Christmas Day 2023
Do you get the day off?
- The date, and why
- Christmas Day 2026 falls on Friday, December 25. Boxing Day falls on Saturday, December 26, with the substitute bank holiday on Monday, December 28.
- Where it counts as statutory
- Nationwide (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland). One of only two bank holidays that apply equally across all four nations without regional variation.
- What closes
- Almost all businesses close on Christmas Day. Public transport is extremely limited or suspended. Boxing Day sees some shops reopen for sales, though hours vary.
- Where the name comes from
- Christmas Day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is the UK's most observed holiday. Traditions include exchanging gifts, Christmas dinner with turkey and crackers, the King's Christmas speech, and family gatherings.
Same holiday, other years
Nearby in United Kingdom
Read from GOV.UK Bank Holidays · Last checked 2026-08-28 · Report a wrong date →