The short answer
Christmas 2026 falls on Friday, December 25, 2026, and it is a federal holiday, so most people get a three-day weekend through Sunday, December 27. Christmas Eve is Thursday, December 24. Christmas 2026 is on Friday, December 25, and the first USPS shipping cutoff for Christmas delivery is Thursday, December 17.
- What day is Christmas 2026: Friday, December 25.
- Is Christmas Eve a federal holiday: No, not by law; no 2026 executive order yet.
- When does Advent start 2026: Sunday, November 29.
- When is Hanukkah 2026: Sundown Friday, December 4, to sundown Saturday, December 12.
- Kwanzaa: Saturday, December 26, 2026, to Friday, January 1, 2027.
- New Year’s Day 2027: Friday, January 1, another long weekend.
Dec 25
Christmas Day 2026 (Friday)
72
Days to go from October 14
Dec 17
USPS Ground Advantage send-by date
Dec 4
Hanukkah begins at sundown
Last checked: October 14, 2026. Dates for shipping, markets and events come from the organizers’ own announcements, and we link each source below.
In this article
Christmas 2026 is the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus, held every year on December 25, and in the United States it is also the biggest secular holiday of the year, with gifts, decorations, lights and family meals. This guide gives you the exact Christmas 2026 date, the federal holiday rules, nearby holidays such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, and a day-by-day December calendar so you can plan gifts, shipping and travel without a last-minute scramble.
Because this page is the hub of our holiday coverage, it also links every Bee Bulletin Christmas guide, from Christmas gift ideas to Christmas shipping deadlines and New Year’s plans.
When Is Christmas 2026?
Christmas 2026 is on Friday, December 25, 2026. The US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the agency that publishes the official federal holiday schedule, lists Christmas Day as Friday, December 25 in its 2026 calendar.
Christmas never moves, because the date is fixed at December 25 rather than tied to a weekday. However, the weekday changes every year, so the practical question is usually how the holiday lines up with your work week. In 2026 the answer is simple: Christmas Eve is a Thursday, Christmas Day is a Friday, and the weekend follows straight after.
What day is Christmas 2026?
Christmas Day 2026 is a Friday. As a result, Christmas Eve is Thursday, December 24, and Boxing Day, the day after Christmas that the UK, Canada and Australia observe as a public holiday, is Saturday, December 26. In the US, December 26 is not a holiday, but since it lands on a Saturday this year, most people are off anyway.
Is Christmas 2026 a long weekend?
Yes, Christmas 2026 creates a three-day weekend from Friday, December 25, to Sunday, December 27, for anyone on a Monday-to-Friday schedule. Then New Year’s Day 2027 also falls on a Friday, so a second three-day weekend runs from January 1 to January 3. If you take Monday, December 28, through Thursday, December 31, off, four vacation days buy you a 10-day break.
Pro tip. Because both holidays fall on Fridays, booking time off for December 28 to 31 early is the cheapest way to get a long break, since many coworkers will want the same week.
How Many Days Until Christmas?
Christmas 2026 falls on Friday, December 25; the countdown below shows the days left from key dates. The countdown shrinks quickly once the fall holidays begin, so the milestones below help you pace gift shopping and shipping.
| Date | Days until Christmas 2026 | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, October 14 | 72 | Make your gift list and budget |
| Sunday, November 1 | 54 | Order personalized and handmade gifts |
| Thursday, November 26 (Thanksgiving) | 29 | Finalize the list before Black Friday |
| Tuesday, December 1 | 24 | Day 1 on most advent calendars |
| Thursday, December 17 | 8 | Last recommended USPS Ground Advantage drop-off |
| Thursday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) | 1 | Wrap, cook and relax |
So if you want the best deals without the December crush, Thanksgiving week is the sweet spot. Black Friday is November 27 and Cyber Monday is November 30, and our Black Friday 2026 guide explains which sales are worth waiting for.
Is Christmas a Federal Holiday?
Yes, Christmas Day is a federal holiday. It is one of the 11 annual legal public holidays listed in 5 U.S.C. 6103, the federal law that sets holidays for federal employees, alongside New Year’s Day, Independence Day and Thanksgiving.
