Christmas Day

Christmas Day, observed annually on December 25, commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and is one of the most significant Christian holidays in the United States. Although the New Testament does not specify Jesus’s birth date, December 25 became associated with Christmas in late antiquity, influenced in part by existing midwinter observances in the Roman world. The celebration developed in North America through European colonial traditions, including English Christmas customs, German Christmas trees, Dutch Sinterklaas traditions, and other immigrant influences. In 2026, Christmas Day falls on Friday, December 25, and is recognized as a federal holiday in the United States.

Over time, American Christmas has grown into both a religious observance and a broadly shared cultural season. Churches hold worship services, nativity programs, and carol services, while many households celebrate through gift-giving, family gatherings, charitable activities, and seasonal decorations. Nineteenth-century literature and popular culture helped shape the modern American image of Christmas, including Santa Claus, decorated evergreen trees, stockings, and an emphasis on generosity. Today, customs vary widely among Christian denominations, families, regions, and communities, while many Americans who are not Christian also participate in secular elements of the holiday.

Typical Christmas traditions in the United States include decorating homes and Christmas trees with lights and ornaments, displaying wreaths and nativity scenes, hanging stockings, exchanging presents, and listening to or singing Christmas music. Children may visit Santa Claus, write letters to him, or leave cookies and milk on Christmas Eve. Families often attend church services, watch holiday films, open gifts on Christmas morning, and take part in community events such as parades, concerts, charity drives, and neighborhood light displays. Common greetings include “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Christmas,” and, in more inclusive settings, “Happy Holidays.”

Christmas meals differ by region and family heritage but often include roast turkey, ham, beef, or other celebratory dishes, accompanied by potatoes, vegetables, stuffing, rolls, and cranberry sauce. Popular sweets and drinks include Christmas cookies, pies, fruitcake, gingerbread, eggnog, hot chocolate, and candy canes. Some households celebrate with traditions such as Advent calendars, Secret Santa exchanges, Christmas crackers, holiday baking, caroling, or watching seasonal sports and entertainment. Because Christmas Day is a federal holiday, banks, government offices, schools, and many businesses are closed, although some restaurants, retailers, transportation services, and emergency facilities remain open.