Christmas is the most widely celebrated holiday on Earth, observed by more than two billion people across over 160 countries. Held every year on December 25, it commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ for Christians and has grown into a global cultural and commercial season embraced by people of all backgrounds. The weeks leading up to the day — known as the Christmas season or Advent — are marked by decorating homes and trees, exchanging gifts, listening to carols, and gathering with family.
The modern Christmas we recognise today is a blend of ancient winter festivals, Christian tradition, and 19th-century reinvention. Many of its most iconic elements — the decorated fir tree, Santa Claus, stockings by the fireplace — were popularised in Britain and the United States during the Victorian era. Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (1843) cemented ideals of generosity and family togetherness that still define the holiday. Today Christmas is the single largest retail event on the global calendar, with consumers in the US alone spending over $900 billion during the holiday season.
Whether you celebrate with religious services, a family roast dinner, a Secret Santa office party, or a quiet evening watching films, the countdown to Christmas builds a shared sense of anticipation that cuts across cultures. The live counter above shows the exact days, hours, minutes and seconds remaining until December 25.
How many days until Christmas?
The live counter at the top of this page shows the exact days, hours, minutes and seconds until December 25.
What day is Christmas 2026?
Christmas Day 2026 falls on a Friday, December 25.
What day is Christmas 2027?
Christmas Day 2027 falls on a Saturday, December 25.
How many weeks until Christmas?
Divide the days shown in the counter by 7 to get the number of weeks. For example, 70 days = exactly 10 weeks.
When is Christmas Eve?
Christmas Eve is always December 24 — the evening before Christmas Day. Many families hold their main celebrations on Christmas Eve night.
Is Christmas a public holiday everywhere?
Christmas is a public holiday in over 160 countries. In some countries such as Saudi Arabia and China it is not an official holiday, though it may still be commercially celebrated.
Why is Christmas on December 25?
December 25 was chosen by the early Christian Church in the 4th century. It coincides with existing winter solstice festivals, making it easier to adopt as a Christian celebration.
What is Advent?
Advent is the four-week period before Christmas, beginning on the Sunday nearest to November 30. It is a time of spiritual preparation in the Christian tradition and is now widely associated with Advent calendars and Christmas decorations.
What are the 12 Days of Christmas?
The 12 Days of Christmas run from December 25 to January 5 (the eve of Epiphany). They are distinct from the lead-up to Christmas and are celebrated in many Christian traditions as the Christmas season proper.
What is the most popular Christmas gift?
Electronics consistently top Christmas gift lists in the US, UK and Australia. Gift cards, toys, clothing and books are also perennial favourites. Mobile phones and gaming consoles are among the single most-requested items.
How much do people spend on Christmas?
In the United States, holiday retail spending typically exceeds $900 billion per season. UK consumers average around £600 per household, and Australians spend approximately AUD $500 per person on gifts.
When should I start Christmas shopping?
Retailers recommend starting by late October or early November to take advantage of sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday and to avoid late shipping delays.