How Many Days Until Christmas?
Until Christmas 2026
Friday, December 25, 2026
Christmas Day 2026 falls on Friday, December 25, 2026. Christmas Eve is Thursday, December 24, 2026.
This is the most-searched holiday countdown in the world. Approximately 5 million Americans search how many days until Christmas each December alone. The live countdown above updates every second and resets automatically to December 25, 2027 the day after Christmas passes.
| Days away | 97 |
| Weeks away | 13 weeks 6 days |
| Months away | 3 months |
| Business days away | 67 |
| Last Christmas | 267 days ago |
How Many Weeks and Months Until Christmas 2026?
Christmas 2026 lands on Friday, December 25, 2026. That is 13 weeks and 6 days away, or roughly 3 months. Here is the same countdown in every unit people ask for.
Weeks are counted as full 7 day blocks. Months are counted by calendar month, so a month can be 28 to 31 days long.
When Is Christmas? Dates for 2026 to 2031
Here is the exact date and day of the week for Christmas in each of the next 6 years.
| Year | Date | Day of week |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | December 25, 2026 | Friday |
| 2027 | December 25, 2027 | Saturday |
| 2028 | December 25, 2028 | Monday |
| 2029 | December 25, 2029 | Tuesday |
| 2030 | December 25, 2030 | Wednesday |
| 2031 | December 25, 2031 | Thursday |
Christmas 2026 Key Facts
- Date: Friday, December 25, 2026
- Day of week: Friday (3-day weekend for most workers)
- Christmas Eve: Thursday, December 24, 2026
- Federal holiday observed: Friday, December 25, 2026 (no shift required)
- Days from June 19, 2026: 189 days
- Shopping days from Black Friday (Nov 27): 28 days
In 2026, Christmas falls on a Friday. This creates a 3-day weekend (December 25, 26, 27) for most workers, and a 4-day weekend if your employer also gives Christmas Eve off. Many private-sector employers grant a paid floating holiday on December 24 in years when Christmas falls on Friday or Monday.
Christmas Around the United States
Christmas is observed in over 160 countries worldwide. In the United States, it is one of the 11 official US federal holidays. Federal offices, banks, post offices, and most retail stores close on December 25.
US consumer spending on Christmas reached approximately $964 billion in 2024 according to the National Retail Federation's holiday spending survey. The average household spent approximately $902 on gifts, food, and decorations during the November-December holiday window in 2024.
The most commonly purchased Christmas gifts in the US are clothing, gift cards, toys, and electronics. Approximately 91% of Americans celebrate Christmas, according to Pew Research Center surveys.
Christmas Eve Traditions
Christmas Eve (December 24) is observed with church services, family meals, and gift exchanges in many traditions. Catholic Midnight Mass is one of the most attended church services of the year.
In 2026, Christmas Eve falls on a Thursday. Many workers receive a partial or full day off. Federal employees do not get an official Christmas Eve holiday, but some years the sitting US President issues an executive order granting federal workers Christmas Eve off when Christmas falls on a Friday.
When to Start Christmas Shopping
The 2026 holiday shopping season effectively begins November 1 for online retailers and accelerates on Black Friday (November 27, 2026) and Cyber Monday (November 30, 2026).
Key dates for 2026 Christmas shopping:
- Black Friday: Friday, November 27, 2026 (28 shopping days until Christmas)
- Cyber Monday: Monday, November 30, 2026 (25 shopping days)
- Free Shipping Day: Approximately December 14, 2026
- USPS recommended last day for first-class mail (Christmas delivery): December 17, 2026
- UPS Ground last day for Christmas delivery: December 15-19, 2026 (varies by zone)
- FedEx Ground last day: December 16, 2026
For handmade or custom gifts, order 4 to 6 weeks before Christmas to allow production time.
Christmas History
Christmas was first observed as a Christian holiday on December 25 in the year 336 AD in Rome. The choice of December 25 was likely linked to the existing Roman winter solstice festival of Sol Invictus.
Christmas was made a federal holiday in the United States on June 26, 1870, when President Ulysses S. Grant signed legislation establishing it. Many of the modern Christmas traditions familiar today (decorated trees, gift exchanges, Santa Claus, mass-produced cards) developed in the 19th century.
The first US Christmas card was printed in 1875. The first electric Christmas tree lights were sold in 1882. Coca-Cola's modern depiction of Santa Claus, drawn by artist Haddon Sundblom, debuted in 1931.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Christmas 2026 falls on a Friday. December 25, 2026 is a Friday. This creates a 3-day weekend for workers who have December 25, 26, and 27 off. Christmas Eve (December 24) falls on a Thursday.
As of June 19, 2026, there are 189 days until Christmas Day on December 25, 2026. The live countdown at the top of this page shows the exact days, hours, minutes, and seconds remaining and updates every second.
Yes. Christmas Day is always observed on December 25 on the Gregorian calendar in Western Christian tradition. The federal holiday observance shifts to the preceding Friday when December 25 falls on a Saturday, and to the following Monday when it falls on a Sunday. In 2026, December 25 is a Friday, so no shift is needed.
Eastern Orthodox Christians who follow the Julian calendar (including Russia, Serbia, Ethiopia, and Georgia) celebrate Christmas on January 7. Eastern Orthodox Christmas 2027 falls on Thursday, January 7, 2027.
From June 19, 2026, there are 189 calendar days until Christmas. From Black Friday (November 27, 2026), there are 28 shopping days until Christmas. Most major retailers extend hours from December 17 through Christmas Eve.
The countdown resets automatically to December 25, 2027 on December 26, 2026. Christmas 2027 falls on a Saturday, meaning the federal holiday observance will be Friday, December 24, 2027.
US consumers spent approximately $964 billion on holiday shopping (November-December combined) in 2024, according to the National Retail Federation. The average household spent approximately $902. About 30% of all annual retail sales for many categories happen in November and December.
There are 13 weeks and 6 days until Christmas 2026 on Friday, December 25, 2026. That is 13.9 weeks counted as full 7 day blocks, and the number on this page updates every day.
Christmas 2026 is about 3 months away. Months are counted by calendar month, so each one can be 28 to 31 days long, which is why 97 days does not divide evenly into months.
Christmas 2026 is on Friday, December 25, 2026. Christmas is celebrated on December 25 every year, marking a Christian holiday and a major secular winter celebration in the United States.
Christmas 2027 is on Saturday, December 25, 2027. Christmas is celebrated on December 25 every year, marking a Christian holiday and a major secular winter celebration in the United States.
Christmas 2028 is on Monday, December 25, 2028. Christmas is celebrated on December 25 every year, marking a Christian holiday and a major secular winter celebration in the United States.
Christmas 2029 is on Tuesday, December 25, 2029. Christmas is celebrated on December 25 every year, marking a Christian holiday and a major secular winter celebration in the United States.