Boxing Day falls on December 26 each year and is a public holiday in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and many other Commonwealth countries. Originally a day for giving gifts to those in need, it has evolved into one of the biggest shopping and sports days of the year — with Premier League football fixtures, horse racing, and major sales dominating the calendar.
Boxing Day 2026 falls on Saturday, December 26, 2026. When it falls on a weekend, the following Monday is usually observed as the public holiday.
The most widely accepted origin is that it was the day when employers gave gift boxes to their servants and tradespeople. Another theory links it to church collection boxes opened to give to the poor.
In the UK and Commonwealth countries, Boxing Day features Premier League football, horse racing (like the King George VI Chase at Kempton), major retail sales, and family gatherings.
Use the live countdown above to see the exact number of days, hours, minutes, and seconds until Boxing Day.