Christmas is celebrated by around two billion people — making it one of the most widely observed days on Earth. But it isn't the same everywhere: the date, the food, and the customs change dramatically from country to country. Here is a guide to Christmas dates, the history behind 25 December, and how the holiday is celebrated worldwide.
For the full holiday page see Christmas Day, or count down with our Christmas countdown.
When is Christmas?
Most of the world celebrates Christmas on 25 December. But not all:
| Tradition | Christmas date | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Western (Catholic & Protestant) | 25 December | Most of the world |
| Orthodox (Julian calendar) | 7 January | Russia, Serbia, Georgia, parts of Ukraine, Ethiopia |
| Armenian Apostolic | 6 January | Armenia |
In 2026, 25 December is a Friday; in 2027 it's a Saturday. Orthodox Christmas (7 January 2027) falls on a Thursday.
Why is Christmas on December 25?
The Bible doesn't record the date of Jesus's birth. The 25 December date was set by the Roman church in the 4th century AD — the first recorded celebration was in AD 336 in Rome. The date likely overlapped existing Roman winter festivals such as Sol Invictus (the "Unconquered Sun") and Saturnalia, easing the transition to Christian observance.
Orthodox churches that still follow the older Julian calendar celebrate the same feast, but it now falls on 7 January in the modern Gregorian calendar — a 13-day difference.
Christmas traditions around the world
- United Kingdom & Commonwealth: roast turkey, Christmas crackers, the monarch's broadcast, and Boxing Day (26 December) the day after.
- Germany: the home of the Christmas market (Weihnachtsmarkt), Advent calendars and the Christmas tree tradition, which spread worldwide from here.
- United States: Santa Claus, stockings, lights displays and a major gift-giving culture.
- Italy & Spain: the main meal is on Christmas Eve (La Vigilia / Nochebuena); Spain's gifts often come on 6 January (Three Kings' Day / Epiphany).
- Mexico & Latin America: Las Posadas processions for nine nights before Christmas, tamales, and nativity scenes.
- Philippines: the world's longest Christmas season — carols from September — and the Simbang Gabi dawn Masses.
- Japan: not a public holiday, but a popular secular event — famously featuring KFC fried chicken as a Christmas Eve meal.
- Ethiopia: Genna, Orthodox Christmas on 7 January, marked with fasting, church services and a traditional hockey-like game.
- Sweden & Scandinavia: St Lucia's Day (13 December) opens the season with candlelit processions.
Is Christmas a public holiday everywhere?
Christmas Day is an official public holiday in most of the world — including many non-Christian-majority countries. In a few places with small Christian populations it isn't a national day off, though it's still observed privately. Many countries also make Boxing Day (26 December) or Christmas Eve a holiday. Check your country on the calendar.
Quick answers
Why is Christmas on December 25? The Roman church fixed 25 December in the 4th century AD; the date overlapped Roman winter sun festivals. The Bible does not state Jesus's birth date.
Why do some countries celebrate Christmas on January 7? Orthodox churches still use the older Julian calendar, on which 25 December now corresponds to 7 January in the Gregorian calendar.
Which country has the longest Christmas season? The Philippines — Christmas songs and decorations often appear as early as September.
Is December 26 a holiday? In the UK, Commonwealth countries, Germany and Scandinavia, yes — it's Boxing Day or "Second Christmas Day."