 and 26 are both holidays. | ||
| SpainNavidad | Many children get their main presents on January 6 from the Three Kings; Papá Noel brings some on December 25. | ||
| ItalyNatale | Presents on Christmas Day. December 26 (Santo Stefano) is a holiday, and La Befana fills stockings on January 6. |
Orthodox churches that keep the Julian calendar celebrate Christmas on January 7.
How long before Christmas to start
Most people start their Christmas list in November: searches for “christmas list” peak that month, a few weeks before Secret Santa draws peak in December. Starting the list early is what keeps the budget calm, because each present is chosen instead of grabbed.
A good rhythm: the list and the budget in early November, the name draw for the adults by mid-November, most of the buying by early December, and the last week kept for wrapping.
Christmas gift ideas
- Christmas Gifts: A Calm Plan for Everyone on Your List
- Last-Minute Christmas Gifts That Still Make It in Time
- Christmas Gifts for Kids, From the Advent Countdown to New Year’s
- Stocking Stuffer Ideas That Won’t End Up in a Drawer by New Year’s
- Christmas Gifts Under $25 That Don’t Look Cheap
- Advent Calendars for Adults, Kids and Pets, and When to Buy Them
Questions people ask
What day of the week is Christmas 2026?
Christmas 2026 falls on a Friday. Christmas Eve is the Thursday before.
How many days until Christmas?
The countdown at the top of this page counts the days, hours and minutes to Christmas morning in your own time zone, and keeps counting while the page is open.
When do Germans open their Christmas presents?
On Christmas Eve, December 24, usually in the early evening after church or dinner. It's called the Bescherung. December 25 and 26 are both public holidays.
When do children in Spain get their presents?
Traditionally on January 6, Three Kings' Day, after the Kings' parade on the evening of January 5. Many families now give some presents on December 25 too.
When is Orthodox Christmas?
January 7, for churches that follow the Julian calendar, such as the Russian, Serbian and Georgian Orthodox churches. Greek and Romanian Orthodox churches celebrate on December 25.