Christian Holiday
What is Boxing Day?
26 December — observed as Boxing Day in the UK and Commonwealth, St. Stephen's Day in much of continental Europe, and the Second Day of Christmas in Germanic and Nordic countries.
144
Countries
Dec 25
2026
Dec 25
2027
History & Origins
26 December is a public holiday across a surprisingly diverse range of traditions. In the United Kingdom and most of the Commonwealth (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa), it is known as Boxing Day. The name most likely derives from the tradition of opening church alms boxes for the poor on this day, or from the practice of servants and tradespeople receiving a "Christmas box" — a gift from their employers the day after Christmas.
In Ireland and many continental European countries the day is St. Stephen's Day, honouring Stephen, the first Christian martyr, who was stoned to death shortly after the death of Jesus. In Germanic and Nordic countries it is simply the Second Day of Christmas (Zweiter Weihnachtstag in German), part of the twelve-day Christmas season.
Today Boxing Day in the Commonwealth is associated with sports — notably test cricket in Australia and horse racing at Kempton Park in the UK — and with post-Christmas retail sales. It is a statutory public holiday across the Commonwealth and in much of continental Europe, making the Christmas–Boxing Day stretch one of the longest guaranteed holiday periods of the year.
When is Boxing Day?
Which countries observe Boxing Day?
144 countries- Armenia01/05
- Serbia01/07
- Kosovo01/07
- United States12/25
- Canada12/25
- Mexico12/25
- United Kingdom12/25
- Germany12/25
- France12/25
- Italy12/25
- Spain12/25
- Netherlands12/25
- Portugal12/25
- Belgium12/25
- Switzerland12/25
- Austria12/25
- Sweden12/25
- Norway12/25
- Denmark12/25
- Finland12/25
- Poland12/25
- Czech Republic12/25
- Slovakia12/25
- Hungary12/25
- Romania12/25
- Bulgaria12/25
- Croatia12/25
- Slovenia12/25
- Greece12/25
- Ireland12/25
- Luxembourg12/25
- Lithuania12/25
- Latvia12/25
- Estonia12/25
- Ukraine12/25
- Iceland12/25
- Malta12/25
- Cyprus12/25
- Andorra12/25
- Albania12/25
- Liechtenstein12/25
- Monaco12/25
- Moldova12/25
- San Marino12/25
- Brazil12/25
- Argentina12/25
- Chile12/25
- Colombia12/25
- Peru12/25
- Venezuela12/25
- Ecuador12/25
- Bolivia12/25
- Paraguay12/25
- Uruguay12/25
- Guatemala12/25
- Cuba12/25
- Dominican Republic12/25
- Honduras12/25
- El Salvador12/25
- Nicaragua12/25
- Costa Rica12/25
- Panama12/25
- Antigua and Barbuda12/25
- Barbados12/25
- Bahamas12/25
- Belize12/25
- Dominica12/25
- Grenada12/25
- Guyana12/25
- Haiti12/25
- Jamaica12/25
- Saint Kitts and Nevis12/25
- Saint Lucia12/25
- Suriname12/25
- Trinidad and Tobago12/25
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines12/25
- Australia12/25
- New Zealand12/25
- South Korea12/25
- India12/25
- Singapore12/25
- Malaysia12/25
- Indonesia12/25
- Philippines12/25
- Pakistan12/25
- Bangladesh12/25
- Hong Kong12/25
- Sri Lanka12/25
- Brunei12/25
- Fiji12/25
- Myanmar12/25
- Macau12/25
- Papua New Guinea12/25
- Solomon Islands12/25
- East Timor12/25
- Tonga12/25
- Vanuatu12/25
- Samoa12/25
- Jordan12/25
- Lebanon12/25
- Syria12/25
- South Africa12/25
- Nigeria12/25
- Kenya12/25
- Ghana12/25
- Angola12/25
- Burkina Faso12/25
- Burundi12/25
- Benin12/25
- Botswana12/25
- DR Congo12/25
- Central African Republic12/25
- Republic of Congo12/25
- Cote d'Ivoire12/25
- Cameroon12/25
- Cabo Verde12/25
- Eritrea12/25
- Gabon12/25
- Gambia12/25
- Guinea12/25
- Guinea-Bissau12/25
- Liberia12/25
- Lesotho12/25
- Madagascar12/25
- Mali12/25
- Mauritius12/25
- Malawi12/25
- Mozambique12/25
- Namibia12/25
- Niger12/25
- Rwanda12/25
- Seychelles12/25
- Sierra Leone12/25
- Senegal12/25
- South Sudan12/25
- Sao Tome and Principe12/25
- Eswatini12/25
- Chad12/25
- Togo12/25
- Tanzania12/25
- Uganda12/25
- Zambia12/25
- Zimbabwe12/25
- Montenegro12/26
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Boxing Day?
- 26 December is a public holiday across a surprisingly diverse range of traditions. In the United Kingdom and most of the Commonwealth (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa), it is known as Boxing Day. The name most likely derives from the tradition of opening church alms boxes for the poor on this day, or from the practice of servants and tradespeople receiving a "Christmas box" — a gift from their employers the day after Christmas.
- When is Boxing Day in 2026?
- Boxing Day falls on Friday, December 25, 2026 in most countries that observe it.
- When is Boxing Day in 2027?
- Boxing Day falls on Saturday, December 25, 2027 in most countries that observe it.
- How many countries observe Boxing Day?
- Boxing Day is observed as a public holiday in 144 countries, including Armenia, Serbia, Kosovo, United States, Canada.
- Is Boxing Day a public holiday?
- Yes — Boxing Day is recognised as a public holiday in 144 countries. Observance rules, names, and exact dates may differ by country.