What is Christmas Eve?

Christmas Eve is December 24 — the evening before Christmas Day. In many countries, it is the main night of celebration, with gift-giving, feasting, and church services.

Christmas Eve: History and Significance

Christmas Eve is the evening and night preceding Christmas Day, observed on December 24. The word "eve" is an archaic form of "evening", and historically referred to the evening before a feast day. In traditional Christian liturgical practice, a day begins at sunset — so the evening of December 24 marks the actual start of the Christmas feast, not merely a prelude to it.

This liturgical origin explains why Christmas Eve is, in many parts of the world, the more important of the two days. The Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox traditions, and many Protestant denominations hold their main Christmas services on the evening of December 24 — the most famous being Midnight Mass, which begins at (or near) midnight to mark the precise start of Christmas Day.

The tradition of gift-giving on Christmas Eve also has deep roots. In many European countries, the historical gift-bringer — St. Nicholas, the Christ Child (Christkind), or Father Christmas — was associated with the evening of December 24, not the morning of December 25. This pattern survives today across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Scandinavia, and Latin America, where December 24 remains the primary celebration night.

Did You Know?

The carol "Silent Night" (Stille Nacht) was first performed on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1818, at the Church of St. Nicholas in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria. It is now one of the most recognised songs in the world, translated into over 300 languages.

Christmas Eve Traditions Around the World

Germany, Austria & Switzerland — Heiligabend

In German-speaking countries, Christmas Eve is called Heiligabend (Holy Evening) and is the central Christmas celebration. Families decorate the Christmas tree together on December 24, attend a church service, and then gather in the evening for gift-giving. Children eagerly await the Christkind (Christ Child) or Weihnachtsmann (Father Christmas) who brings presents. Christmas Day (December 25) and St. Stephen's Day (December 26) are quieter days for visiting family.

France — Réveillon

In France, Christmas Eve features the Réveillon — a grand late-night feast held after Midnight Mass. The word réveillon comes from réveiller, to wake up or revive, referring to the staying-up-late nature of the celebration. Traditional Réveillon dishes include oysters, foie gras, smoked salmon, roasted capon or turkey, cheese, and the iconic Bûche de Noël (Yule log cake). The feast can last until the early hours of December 25.

Italy — La Vigilia

In Italy, Christmas Eve is known as La Vigilia (The Vigil) and is traditionally observed as a fast day — no meat is eaten. Instead, families gather for the Feast of the Seven Fishes, a meatless meal featuring seven different seafood dishes. This tradition is particularly strong in southern Italy and has been carried to Italian communities in the United States. Common dishes include baccalà (salt cod), calamari, shrimp, clams, mussels, sardines, and anchovies.

Scandinavia — Julafton / Juleaften

In Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland, Christmas Eve (Julafton in Swedish, Juleaften in Norwegian and Danish) is the main Christmas celebration. Families watch traditional Christmas TV programmes in the afternoon, then gather for a festive feast. Gifts are brought by Jultomten (Sweden) or Julenissen (Norway) — a gnome-like figure who arrives in person or leaves gifts under the tree. Churches hold services on Christmas Eve as well.

United Kingdom — Christmas Eve

In the UK, Christmas Eve is celebrated but December 25 remains the primary day. Children hang stockings by the fireplace on Christmas Eve for Father Christmas (Santa Claus) to fill overnight — leaving out mince pies and a glass of brandy or milk for him, and a carrot for his reindeer. Many people attend Midnight Mass or a Carol Service on Christmas Eve. Last-minute shopping is a common Christmas Eve activity, and many families watch Christmas specials on television.

United States — Christmas Eve

In the United States, Christmas Eve is a major but secondary celebration — the primary day remains Christmas morning (December 25), when children wake early to find gifts from Santa Claus. On Christmas Eve, families attend church services, many of which are at or near midnight. Children leave out milk and cookies for Santa and carrots for his reindeer before bed. Many families open one gift on Christmas Eve as a special treat. The NORAD Santa Tracker has become a beloved Christmas Eve tradition since 1955, allowing children to follow Santa's journey around the globe.

Latin America — Nochebuena

Across Latin America — including Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, and Argentina — Christmas Eve is called Nochebuena (Good Night or Holy Night). It is the primary Christmas celebration. Families gather for a large feast, attend Misa de Gallo (Midnight Mass, literally Rooster Mass), and exchange gifts at midnight. Fireworks are common at midnight in many Latin American countries. Traditional foods vary by country: tamales in Mexico, hallacas (corn parcels) in Venezuela, and pan de jamón (ham bread) are popular.

Did You Know?

In Japan, Christmas Eve is celebrated more widely than Christmas Day itself — and it is primarily a romantic occasion rather than a family holiday. Christmas Eve dinner for couples at restaurants is highly popular, and Kentucky Fried Chicken has become a Christmas Eve tradition since KFC Japan launched its "Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii" (Kentucky for Christmas) campaign in 1974.

Frequently Asked Questions

Christmas Eve is December 24 — the evening before Christmas Day (December 25). In many countries it is the primary night of Christmas celebration, with gift-giving, feasting, and church services.
The word "eve" means "evening before". In Christian tradition, days begin at sunset — so the evening of December 24 is technically the start of Christmas Day, making it the Eve of Christmas.
Heiligabend is German for "Holy Evening" — the German name for Christmas Eve. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Heiligabend (December 24) is the main Christmas celebration, with gift-giving and family gatherings in the evening.
Réveillon is the French Christmas Eve feast, traditionally held after Midnight Mass. It features seafood, foie gras, and the Bûche de Noël (Yule log cake). The word means "awakening", referring to staying up late to celebrate.
La Vigilia is the Italian Christmas Eve tradition of the Feast of the Seven Fishes — a meatless meal featuring seven fish and seafood dishes, following the Catholic tradition of fasting from meat on Christmas Eve.
Nochebuena (Good Night / Holy Night) is Christmas Eve in Spanish-speaking countries. It is the primary Christmas celebration across Latin America and Spain — featuring a large feast, Midnight Mass (Misa de Gallo), and gift-giving at midnight.
Yes. Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve is one of the most attended church services of the year in Catholic, Orthodox, and many Protestant traditions. Services celebrate the birth of Jesus and often feature carol singing.
In Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Scandinavia, gifts are traditionally opened on Christmas Eve (December 24). In the UK, US, and Australia, gifts are opened on Christmas morning (December 25). Many families mix both traditions.
Christmas Eve is a public holiday in many countries including Germany, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Argentina. It is not a federal public holiday in the US or UK, though many businesses close early on December 24.
In many traditions, children hang stockings or set out shoes on Christmas Eve for Santa Claus to fill overnight. In the US and UK, children leave milk and cookies (or mince pies) for Santa and carrots for his reindeer. Many children also track Santa's journey using the NORAD Santa Tracker.

Christmas Eve is December 24 — the evening before Christmas Day. In many countries it is the main night of Christmas celebration. Key traditions: Germany/Austria/Switzerland celebrate Heiligabend (gift-giving on Dec 24); France holds the Réveillon feast after Midnight Mass; Italy observes La Vigilia with the Feast of the Seven Fishes; Scandinavia celebrates Julafton/Juleaften as the main Christmas night; Latin America celebrates Nochebuena with Misa de Gallo (Midnight Mass). In the UK and US, December 25 is the primary celebration day, though church attendance on Christmas Eve is high. Christmas Eve is a public holiday in Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, and several other countries. "Silent Night" was first performed on Christmas Eve 1818 in Austria.