In practice, that means federal offices close, the Postal Service does not deliver regular mail, and most banks close on Friday, December 25, 2026. Meanwhile, states set their own holidays, but every state also closes for Christmas, and most private employers give the day off too.
Is Christmas Eve a federal holiday in 2026?
No, Christmas Eve is not a legal public holiday, so Thursday, December 24, 2026, is a regular workday under federal law. That said, presidents sometimes close agencies by executive order. For example, an order signed on December 18, 2025, gave federal workers Christmas Eve and December 26, 2025, off, but it covered only those 2025 dates.
As of October 14, 2026, no similar order exists for this year. Such orders typically arrive in mid-December, if at all, so check OPM closer to the date. Even when agencies close, private businesses decide their own hours, which is why our list of stores open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day matters on December 24.
What happens when Christmas falls on a weekend?
When December 25 lands on a Saturday, federal workers get the Friday before off instead, and when it lands on a Sunday, they get the following Monday. For instance, OPM already lists Christmas 2027 as observed on Friday, December 24, 2027, because December 25, 2027, is a Saturday.
What Day Is Christmas From 2026 to 2030?
After Christmas 2026 on a Friday, the holiday moves to a Saturday in 2027 and then jumps to a Monday in 2028, because 2028 is a leap year. The table also shows the federal observed day, which matters if you schedule vacation in advance.
| Year | Christmas Eve | Christmas Day | Federal observed day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday, Dec 24 | Friday, Dec 25 | Friday, Dec 25 |
| 2027 | Friday, Dec 24 | Saturday, Dec 25 | Friday, Dec 24 |
| 2028 | Sunday, Dec 24 | Monday, Dec 25 | Monday, Dec 25 |
| 2029 | Monday, Dec 24 | Tuesday, Dec 25 | Tuesday, Dec 25 |
| 2030 | Tuesday, Dec 24 | Wednesday, Dec 25 | Wednesday, Dec 25 |
So 2026 and 2028 both give a natural three-day weekend, while 2029 and 2030 put Christmas midweek, which usually means more people take extra days off.
Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Advent Dates This Season
Hanukkah 2026 runs from sundown on Friday, December 4, to sundown on Saturday, December 12, and Kwanzaa runs from December 26, 2026, to January 1, 2027. Advent, meanwhile, begins on Sunday, November 29, 2026. Here is what each one means and how it fits around Christmas.
When is Hanukkah 2026?
Hanukkah, the eight-night Jewish Festival of Lights that remembers the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, begins at sundown on December 4, 2026, according to My Jewish Learning. The first candle is lit that Friday evening, and the holiday ends at sundown on Saturday, December 12. Because it ends nearly two weeks before Christmas, USPS specifically reminds customers that Hanukkah is earlier this year, so ship those gifts by late November.
When does Advent start in 2026?
Advent, the four-week season of preparation for Christmas in many Christian churches, starts on Sunday, November 29, 2026. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) church calendar lists the four Advent Sundays as November 29 and December 6, 13 and 20. In contrast, most advent calendars ignore the church dates and simply run from December 1 to December 24; our best advent calendars guide covers the options.
When is Kwanzaa 2026?
Kwanzaa, an annual celebration of African American family and cultural values, runs from Saturday, December 26, 2026, through Friday, January 1, 2027. According to Britannica, Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana studies, created the holiday in 1966. Each of its seven nights honors one of seven principles, starting with Umoja, or unity.
| Holiday | 2026 dates | Days around Christmas |
|---|---|---|
| First Sunday of Advent | Sunday, November 29 | 26 days before |
| Hanukkah | Sundown Dec 4 to sundown Dec 12 | Ends 13 days before |
| Christmas Eve | Thursday, December 24 | 1 day before |
| Kwanzaa | Dec 26, 2026, to Jan 1, 2027 | Starts the day after |
| New Year’s Eve | Thursday, December 31 | 6 days after |
Your December Planning Calendar
The December 2026 planning calendar below puts every key date in one place, from the first Advent Sunday through New Year’s Day. In short, finish online orders by mid-December, because the last recommended USPS send-by dates fall between December 17 and December 19.
