Christmas Holidays Around the World 2026
How Christmas is celebrated, how many days off you get, and what to expect as a traveler
5 min
Christmas 2026: The Global Holiday Season
Christmas 2026 falls on a Friday, making it one of the most favorable calendar placements possible. Combined with the weekend and Boxing Day or St. Stephen's Day on Saturday, most workers will enjoy at least a 3-day weekend without taking any leave. Those who also take December 28-31 off can get a full 10-day holiday stretching to New Year's Day (Friday, January 1, 2027) by using just 3 leave days.
Christmas is the most widely celebrated public holiday in the world, observed as an official day off in over 160 countries. Even in nations where Christianity is not the majority religion, December 25 is often recognized as a public holiday.
How Many Days Off at Christmas?
The number of official days off around Christmas varies by country. Most European nations give 2 days (December 25-26), while some countries only recognize December 25. In 2026, with Christmas on a Friday, the practical break extends naturally into the weekend.
3+ official days off: Austria (Dec 24 afternoon + 25-26), Germany (Dec 25-26 + many employers close Dec 24 afternoon), Czech Republic (Dec 24-26)
2 official days off: UK, France, Italy, Netherlands, Ireland, Poland (Dec 25-26)
1 official day off: USA, Portugal, Spain (Dec 25 only — though Spain also has Dec 6 Constitution Day and Dec 8 Immaculate Conception nearby)
Christmas Traditions by Country
What's Open at Christmas?
Christmas Day (December 25) is the most universally closed day of the year. Expect nearly everything to be shut: shops, supermarkets, banks, government offices, and most restaurants. Even in major tourist cities like London, Paris, and Rome, options are extremely limited.
Transport: Most public transport runs on a heavily reduced schedule or not at all on Christmas Day. December 26 typically sees a return to Sunday-level service. If you need to travel on Christmas Day, book taxis or private transfers well in advance.
Restaurants: In major cities, some hotel restaurants and a handful of upscale dining spots remain open on Christmas Day, but reservations are essential. Fast food chains and convenience stores in some countries (particularly the UK) may open with limited hours on December 26.
Museums & Attractions: Almost universally closed on December 25. Many reopen on December 26, though with reduced hours. Check individual venue websites for their holiday schedule.
Tips for Traveling at Christmas
If you are traveling during the Christmas period, book everything early — flights, hotels, and restaurant reservations fill up months in advance, especially for December 23-27. Consider visiting Christmas markets in Germany, Austria, or France in early December rather than the final week, when they are less crowded and prices are lower. Many markets close on December 23 or 24. Always have a backup plan for meals on December 25, as finding open restaurants can be genuinely difficult. Stock up on groceries on December 23 at the latest. In Southern European countries, shops typically close earlier on December 24 than in Northern Europe. Remember that the post-Christmas sales start on December 26 (Boxing Day) in the UK and on January 6 in Italy and Spain. These can be excellent opportunities for shopping if you time your trip right.