Christmas Day 2025 in the United Kingdom

On December 25, people across the United Kingdom celebrate Christmas, one of the nation’s most widely observed holidays. For Christians, it marks the birth of Jesus, while for many others, it is a time for family gatherings, festive meals, and exchanging gifts.

Is Christmas Day a Public Holiday?

Christmas Day is a public holiday. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.

When Is Christmas Celebrated in the UK?

Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25 across the United Kingdom, but the celebrations start weeks in advance. As streets glow with lights and decorations appear in windows, the festive spirit builds toward one of the year’s most joyful holidays.

What’s Open, What’s Closed?

• Closures: Schools, banks, and government offices are closed, and most shops and restaurants either close completely or operate shorter hours. Grocery stores usually stay open on Christmas Eve for last-minute shopping, often closing earlier than usual. All supermarkets are closed on Christmas Day, though some small convenience stores and petrol station shops may open for limited hours.
• Transportation: Public transport operates on a much-reduced or holiday timetable. In the days around Christmas, buses, trains, and subways may run less frequently, while on Christmas Day most services stop entirely. Airports, however, remain busy as people travel to visit family and friends.
• Community life: Streets are generally quiet, but homes, shops, and public spaces shine with festive lights and colourful displays. Boxing Day marks the start of the post-Christmas sales, one of the biggest events in the retail calendar.

How People Celebrate Christmas in the UK

Christmas in the UK blends religious, royal, and folk customs with modern festive culture. While traditions vary by region and family, some of the most popular include:

• Decorations are seen from early December, as homes across the UK glow with twinkling lights, evergreen wreaths, and decorated Christmas trees. Many families count down the days with Advent calendars, which are especially popular in households with children.
• Christmas Eve and church services are celebrated on December 24. Many people attend midnight mass or evening church services, and singing carols—whether in church, at community gatherings, or door-to-door—remains a beloved tradition celebrating the birth of Jesus.
• The Christmas dinner features roast turkey, stuffing, roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts, gravy, and cranberry sauce. It is followed by Christmas pudding, a rich steamed fruit pudding served with brandy butter or custard. Mince pies, small pastries filled with spiced fruit, are another festive favourite.
• Christmas crackers are a playful British favourite. They are colourful paper tubes that “pop” when pulled apart, revealing a paper crown, a small trinket, and a corny joke.
• Gift-giving involves exchanging presents on Christmas morning, often placed under the tree or in stockings hung by the fireplace. Children eagerly await the arrival of Father Christmas or Santa Claus, sometimes leaving out mince pies and a glass of milk for Santa, along with a carrot for Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer.
• Christmas markets are held throughout December in towns and cities across the UK. They offer crafts, food, and entertainment, with London’s Covent Garden and Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland among the most famous.
• Pantomimes are a uniquely British form of comic theatre performed throughout December and early January, providing comic entertainment for families during the holiday season.

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Historical Roots

Many of Britain’s Christmas traditions began as pagan winter festivals and later became part of Christian celebrations of Jesus’ birth. Over time, some medieval customs—such as feasting, singing to trees (wassailing), and lighting Yule logs—were incorporated into Christmas festivities, blending older seasonal practices with Christian traditions.

The Victorian era shaped much of the modern British Christmas. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert popularized the Christmas tree in the 1840s, and the first commercial Christmas card appeared in London in 1843. Foods like mince pies and Christmas pudding also became more common.

Victorian writers, especially Charles Dickens with A Christmas Carol (1843), emphasized family, charity, and goodwill, ideas that still influence Christmas today. Some regional customs, such as mumming plays—folk performances featuring costumed actors, music, sword-fighting, and light-hearted storytelling—have also survived in parts of the UK.

These historical roots paved the way for many of the traditions people enjoy today, from festive decorations and meals to family gatherings and community celebrations.

Royal Traditions

A cherished national tradition is The Christmas Message, broadcast every December 25. The custom began with King George V in 1932 and was continued for decades by Queen Elizabeth II, whose annual messages became a beloved part of the British Christmas experience. Her speeches often reflected themes of faith, service, and unity.

Today, King Charles III carries on the tradition, frequently reflecting on personal and national challenges, acknowledging those who serve others, and emphasizing shared humanity and community responsibility.

Modern Trends

In recent years, newer festive trends such as Christmas Eve boxes—small gifts or treats opened the night before—and matching family pyjamas have become increasingly popular across the UK, especially among families with young children.

Towns and cities across the UK hold Christmas light switch-on events from mid-November to early December, drawing crowds to mark the start of the festive season.

Looking Ahead to the New Year

The Christmas period naturally flows into New Year’s celebrations. Many people take additional time off work between Christmas and early January, creating one of the longest holiday breaks of the year for many families. New Year’s Eve is celebrated with fireworks, parties, and resolutions, while Hogmanay, Scotland’s distinctive New Year celebration, features its own rich traditions and importance.

Did You Know?

• The world’s first commercial Christmas card was sent from London in 1843.
• The Royal Christmas Message was first broadcast on the radio before later moving to television.

A Season of Celebration

From historic customs and royal traditions to modern festivities and family gatherings, Christmas in the United Kingdom remains a season of warmth, generosity, and shared joy. Whether marked with midnight carols, a Christmas meal, or festive lights, the holiday continues to unite communities across the nation in celebration.

About Christmas Day in Other Countries

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.