| Date | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 7 | Rockefeller Center tree arrives in New York | Unofficial start of the season |
| Fri, Nov 20 | Chicago Christkindlmarket opens | Market season begins |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Thanksgiving | Family time and the countdown to Christmas 2026 |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Black Friday | Biggest gift-deal day |
| Sun, Nov 29 | First Sunday of Advent | Church season begins |
| Mon, Nov 30 | Cyber Monday | Online deals, especially tech |
| Tue, Dec 1 | Advent calendars begin | Door 1 of 24 |
| Wed, Dec 2 | Rockefeller Center tree lighting | Major televised event |
| Fri, Dec 4 | Hanukkah begins at sundown | First candle |
| Sat, Dec 12 | Hanukkah ends at sundown | Eighth night ends |
| Thu, Dec 17 | USPS Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail send-by | Cheapest shipping cutoff |
| Fri, Dec 18 | USPS Priority Mail send-by | Second-chance shipping |
| Sat, Dec 19 | USPS Priority Mail Express send-by | Final USPS option |
| Thu, Dec 24 | Christmas Eve | Many stores close early |
| Fri, Dec 25 | Christmas Day | Federal holiday |
| Sat, Dec 26 | Kwanzaa begins | First of seven nights |
| Thu, Dec 31 | New Year’s Eve | Party night |
| Fri, Jan 1, 2027 | New Year’s Day; Kwanzaa ends | Federal holiday |
Christmas 2026 shipping deadlines at a glance
For Christmas delivery within the lower 48 states, USPS recommends sending Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail by Thursday, December 17, Priority Mail by Friday, December 18, and Priority Mail Express by Saturday, December 19. However, USPS stresses that these are recommendations rather than guarantees, and Alaska, Hawaii and military addresses need earlier dates.
Watch out. UPS, FedEx and Amazon set their own cutoffs, and international USPS dates are earlier still. Our shipping guide tracks every carrier, so check it before you mail anything.
Christmas Activities Worth Planning Now
The best Christmas activities are the ones you book or plan early: light displays, markets, baking days, movie nights and gift exchanges. Below are reliable ideas for every kind of household, plus links to our deeper guides.
Christmas activities at home
1. Advent countdown – Best for kids
An advent calendar turns the 24 days of December into a daily ritual, and it works for adults too, with coffee, beauty and LEGO versions.
- Start date: December 1, so buy by late November.
- Shop: Check advent calendars on Amazon
- Our picks: Best advent calendars 2026
2. Christmas movie marathon – Best for cozy nights
Pick a classic each weekend in December, then save the favorite for Christmas Eve. Since streaming lineups change yearly, check what each service is carrying before you plan.
- Where to start: The best Christmas movies of all time
- Soundtrack: Our Christmas party playlist
3. Ugly sweater party – Best for groups
An ugly sweater party is cheap, easy and photogenic, and it doubles as an office event. Plus, it gives everyone an instant conversation starter.
4. Gingerbread and baking day – Best for families
A baking afternoon fills the house with smells of the season, and the results double as gifts for neighbors and teachers.
- Shop: Check gingerbread house kits on Amazon
- Homemade gift ideas: DIY Christmas gifts
Christmas activities around town
Outside the house, look for drive-through light shows, holiday concerts, church services, ice rinks and Christmas markets. Also, consider volunteering at a food bank or toy drive, which many families make a yearly tradition. For party plans, our Christmas party ideas and games work for both homes and offices.
Christmas Markets and Big Events in the US
A Christmas market is an outdoor holiday fair, modeled on German Christkindlmarkts, with wooden stalls selling crafts, ornaments, mulled wine and food. The US now has dozens, and these three big events have already confirmed their 2026 dates.
Christkindlmarket Chicago
Chicago’s Christkindlmarket, a German-style market celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, opens on Friday, November 20, 2026, at all three locations, according to NBC Chicago. Daley Plaza in the Loop runs daily through December 24, Wrigleyville at Gallagher Way runs through December 31, and Aurora’s RiverEdge Park opens Thursday to Sunday through December 24. Admission is free, but bring cash, because some vendors do not take cards.
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
New York’s Winter Village in Bryant Park opens its 25th season on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, and runs through February 28, 2027, according to Time Out New York. Its holiday shops, with more than 180 vendors, stay open through January 3, while the rink offers free admission.
Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting
The Rockefeller Center tree arrives on Saturday, November 7, and the lighting ceremony takes place on Wednesday, December 2, 2026, Time Out New York reports. Performers and broadcast details had not been announced as of October 14, so expect them in November.
| Event | City | 2026 dates | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christkindlmarket Daley Plaza | Chicago, IL | Nov 20 to Dec 24 | Free entry |
| Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville | Chicago, IL | Nov 20 to Dec 31 | Free entry |
| Christkindlmarket Aurora | Aurora, IL | Nov 20 to Dec 24 (Thu to Sun) | Free entry |
| Winter Village at Bryant Park | New York, NY | Oct 28, 2026, to Feb 28, 2027 | Free rink admission |
| Rockefeller Center tree lighting | New York, NY | Dec 2 | Free, crowds are heavy |
Your Christmas 2026 Guide
Your Christmas 2026 guide starts here: every Bee Bulletin holiday article, grouped by what you need to do. Bookmark this page, because we update each guide as retailers, carriers and studios confirm their 2026 plans.
Gifts
- Christmas gift ideas 2026 for everyone on your list
- Christmas gifts for her: wife, girlfriend and mom
- Christmas gifts for him: husband, boyfriend and dad
- Christmas gifts for kids and teens
- White elephant gift ideas
- Secret Santa gift ideas
- Stocking stuffer ideas
- Best advent calendars 2026
- DIY Christmas gifts
Decor, food and home
- Christmas decorations: indoor, outdoor and DIY
- Christmas tree decorating ideas
- Elf on the Shelf ideas
- Christmas dinner menu ideas
Watch, listen and party
- Best Christmas movies of all time
- Christmas songs and party playlist
- Christmas party ideas and games
- Ugly Christmas sweaters
- Christmas Eve box ideas
Words, traditions and practical help
- Christmas greetings, wishes and card messages
- Christmas traditions in the US and around the world
- Stores and restaurants open on Christmas
- Christmas shipping deadlines
Before and after Christmas
- Thanksgiving 2026 guide
- Black Friday 2026 deals guide
- Cyber Monday 2026
- New Year’s Eve party ideas
- New Year wishes 2027
- New Year’s resolution ideas
Our verdict
Christmas 2026 is one of the easiest holidays to plan in years: it lands on Friday, December 25, so you get a built-in three-day weekend, and New Year’s Day repeats the pattern a week later. Meanwhile, Hanukkah ends early, on December 12, so anyone shipping gifts for both holidays should mail by late November.
Overall, the dates that matter most are November 27 for Black Friday deals, December 1 for advent calendars, and December 17 for the cheapest USPS shipping. Mark those three, then use the guides above to fill in gifts, food and fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
What day is Christmas 2026?
Christmas 2026 is on Friday, December 25, 2026. Christmas Eve falls on Thursday, December 24. Because Christmas Day is a federal holiday, most office workers get a three-day weekend from Friday, December 25, through Sunday, December 27, and New Year’s Day 2027 then lands on the following Friday.
How many days until Christmas 2026?
Christmas 2026 falls on Friday, December 25. From November 1 the count is 54 days, from Thanksgiving on November 26 it is 29 days, and from December 1 it is 24 days, which is why most advent calendars have 24 doors.
Is Christmas Eve a federal holiday in 2026?
No. Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 2026, is not one of the legal public holidays in federal law. However, presidents sometimes close federal agencies on Christmas Eve by executive order, as happened in 2025. As of October 14, 2026, no such order has been issued for 2026, so check OPM in December.
When does Advent start in 2026?
Advent 2026 starts on Sunday, November 29, 2026, the first of four Sundays before Christmas. The other Advent Sundays fall on December 6, 13 and 20. Most advent calendars, however, simply open their first door on December 1 and count down 24 days to Christmas Eve.
When is Hanukkah 2026?
Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, December 4, and ends at sundown on Saturday, December 12. The first candle is lit on the evening of December 4. Because it ends nearly two weeks before Christmas, USPS advises people mailing Hanukkah gifts to plan their shipping earlier this year.
Is Christmas 2026 a long weekend?
Yes. Christmas 2026 falls on a Friday, so most workers with a Monday-to-Friday schedule get Friday, December 25, through Sunday, December 27, off. New Year’s Day 2027 is also a Friday, which creates a second three-day weekend from January 1 to January 3, 2027.
