Christmas Day in the United States
View the global Christmas Day guide
Christmas Day is an annual holiday celebrated on 25 December.
Christmas Day in the United States is a U.S. federal holiday associated with the Christian Nativity and a widely observed cultural holiday. Its legal calendar rule is December 25.
Christmas Day
Holiday
United States
Country
2026
Next Date Year
Friday
Day
Dec
25
December 25, 2026
Christmas Day Date in United States
Date
December 25, 2026
Day
Friday
Public Holiday
Yes
Bank Holiday
No
Date Confirmed
Yes
Christmas Day Dates in United States
Christmas Day 2026
- Confirmed Official U.S. federal holiday schedule; OPM.
Christmas Day 2027
- Confirmed Official U.S. federal holiday schedule; Christmas Day observed because Dec 25 falls Saturday; OPM.
Christmas Day 2028
- Confirmed Official OPM 2028 federal holiday schedule; observed/in-lieu date where applicable. HolidayYear remains 2028, including the 31 December 2027 in-lieu date for New Year's Day 2028.
About Christmas Day
Christmas Day is one of the most widely observed holidays around the world. Traditions and public holiday arrangements vary by country.
History of Christmas Day
Christmas Day is the fixed December 25 federal holiday in §6103 and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. OPM applies the statutory in-lieu rule when the date falls on a weekend.
Importance of Christmas Day
Federal-holiday status governs federal agencies and covered federal employees. It does not require every private employer, state, school, bank or business to close or provide paid leave.
How Christmas Day Is Celebrated in United States
Christian worship, family gatherings, gifts and seasonal traditions mark Christmas, with practices varying widely across the United States.
Office Impact
Most federal offices close on the OPM-listed day, subject to essential staffing. State, local and private offices follow their own laws, calendars and employer policies.
Bank Impact
Federal Reserve and bank schedules should be checked separately. Branch hours and payment settlement can change even when electronic services remain available.
School Impact
School calendars are determined by state and local systems and individual institutions; a federal holiday is not a universal national school-closure mandate.
Travel Information
Distinguish December 25 from any OPM in-lieu weekday for federal employees. Airlines, transit systems and attractions publish their own Christmas schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Christmas Day in the United States?
The legal rule is December 25. OPM may list an earlier Friday or later Monday as the observed day for federal employees.
Must private employers close?
No. Federal law does not generally require private employers to provide holiday leave or holiday pay.
Are the legal and observed dates always the same?
No. A weekend fixed-date holiday can have an in-lieu weekday for most federal employees.