Christian
Christmas Eve 2026 क्रिसमस की पूर्व संध्या
The Night Before Christmas
Thursday, 24 December 2026
In 2027: Friday, 24 December 2027
Christmas Eve is the evening before Christmas, when Christians decorate homes, sing carols and attend midnight Mass to welcome the birth of Jesus Christ.
How the date is fixed: The evening and night of 24 December, the day before Christmas
Why Christmas Eve is celebrated
Christmas Eve is the evening before Christmas, when Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Many churches follow the old custom of counting a feast from sunset, so the celebration of Christmas begins on this night. For families it is a time of prayer, carols and last-minute preparations.
History and story of Christmas Eve
Christians believe that Jesus was born in Bethlehem to Mary. The Gospels of Luke and Matthew describe shepherds and wise men coming to see the child. By the fourth century the Church in Rome was celebrating the birth of Jesus on 25 December, and the custom of a Mass at midnight grew from early practice in Rome and Jerusalem. In India, Christian tradition traces the faith back to the apostle Thomas in Kerala, and Christmas customs here mix European and local practices.
How Christmas Eve is celebrated
Families finish decorating the Christmas tree and set up a crib, a small scene of the nativity. Homes hang paper stars and lights. Carol groups go from house to house singing. The main event is the midnight Mass or vigil service, with readings, hymns and Holy Communion. Afterwards people greet each other and share plum cake, kulkuls and other sweets.
Important days and moments
- Carol singing (Evening of Thursday, 24 December 2026)
Church choirs and youth groups visit homes and neighbourhoods singing Christmas carols. - Midnight Mass (Late night, 24 to 25 December)
Churches hold a vigil service with readings, hymns and Holy Communion to welcome Christmas Day.
Christmas Eve across India
Goa, Kerala, the Northeast, Mumbai's Bandra and Kolkata's Park Street are known for their lively Christmas Eve. In Uttarakhand, churches in Dehradun and the old hill churches of Mussoorie and Nainital hold midnight services that draw people of all faiths.
Other names and related festivals
- Christmas Eve Vigil
- Night before Christmas
Frequently asked questions
When is Christmas Eve in 2026?
Christmas Eve falls on Thursday, 24 December 2026.
Is Christmas Eve a bank holiday?
Christmas Eve is not a bank holiday in any of the states covered here in 2026, so banks stay open unless the day is a Sunday or a second or fourth Saturday.
Where is Christmas Eve a restricted holiday?
Christmas Eve is a restricted (optional) holiday for state government employees in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, Assam, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh and Goa in 2026: employees may take it off, but offices stay open.
Is Christmas Eve a central government holiday?
Christmas Eve is a restricted holiday. Central government employees may take it as one of their two restricted holidays in the year.
Is the stock market closed on Christmas Eve?
No. Christmas Eve is not a trading holiday on NSE and BSE in 2026.
What are the other names of Christmas Eve?
Christmas Eve is also known as Christmas Eve Vigil, Night before Christmas.
Why is Christmas Eve celebrated?
It is the night before Christmas, when Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Many churches begin the Christmas celebration with a midnight service.
What is midnight Mass?
It is a church service held late on Christmas Eve, with prayers, carols and Holy Communion. It welcomes Christmas Day at midnight.
Is Christmas Eve a holiday in India?
It is a restricted holiday for central government staff. Christmas Day on 25 December is the public holiday.
Next Christian festivals (30 days)
No other festival in the next 30 days.
Major Christian festivals
- 25 DecFri
Christmas - 3 AprFri
Good Friday - 5 AprSun
Easter Sunday
Upcoming central government holidays
Holidays in your state
Bank, state government and school holidays differ from state to state. Pick your state:
Holidays and festivals calendar: October and November 2026
Central government holidays for all of India and major festivals. For bank, state government and school holidays, open your state: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal.
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Friday, 2 October Gandhi Jayanti Gandhi Jayanti on 2 October marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of India's freedom struggle and the voice of truth and non-violence. |
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Sunday, 11 October Sharad Navratri Sharad Navratri is the nine night autumn festival of the Goddess Durga, beginning with Ghatasthapana and leading up to Dussehra, with fasting, prayer, garba... |
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Saturday, 17 October Durga Puja Durga Puja celebrates Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura with grand pandals, dhak drums, prayers and feasts, especially in West Bengal and ea... |
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Tuesday, 20 October Dussehra Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, celebrates the victory of good over evil, recalling Lord Rama's defeat of Ravana and Goddess Durga's triumph over Mahishasura. |
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Sunday, 8 November Diwali Diwali, the festival of lights, celebrates the victory of light over darkness with Lakshmi Puja, rows of diyas, sweets and family gatherings on the new moon... |
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Sunday, 15 November Chhath Puja Chhath Puja is a four day festival of Bihar and eastern India in which devotees fast and offer arghya to the setting and rising Sun while standing in water. |
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Tuesday, 24 November Guru Nanak Jayanti Guru Nanak Jayanti, or Prakash Purab, celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, with prayers, nagar kirtans, langar and lit up gurdw... |
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Public holiday Major festival Today
- Sat, 17 Oct
Durga Puja - Tue, 20 Oct
Dussehra - Sun, 8 Nov
Diwali - Sun, 15 Nov
Chhath Puja - Tue, 24 Nov
Guru Nanak Jayanti