Get ready for the festive season! Christmas is fast approaching, bringing with it the joy of jingle bells, heartwarming traditions, and the classic colors of red and green. As the most wonderful time of the year gets closer, knowing the exact date of Christmas is essential for planning your holidays effectively.
You might be asking yourself, “What Day Is Christmas this year?” We’re here to provide you with all the details you need. Interestingly, this year’s calendar is a bit different due to the leap day we had on February 29th. This extra day subtly shifts our usual holiday dates.
Knowing the precise day for Christmas celebrations, along with Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, allows you to make timely arrangements for a smooth transition into 2025.
While December might still seem distant, remember that the holiday season is packed with activities. From finding the perfect gifts and coordinating travel to hosting loved ones, early preparation is key.
So, let’s get ahead of the holiday rush, with a little help from the spirit of Santa Claus, and ensure everything is set – stockings hung by the fireplace and cookies ready for Santa – well in advance of the big day.
Here’s everything you need to know about when Christmas falls this year and in the coming years, helping you plan your festive season perfectly.
What Day is Christmas 2024?
Christmas Day is consistently celebrated on December 25th each year. Unlike holidays like Easter or Thanksgiving that shift dates, Christmas remains firmly on the 25th of December annually. However, the day of the week Christmas falls on does change.
Last year, Christmas Day was on a Monday. Typically, following a normal year, Christmas would naturally fall on a Tuesday this year. However, because 2024 is a leap year, Christmas is pushed one day later in the week.
Therefore, in 2024, Christmas Day is on Wednesday, December 25th.
For those who love to plan ahead, you might be curious about Christmas in 2025. Since 2025 is not a leap year, Christmas Day will be on a Thursday. Looking further ahead to 2026, Christmas will thankfully arrive on a Friday, gifting us with the bonus of a delightful three-day weekend.
When is Christmas Eve 2024?
If you are coordinating travel or aiming to finalize your Christmas shopping, knowing the date of Christmas Eve in 2024 is crucial. Christmas Eve is always the day before Christmas Day.
This year, Christmas Eve will be on Tuesday, December 24, 2024.
Similar to Christmas Day, Christmas Eve also falls mid-week in 2024. This positioning offers a couple of extra days to wrap up any last-minute gift shopping or errands. It also means that postal services and banks will be operating for any final holiday mailings or transactions you need to handle before closures on December 25th for Christmas Day.
When is New Year’s Eve 2024 and New Year’s Day 2025?
Christmas and New Year’s are precisely one week apart, with New Year’s Eve occurring exactly seven days after Christmas Eve.
In 2024, New Year’s Eve is on Tuesday, December 31st. Consequently, New Year’s Day will be on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
However you plan to welcome 2025, knowing these dates means you can anticipate a shorter, four-day workweek to start the new year.
Remember, banks, credit unions, government offices (including post offices), and schools will be closed on both Wednesday, December 25th, 2024, and Wednesday, January 1st, 2025, in observance of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day respectively. Plan accordingly for any services you may need around these dates.
Knowing “what day is Christmas” and the surrounding holidays is more than just a calendar detail—it’s your starting point for a well-organized and joyful holiday season. Start your preparations now to make the most of this special time of year!
